CH Dimond's Major Attitude SC
"Bodhi"
June 25, 1999 - February 10, 2009
He was my love, my shadow, my Bodhi.
He and I were bonded like I have never been with any of my other dogs.
I love all my girls, but he was *my boy* - we were inseparable.
Like he had lived his whole life, everything was on his terms and
his last 2 days were no different.
He knew that I wouldn't be able to watch him suffer and he
didn't let me. He was fine up the weekend and had spent the last 13 weeks
standing guard over the whelping box which held his grandkids. He stopped eating on a sunday evening and we only learned just Tuesday morning that he even had cancer, and by that time it was the end. There was no choice to be made. It was everywhere and he had never even showed me a sign.
Surrounded by myself, my husband, and 2 of my dearest friends on Tuesday the 10th
through many tears, such wonderful memories, and so much love I held him in my lap, and quietly and peacefully let him go. Walking away was so much harder than anything I had imagined. I imagine when I go pick him up this afternoon at the vets it will be just as hard.
He didn't suffer at all and for that I thank him. Ridgebacks are just so stoic and it is both a gift and a curse. I just wish I had more time to take another long walk with my boy.
Hug your dogs. Enjoy them. Bodhi's last gift to me was to remind me to appreciate every day as you never know what tomorrow holds.
2 weeks later and still so heartbroken,
Liz
