Saying Goodbye to Pippin - A Once in a Lifetime Dog
10:00 am Friday, Oct. 13th 2017
My old vet, Dr. Bennett, taught me that the greatest and most difficult of responsibilities I have to my dogs who have given me so much is to know when it is time to say goodbye. This becomes all the more difficult when that time comes suddenly and unexpectedly and the dog I am making that decision about is my once in a life time boy, Pippin. But yesterday morning, when it became clear he was loosing his battle against Leptospirosis, that he was suffering and he would never regain his quality of life, I knew it was time to make that decision and to say goodbye to the most kindest soul I have ever known.
I've always said that Pippin's mom, Jive, is my heart dog but that in no way meant that Pippin wasn't right there in my heart along side Jive. The truth is that Pippin's heart was so big, he had so much unconditional love to give, that early on I learned I needed to share him with everyone that needed his love. A friend yesterday called him "The People's Dog" and while Pippin had many accomplishments, especially in the show ring, I think it is his big heart, gentle soul and how he could always make you smile that he will be best remembered for by all who knew and loved him. I was however the one who was privileged to have his love in my life every day and now there is just such an unimaginable aching void. My heart is not just broken, it is shattered. Run free My Buddy Boy, I know your spirit will always be beside my bed every night even if your body is no longer there. Love you always!
My old vet, Dr. Bennett, taught me that the greatest and most difficult of responsibilities I have to my dogs who have given me so much is to know when it is time to say goodbye. This becomes all the more difficult when that time comes suddenly and unexpectedly and the dog I am making that decision about is my once in a life time boy, Pippin. But yesterday morning, when it became clear he was loosing his battle against Leptospirosis, that he was suffering and he would never regain his quality of life, I knew it was time to make that decision and to say goodbye to the most kindest soul I have ever known.
I've always said that Pippin's mom, Jive, is my heart dog but that in no way meant that Pippin wasn't right there in my heart along side Jive. The truth is that Pippin's heart was so big, he had so much unconditional love to give, that early on I learned I needed to share him with everyone that needed his love. A friend yesterday called him "The People's Dog" and while Pippin had many accomplishments, especially in the show ring, I think it is his big heart, gentle soul and how he could always make you smile that he will be best remembered for by all who knew and loved him. I was however the one who was privileged to have his love in my life every day and now there is just such an unimaginable aching void. My heart is not just broken, it is shattered. Run free My Buddy Boy, I know your spirit will always be beside my bed every night even if your body is no longer there. Love you always!
