My beautiful Mastiff, Darren has passed on to the next part of the journey. One day he'll be waiting for me when I pass over, I hope.
He was the sweetest creature of any species I ever encountered in my life, completely without guile or pretense. He loved everyone he ever met and, as a friend said yesterday, "Everyone who met Darren had to smile."
Big enough to eat right off the top of the stove, if he'd been so bold, he was a true gentleman who never used his size to intimidate or bully. I often said the only way he would ever bite might be if someone were covered in gravy, and even then, he'd probably just lick. Darren was an old boy, especially by big dog standards, and he led a full and happy life.
Two years ago we found out he had a growth on his spleen, but because of his age we opted to pass on surgery. The tumor grew, but Darren continued to live and play far longer than we ever expected. He also had a problematic vertebra and continued to carry around his 160 pounds with bright eyes and a big, drooly smile that said it didn't matter. He was stronger than Kelly or I ever thought, and we will always be proud of him for being such a courageous boy. But yesterday, his struggle had become too much, and his long legs could barely stand. He had not eaten anything to speak of in nearly a week and his srength was gone.
I am blessed to have a wonderful vet (David Wilkinson) who came out to my home and administered the shot. Darren and I listened to peaceful music and burned incense while we waited. He even licked at some strawberry yogurt and I wiped the milky smudge off his big nose. Then he lay down and stayed there to the end, not putting up a fight, just drifting gently away while I rubbed his soft head.
After Kelly and I said our last goodbyes, my dear friends from the local crematory came in and hugged us both. They wrapped Darren in a body bag and placed him on the gurney with all the respect they would give a person. It was the best way to deal with a very sad situation I could have asked for and I feel blessed to know such good people.And, of course I feel blessed to have shared my life with Darren.
"And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest..."
He was the sweetest creature of any species I ever encountered in my life, completely without guile or pretense. He loved everyone he ever met and, as a friend said yesterday, "Everyone who met Darren had to smile."
Big enough to eat right off the top of the stove, if he'd been so bold, he was a true gentleman who never used his size to intimidate or bully. I often said the only way he would ever bite might be if someone were covered in gravy, and even then, he'd probably just lick. Darren was an old boy, especially by big dog standards, and he led a full and happy life.
Two years ago we found out he had a growth on his spleen, but because of his age we opted to pass on surgery. The tumor grew, but Darren continued to live and play far longer than we ever expected. He also had a problematic vertebra and continued to carry around his 160 pounds with bright eyes and a big, drooly smile that said it didn't matter. He was stronger than Kelly or I ever thought, and we will always be proud of him for being such a courageous boy. But yesterday, his struggle had become too much, and his long legs could barely stand. He had not eaten anything to speak of in nearly a week and his srength was gone.
I am blessed to have a wonderful vet (David Wilkinson) who came out to my home and administered the shot. Darren and I listened to peaceful music and burned incense while we waited. He even licked at some strawberry yogurt and I wiped the milky smudge off his big nose. Then he lay down and stayed there to the end, not putting up a fight, just drifting gently away while I rubbed his soft head.
After Kelly and I said our last goodbyes, my dear friends from the local crematory came in and hugged us both. They wrapped Darren in a body bag and placed him on the gurney with all the respect they would give a person. It was the best way to deal with a very sad situation I could have asked for and I feel blessed to know such good people.And, of course I feel blessed to have shared my life with Darren.
"And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest..."
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