To Everything there is a season

Oreo

For many of us who have pets we eventually must face the agonizing day when we are forced to say goodbye. In the many years of being a pet lover and owner I have been in that situation more than once with the heart break and sadness that this brings.

Recently my 15 year old Shih Tzu had to make her journey to her days of final rest.

My pets are my fur babies, and I take the responsibility of their care and well being as a priority. My pets have always offered to me unconditional love and understanding as well as the moments of laughter, joy and happiness. I have often joked that I have a stronger connection with animals then I do with most people. Animals don't judge or criticize and are faithful companions when they are being treated with love, respect and kindness.  When there seems to be no one that will listen or lend a shoulder I can count on my pets to be there even if I soak their fur with my tears. They have never abandoned  me and their energy alone gives me strength in some of my weakest and  emotional moments.

I rescued Oreo from a pet store nearly 15 years ago.  I don't believe in Pet stores and always feel badly for the animals who have to endure living in those cages,sometimes for a very long while waiting for someone to take them to their forever home. My children were very young at the time and we wandered into the pet store where we saw this adorable ball of white and black fluff! I knew the moment I held her that she belonged to our family. Previous to Oreo my only experience was with large breed dogs.  I had a tri color collie growing up as a child and then went on in my adult years rescuing a yellow lab named "Dixie" and a black lab named "Sketch". I had always thought how wonderful it would be to have a small lap dog to tuck under the sheets at night and curl up with while reading a good book or just be able to pick up and cuddle with. We brought Oreo home on a dark stormy November evening and she settled into her new environment and family. The interesting thing about animals as with people is that they have uniquely their own personalities and attitudes.  Oreo as it turns out was not a cuddly, affectionate dog.  She didn't want to be picked up or kissed and smothered with affection but enjoyed being stroked and talked too and she did like to cuddle up at the end of our bed each and every night.  She was playful at times and enjoyed to kick her heels up and romp around the yard but never was really interested in toys.  We lovingly called her our "SAP" Shih Tzu American Princess!!  She was a small dog not more than 15 pounds but she certainly had a big dog mentality.  There were times that her larger sisters and brother dogs were intimidated by her and kept a healthy distance she was the leader of the pack! 

Last March my six year old Golden Retriever, Buster tragically died.  He developed a fast growing cancer and could not be cured.  We made the agonizing decision to let him go with dignity and not suffer as he would while the cancer kept growing. His death was and still is difficult to accept as his life was tragically cut short.  With Oreo I have the same sadness and grief however unlike Buster she lived a long and healthy life with us for fifteen years. 

I will and have already missed her and somehow the dynamics in the house have taken a shift,but she left me with wonderful and loving memories and there is a permanently  stamped paw print on my heart with her name that will be there forever.

I picked up her ashes today, it was difficult, but now I know that she is home with us where she belongs.

Thank you Oreo for the love.....until the day we meet at the bridge, rest in peace my little girl.