Saturday, January 31, 2009

She's Gone



I haven't seen Babs in a week. I figure she's passed on.

She hadn't been eating much lately. By itself, that was no big deal - she and the neighbor's terrier would alternate eating here and at their place. For several days, the dog dish couldn't be filled often enough, then it would sit full for several days.

It wasn't unusual not to see her for a couple days - often she was visiting the neighbors when I got home late and she was off asleep in her doghouse when I left early - like 5am-ish. She wasn't always here waiting for me to get home.

Winters seemed to be getting to her more each year. She never did her happy dance this winter. She didn't want to climb the steps to the porch for her treats at times. I could never tell if she was in pain - she hid that very well. I felt her joints and there was no indication - which didn't surprise me. She might well have been in severe pain, but just refused to show it. She was the same way with some infected bites she received over the years - they had to hurt, but I never was allowed to know it. Her pain was manifest in her lack of trust for humans - she had no problem showing that.

Last weekend, the last time I saw her, I had to hand deliver her treats. She wagged her tail, and ate one. Again, no obvious signs of pain, just that she apparently didn't feel well. Lackluster would describe it pretty well.

There was no way I was going to get her to a vet. She had never ridden before, and had absolutely no interest and in fact a great deal of fear regarding a pickup ride. She never wore a collar. Anything "new" like that sent her running for cover. Whoever abused her did a good job - she was basically scared of just about everything. Babs liked things a certain way and the same way all the time. Familiarity was her friend. New experiences were to be avoided.

She was a survivor, though. She wasn't afraid to eat a lot of things that disgust us - like cat turds, cow pies and such. She had been on her own for quite some time before she landed here and I started trying to gain her trust.

My neighbor hadn't seen her, either. Her doghouse is empty. The spot in the bushes where she liked to nestle is empty.

My heart is empty.

I think maybe I should have tried to get her to a vet, but then I remember how she was. I'd have had to hold her and let someone else drive just to get her there. I'm not sure how she'd have reacted if she was panicked and trapped.

She had an air of privacy around her all the time I was lucky enough to know her. Going off to die quietly and without bothering me would fit the way she seemed to act all these years. It wouldn't have bothered me. I wish I had found her in her doghouse or another favorite spot. I could have buried her with the other family pets out by the shelterbelt. I hope the coyotes haven't molested her. I hope I did enough for her over the years - that this was a happy home for her.

She was such a quiet, unassuming dog with a big, scarred heart. I really have no good ending for this, so I'm just gonna quit now.

12 comments:

threecollie said...

So sorry Jeffro. At least she had you for her later years. And seems to me the vet might have been worse for her...poor old girl

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear that Jeff, and I also think that the vet would of made things worse. I know how you feel-it's hard to lose a good pet.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that, was late last night when I got freed up and did'nt want to wake you with a call. She was happy with you there... I know that.

Earl said...

You have been a friend to the unwanted and the terrorized and downtrodden, as you have done you will reap. I know that dog loved you as much as her scars would allow, I wish she could have done that happy dance again for you - nice that you have that memory. Take care and thanks for sharing, good man.

SteveK said...

Hi Jeff. I'm really sorry to hear about your loss. I think it was about four years ago when you lost Lady and how hard it was for you, so I'm sure losing another companion like Babs hurts just as much. I hope Babs and Lady are together again up in the Heavenly Fields chasing jackrabbits!

Anonymous said...

How sad. I know how much losing a dog hurts, and losing pets as we get older hurts even more.

She was a good dog and even though she wasn't very trusting, her loyalty to you shows that she was a good girl.

Buckaroo Banzai said...

Terribly sorry, Jeffro. Terribly sorry.

Kathy B. said...

So sorry to hear about Babs! My heart breaks for you Jeff. She was lucky to find you and she knew that. Hugs, Kathy

Anonymous said...

For anyone who's ever had to say goodbye to the greatest dog in the world J.J. Cale has the perfect song, called Old Blue.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TEEVFM/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk9?ie=UTF8&qid=1233671568&sr=1-26

Kelly aka Cardiac Kid said...

Jeff, my heart goes out to you. I think you and Babs both served a great purpose in each other's lives and made that special difference. Isn't that what life is about? You can know all this stuff until the cows come home, but it never makes it easier to lose what you consider your family. Thank you for sharing, and hang in there.
Kelly

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. We lost our 8 y.o. Boxer just a few months ago to sudden-onset cardiomyopathy. I feel your pain.

Jeffro said...

Thanks, everyone.