July 25, 2020
July, 2020
As anyone who has ever owned a dog can attest, they quickly and deeply insinuate themselves into your life. Also, the minute we bring them home we know that one day they're going to break our hearts. These facts were recently brought home to me by my fourth dog Bernadette.
At the far too-young age of eight years, she developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I had heard of IBS and, in fact, knew some people who had it. To my knowledge, you changed your diet, maybe took a pill, and you got on with your life. I had no sense of finality about it. I also didn’t know (this is what I get for dozing through high school biology class) that the stomach doesn’t take in nutrition from the things you eat. It only prepares food for digestion then sends it to the intestines. If the intestinal walls are inflamed, as with IBS, nutrients aren't absorbed. And that’s what happened.
Bernadette lost more than 25% of her body weight in less than a month. Regaining some of that was critical to her survival and we worked at it diligently with the help of two experienced veterinarians. Her diet was limited to bland, low fat food and even then, she often had trouble keeping it down. In her last couple of days she stopped eating altogether.
It was extremely painful to watch. Greyhounds are naturally lean, but she was skin and bones; a walking anatomy lesson. Despite that and the weakness resulting from her dramatic weight loss, she was still her sweet smiling self. Which only made the decision to end her life that much harder.
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Before we hit the road, Bernadette was a big part of my life. Traveling solo probably made her an even bigger presence. She was my constant companion. She was intelligent, contagiously serene, ever uncomplaining. She knew my worst quirks and imperfections (of which there are many) and she loved me anyway. In a word, she was perfect.
We used to walk a mile in the morning and a half-mile or so in the afternoon or evening. She did so with grace and ease and she always enjoyed it. More than that, she loved meeting people along the way. Although she had her favorites (you know who you are), she wanted to meet everyone and just knew they all wanted to meet her.
For too brief a time she filled my home with her presence and filled my life with untold joy. But for the pain of her loss, those spaces are empty now; as empty as the places where her beds rested and her toys were stored.
But I know they won’t be that way for long. One day soon the events of the past month will begin to fade and that big hole in my heart will fill with nothing but warm memories. There she’ll live forever.
Rest in peace sweet girl.
Leave a comment below ⇓
at the beach shedding salty tears for you- tears that also contain gratitude for the special bond you and B had and the memories that will help fill the place she left open. ?
Steve, Your love and knowledge of Greyhounds encouraged us to adopt two girls. Not only did you save sweet Bernadette, you helped us with ours. You gave Bernadette a wonderful life as you have with your others. Please know we care and appreciate all you have done and will do for Greyhounds.
Cindy & James R.
There are no words to ease the pain of your loss. Those of us that Bernadette included in her life are much richer having that experience. Enjoy running with Roxanne and your other friends.
My heart is breaking for you! She was soooo precious. I’m so glad she helped Debbie through her loss of Vinny. Plus getting to hang out with Moondoggie! Love and huge hugs to you! She had the best Dad ever!!!
So sorry to hear of your loss, we just received the msg today. They come into our lives and totally take over our heart. You were such an awesome daddy to her, both of your lives were better because you had each other.