Goodbye, Ralph
Dec. 23rd, 2006 03:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brightlotusmoonIt happened.
Today.
We woke up well after noon. Adam went downstairs to let Ralph out. I got up and got dressed. Sometime later, Adam came upstairs and said that Ralph wasn't doing well, and it was time to call the vet. He had just cleaned up the living room; Ralph had been unable to get up. At all. He couldn't stand on his own. His back legs wouldn't work. And that was the sign.
We got a towel for the car's back seat. Adam got Ralph up and walked him to the door. I got Jason and Danny so they could say goodbye. Adam, Ralph and I walked to the car. Ralph's hip dysplasia had gotten so bad that his back legs were almost moving sideways and crossed. We got him in the car and drove to the vet.
From then on, it was similar to what happened with Tuesday. Except when the orderly brought Ralph back in to the little room with the IV needles taped to his paws, we chose to spend some time with Ralph. Ralph was still full of energy, happy and loving, showering his master with kisses. It was all he wanted; to be with Adam till the end. Adam sat on the floor and Ralph lay on his lap and they played and cried together.
Finally, a doctor came in. We all sat with Ralph for a while. The doctor said that Ralph at 21 was the oldest medium or large breed dog he had ever euthanized. He said Ralph was in good health other than his legs and his age. The man was very, very sweet and sympathetic. He injected the first needle, the painkiller/sedative. But Ralph, unexpectedly, did not sleep. He was still trying to get up, trying to go to Adam for one last hug. And then, with the final injection, Ralph lifted his head, barked, and looked straight at Adam.
And then he lay down.
And he stopped moving.
We went back to the car. Adam burst into tears long and hard. I was crying silently. He called his mother; I called mine. We started home.
We're home now. The house feels different, of course.
We did the right thing. We did the best thing. Ralph is at peace.
Two pets in six weeks.
Today.
We woke up well after noon. Adam went downstairs to let Ralph out. I got up and got dressed. Sometime later, Adam came upstairs and said that Ralph wasn't doing well, and it was time to call the vet. He had just cleaned up the living room; Ralph had been unable to get up. At all. He couldn't stand on his own. His back legs wouldn't work. And that was the sign.
We got a towel for the car's back seat. Adam got Ralph up and walked him to the door. I got Jason and Danny so they could say goodbye. Adam, Ralph and I walked to the car. Ralph's hip dysplasia had gotten so bad that his back legs were almost moving sideways and crossed. We got him in the car and drove to the vet.
From then on, it was similar to what happened with Tuesday. Except when the orderly brought Ralph back in to the little room with the IV needles taped to his paws, we chose to spend some time with Ralph. Ralph was still full of energy, happy and loving, showering his master with kisses. It was all he wanted; to be with Adam till the end. Adam sat on the floor and Ralph lay on his lap and they played and cried together.
Finally, a doctor came in. We all sat with Ralph for a while. The doctor said that Ralph at 21 was the oldest medium or large breed dog he had ever euthanized. He said Ralph was in good health other than his legs and his age. The man was very, very sweet and sympathetic. He injected the first needle, the painkiller/sedative. But Ralph, unexpectedly, did not sleep. He was still trying to get up, trying to go to Adam for one last hug. And then, with the final injection, Ralph lifted his head, barked, and looked straight at Adam.
And then he lay down.
And he stopped moving.
We went back to the car. Adam burst into tears long and hard. I was crying silently. He called his mother; I called mine. We started home.
We're home now. The house feels different, of course.
We did the right thing. We did the best thing. Ralph is at peace.
Two pets in six weeks.
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no subject
Date: 2006-12-23 09:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-23 09:17 pm (UTC)We had been hoping Ralph could make it past Christmas, but something in me knew he most likely wouldn't...
no subject
Date: 2006-12-23 09:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-23 09:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-23 09:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-23 09:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-23 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-24 01:41 am (UTC)honey...i am so sorry.
and i honestly know how you feel.
(i have 4 cats that are all aged within 6 months of each other and are all over 12 years old)
*hugs*
if you need to talk...i am here...all night...
no subject
Date: 2006-12-24 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-24 02:36 am (UTC)I'm sorry. I'm thinking about you. I know how hard putting a pet down can be, especially one that is like a member of your family.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-24 05:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-24 05:48 am (UTC){{hugs to you both}}
no subject
Date: 2006-12-24 08:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-24 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-27 04:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-27 05:47 pm (UTC)Much love to you and Adam and the rest of the family.