Oscar
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this, the last battle, can’t be won.
You will be sad- I understand
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand
For this day, more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We’ve had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears
You’d not want me to suffer, so
When the time comes, please let me go.
I know in time you too will see
It is a kindness you do to me
Although my tail, it’s last has waved
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
Don’t grieve that it should be you
Who has decided this thing to do
We’ve been so close, we two these years
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
Author Unknown
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We got Oscar when he was just a year. Smallest of 3 farm dogs, we were told he was always getting picked on by the other two. Gangwishes were moving to Nebraska, and asked if we would take their daughter beagle.
That was 14 years ago.
I”m sure I’ve probably had 15 to 20 pets by this point in my life, but for some reason Oscar found a special place in my heart.
Last July he looked like he was going to die. On a long shot, the vet gave him some steroids, and he pulled out of whatever it was that was ailing him.
Two weeks ago I was home working in the barn when my phone rang- It was my wife.
“Oscar just collapsed again on the floor…I heard him yelping then a big thump ….”
The day before the same thing had happened, I had taken him in to the Vet, thinking it was going to be a one way trip to town. The vet had left the decision up to me. There was no way we were in a position financially to spend hundreds of dollars trying to diagnosis his problem…it could be one of several things, so we decided to give Oscar some steroids one more time…they weren’t going to cure him of anything, he said, but might help with the pain.
But now twenty-four hours later, he had collapsed again..so I knew it was finally time to say good-by. I called the clinic, let them know what we were thinking. they said to bring him in. I gently loaded Oscar up into the little pet pillow he’d been sleeping on this Winter. He was quiet on the trip to town. I put my hand on him to comfort him. He never did like riding in the truck. When we got to the clinic, the Vet motioned me back to one of the examination rooms. He asked if I wanted to stay or go. I told him I would stay. He gave Oscar a sedative, which really relaxed him. A minute later, he gave him the shot that put him to sleep. He was gone within 10 minutes of us walking through the doors of the clinic.
I discovered a group of people this week that I never knew existed….
Fellow pet lovers who are still grieving.
They don’t broadcast this to the world.
I suspect it is because they are tired of hearing things like “It’s only an animal.”
Why do certain pets become especially dear and others are “just pets?”
Here’s another pet I had to say goodbye to last year about this time:
Winston the Pig March 2010
She was a 650 pound regular pig…nothing fancy, just a pig.
She loved to have her belly rubbed, eat apples and free range behind the barn in a little pasture. We took this picture shortly before I had to send her down the road.
Tags: attitude, enjoying life, faith, Life, personal, pet, relationships, spirituality, suffering, thoughts, Uncategorized
March 5, 2011 at 11:30 pm |
Pets listen to you when you need to vent, pets know when something is wrong, pets love you unconditionally, something humans are too stubborn and proud to do.
pets blossom and grow and mind/obey when they know they are loved.
They look up to you even tho you are full of sin. They know what you need when you need it. they are there for you always. Petting them calms the spirit and the wag of a tail and a lick perks up the spirit. I know we invest time and love into them, but they give so much more back, by just being.
Whats the saying? to know love is to know loss.
I know the love of a great pet and the loss of them, too.
crying with you.
[and i will be crying when i get to be with them again in heaven]
March 6, 2011 at 2:00 pm |
I feel so sad for people who say “It’s only an animal.” I cannot imagine life without knowing that unconditional love, bonding and affection that comes along with our furry friends.
I am thinking of you and understanding how it feels to lose a beloved pet. That grief is overwhelming, but not as overwhelming as the love that we share throughout their lives that will continue on forever.
RIP Oscar and Winston.
My best to you in the coming days.
March 6, 2011 at 8:37 pm |
I’m so sorry Doug. I’ve walked this walk many times and the sad part is, it never gets easier. Please know I’m thinking of you.
March 10, 2011 at 10:11 am |
My daughter once asked me if there was a pet heaven (this was after her fish died). I told her absolutely Yes. Because heaven is full of good things and things that make us happy. I have two childhood pets that I can not wait to see again. I know you will see Oscar and Winston too.
March 14, 2011 at 8:43 pm |
I’m so sorry, Doug. I have experienced that ache over a pet (family member). It’s not easy; they are so much more than just an animal. And BTW, I too believe there will be animals in Heaven. The Bible says there will be horses, and it describes other creatures, too, so it’s not difficult for me to believe our pets may be there.
March 20, 2011 at 7:34 pm |
Thanks for your recent visit to my blog. I followed the link here to your and began reading and scrolling. Then came across this post about your beloved Oscar. My husband and I just put down our beloved Candy on Friday, March 18 and her momma Tootsie Pop one year ago on March 23, 2010. The poem you shared so touched my heart, as it hurts terribly to say goodbye but I’d never want to selfishly keep them here it it meant further suffering, sometimes love means saying goodbye.
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Madge, I LOVED your blog pictures….thanks for tracking me down!. We have friends out in your neck of the woods…it was one of them that posted a link to your picture of the “running waldo’s” on facebook
April 6, 2011 at 4:19 pm |
wow, did you write this poem yourself? my grandad died of cancer on the 17th February 2011, a few hours after his death my nannie found this poem written out with her name on it in his desk drawer, the paper was crumpled up and his tear marks were all over it, I just want to thank you for giving my nannie the gift of his rememberance, this poem has really helped her through this hard time!