Your Pet Tributes

by Sarah Nale
(Texas)

We lost our Rita yesterday, July 7, 2011.

Margarita, well, no one actually called you that, you were always Rita to us. Sorry that my brother named you after a drink, but what could you expect? He was about to turn 21. But this isn't about him, it is about you.

You were the best four legged friend I could have ever asked for. You were always so excited to see any one of 'your humans' and it was impossible not to smile when you were wagging your tail and then flopping on the floor for a tummy rub.

I know things started to go downhill last year when you jumped out of the raised tub while we bathed you. It was a terrifying time for all of us, but you, again, kept our spirits up with regaining the movement in your tail first just so you could wag it and let us know that everything was OK. I will admit that those 3-ish weeks of having to carry you outside to do your business and holding you up were not my favorite thing the first few days, but then they became special since it was you and me time. And thank you for never doing your business on my feet even though you got close at times. Your recovery was amazing, even the vet said so! But I know that you never fully recovered from it.

When you gave me that look last week letting me know that you were ready when we were it saddened me a bit, but I knew that it was for the best. And you even hung around for my brother to come say goodbye.

Yesterday I got to spend the morning with her and for the first time in about 2 years she rolled over onto her back to ask for a tummy rub. I gave her the best tummy rub that I could and it lasted well over two hours.

Later that day (er, 1pm) the vet came to our house to put our beloved dog to sleep. We took her out on the screened in porch where she spend quite a bit of time and laid her on her bed that we carried out. After the anaesthesia was administered Rita spent her last minutes of awareness licking my hand and leg to let me know that it was OK and comforting me as I stroked her head. After the second injection she literally took one last breath and that was it. The fastest passing the vet had ever seen, she told us. We knew her body was giving out, but with her mind still being there and that spark still in her eyes it was a hard decision, though with that one breath we knew that it had been the right thing no matter how hard a decision it was.

I know that you will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge, but I also know that you are enjoying all the tummy rubs, naps, treats and renewed youth. Rita, I know that you wouldn't want us to be sad, but we miss you so much that it's hard not to cry. Even Tangie the crazy cat misses you. Yes, I know that she use to tease you and even on occasion gave you a pop or two on the nose (not with claws though!), but yesterday after you passed she walked into the utility room and looked for you. She sniffed everywhere before turning to me and meowing a meow I have never heard before.

Just remember that I, we, love you and know that we will see you again one day.