Chanel (and Big Jake) came to us by accident. We’d had a black lab for several years but a kid crisis and an open gate left us dogless at just the moment when a tragedy struck another family.
A friend of my son’s commited suicide. Chanel and Big Jake belonged to them. I discovered when I went to work at the kennel, where Chanel and Big Jake often stayed, after a mini vacation that the family was going to take them to the animal shelter for adoption because they were moving away and could not take the dogs.
I could not imagine those two dogs being separated from their family and from each other. We were dogless. The dogs knew me and I rather liked them both. I volunteered to take them. This all happened 5 1/2 years ago and Chanel, mom to Big Jake, is now almost 14 years old.
I rant often about these dogs. Taking them was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Jake is mean, mean, mean to anyone who does not belong in his home or his yard. He loves his family and anyone he decides is ok to add to his family. Everyone else, watch out! Chanel is, well, not the smartest cookie in the world and now, almost overnight, she’s aged and what was cute in a dumb blonde dog sort of way is becoming just plain sad.
She doesn’t hear well. She doesn’t see well. She is easily confused. She has forgotten all bathroom habits. She simply goes whenever and wherever (and it’s rarely outside). And if all of that wasn’t enough, there’s now the mobility factor.
The couch has always been her domain. She was raised to be the princess in her first family, a lapdog through and through. I never could train that out of her so I gave up. Now she has trouble getting onto the couch and trouble getting down. It hurts her and it hurts us to watch. She wandered upstairs yesterday afternoon. I have no idea what she was looking for but about halfway up she changed her mind and promptly tumbled down the stairs. I was afraid to get up and check on her. In fact, as I was dreading opening the bedroom door I heard her get up and walk away and only then was I able to move and really check on her.
On Monday morning, the normal jockeying for position outside of the bedroom door that is done every single day by all 4 cats and the dogs happened without her. She slept through it all. I had to actually wake her up in order to take her outside to not use the bathroom and eat. Helping her off of the couch, watching as she attempted to make her legs work, seeing her confusion about which direction to walk to in order to get outside – I almost cried.
This dog who has made so many things about my life more difficult than I’d like… this dog who I’m constantly cleaning up after… this dog who I often wish I did not have is old. It happened overnight, or so it seems. She was fine just a few months ago. Running around the yard chasing the kids, traipsing in and out of the girls’ bedrooms looking for someone to pet her, chasing the cats off of her preferred spot on the couch. Really she was fine. Now, she isn’t. I’m incredibly sad.
I didn’t think I’d feel this way. I’ve lost more dogs to age and military moves overseas than I can even count. My mom ran over a dog from my childhood in our doggone driveway. Another childhood dog squeezed out of the backyard fence and found a new home before we figured out where she was and my parents let the new family keep her. I’ve seen my share of dogs and seen them all go – but this one, this one is pretty near breaking my heart.
It’s time to let her go. I don’t want to, but it is time.
Technorati Tags: dogs,
This is heartbreaking, Denise. My pooch Locke had the same thing happen – old all at once, not moving so much when he once did, and obviously not feeling great. I’m sorry about this loss. It’s amazing how we can fall in love and not know how deep.
How does that old all at once thing happen? I’ve heard people say it about their pets before and even about their parents but I’ve never experienced it.
Thanks, Jen.
I’m sorry about Chanel. 🙁
it’s really hard to see it coming…I feel like Henry is so close to his end that every morning I expect to come in and find him gone…and truthfully I hope that’s the way it is because I hate having to make the decision about when to let go…whoo, this sucks – I’m sorry you’re dealing with the same thing…damn dogs
I am so sorry to hear about Chanel. They drive us nuts, make us crazy and put extra work on us daily, but yet we love them anyway.
I am terrible sorry my friend, you made me tear up. So sad, hang in there.
It’s amazing how a dog that drives you crazy can be the one that hurts the most. I guess it’s the same way with people. I’m sorry about Chanel.
Hey Julie, thanks for stopping by.
Just as I’d pretty much resolved this in my head, Prince J has come up with a plan that sounds completely “doable” for preventing Chanel’s falls from the stairs. I’m feeling like the dude in the book I read at the end of last year, Life With Marley, trying just about anything to avoid the “end”.
I think we’re going to put J’s idea into action, for a little while longer so he knows his idea was good and appreciated and we understand that he doesn’t want to move to the final step either.
I’m so sorry Denise and family. I think it’s one of the hardest things when you wake up one day and see your dog has gotten old and it’s nearing that time. Wish I could write something that will ease the pain sweetie.
I’m so sorry about Chanel. I could feel your heartbreak throughout your writing. *hugz*
That’s just too sad for words…she’s such a beautiful girl.
That’s sad and I’m sorry about her.
I have an 18 y/old cat who was spry as could be until just last summer. It was weird because she got old real fast too. One day she was herself and the next falling on the steps and not seeing the water in her bowl and stiff walking and stuff. I am putting the inevitable off – I keep waiting for her to die naturally but it is getting harder and harder to do. She looks like she’s in pain.
Good luck – I hope that the young’uns suggestion helps.