The world's greatest dog.
- Doug’s wishful hunting dog!
When we took our vows a few months ago, we didn’t realize that the for better, for worse part would be put into effect right away. The better parts have been amazing….the wedding weekend, the honeymoon, settling in as newlyweds, and earlier this month, I accepted a new position. I am now the Corporate Communications Manager for Trans States, GoJet and Compass Airlines. It is a great opportunity for me to get back into the corporate world and learn the exciting inside life of the airlines. I am really enjoying the job and the industry.
The “for worse” part? As I mentioned in an earlier post, our golden retriever Griffey faced some serious health issues since the beginning of December…we just didnt realize how serious. After numerous visits to the vet and animal hospital, a series of medications and tests and endless phone calls to the vet, we realized he was sufferring from a neuro muscular disorder, and that it was attacking his system aggressively. The first two weeks of January, he took a turn for the worse. It was heartbreaking to see him go downhill…his loss of appetite (and this was a dog that would eat anything you put in front of him), his trouble using his lower motor muscles (bladder, colon and even his hind legs), but most of all, he lost his spunk. An active puppy-like dog for his entire 10 years, the last two weeks, he barely met us at the door when we came home, didnt beg for treats or chase the kitty. I knew something was terribly wrong. Our last trip to the vet was one of the worst of my life…a discussion around the quality of life he had left, and euthanasia (the dreaded word I had been wanting to avoid, but the word that my gut knew was inevitable). That Friday night trip to the vet’s office, when our trusted and loved vet told us that Griffey is just “not” eating, he doesnt “want” to eat about broke my heart. I knew then that he was suffering more than he was letting on. We decided to make him comfortable with some drugs for his last weekend at home. Doug and I spent the very next weekend by his side, giving him as many special treats as he would eat…his favorite McDonald’s french fries, ice cream and even venison steak his Daddy made him. We slept on the floor with him, we took turns sitting by his side petting him, we even took him for a final walk, where we noticed he was losing muscle control in his front paw. Again, my heart broke. He had visitors come by all weekend to see him and say goodbye. We told him about the Rainbow Bridge and all the fun he would have, pain free and full of energy again. I prayed that God would take care of him, and I prayed I would survive the next few days. That Monday morning on my daily call to our vet, I told him I knew it was time…and I could tell Griffey was ready to go as well, as he had a difficult night. Doug and I drove him to the vet’s office, the longest drive of my life, where we said our goodbyes and stayed with him until the very end. Leaving the vet’s office without him was something I almost wasnt physically able to do.
Saying goodbye was only part of the heartbreak, it was coming home without him and moving through our daily life without him. Doug and I have both been very sad, and our house now seemed lifeless without this 100 pound furball of energy. Now, just two weeks later, I still feel an overwhleming sense of sadness and loss. Although Doug only had inherited him when he took me on, Griffey quickly became Doug’s best friend and they had a special bond. But for me, this was a puppy I raised from just 7 weeks old, who was a daily part of my life, and the decisions I made that were about him (like choosing an SUV so he would be comfortable), were all part of the profound sadness I feel of losing my best and most loyal friend. He was more than my pet, he was my family and he brought me much joy every day.
I am recapping my thoughts on Griffey in another post, but it has been difficult to write as the emotions and loss are still very new, but hopefully I can finish it and post it soon. Griffey was an amazing dog, Doug and I received over 60 comments on Facebook, numerous texts and phone calls, flowers and tons of cards over our loss. This confirms that not only was Griffey an unique and special dog, but it also confirms that pet lovers understand the sadness and heartbreak that comes with owning and losing a beloved pet. This is quite possibly the saddest thing to ever happen to me.
We miss and talk about Griffey every day, and we pray he is swimming away at the Rainbow Bridge having the time of his life.
Jaime & Doug Plus One 