tito - 2004 - 2019
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| Tito 2004 - 2019 |
Had to let Tito go.
He knew full well what was coming down too. A couple months ago we took him to the vet for a general diagnosis, find out if he is in pain or obvious signs of cancer or whatever. He stood still for his temperature and allowed the vet to do a brief exam, but when they took him in the back for a blood draw he fought like a demon. Doc told us to fill him full of tranquilizers and try for the blood draw the day after tomorrow.
We had been talking about the end of Tito's life at home. Then after some confusing human talk with the vet who must have been a cacophony of confusing smells, he gets whisked into the scary backroom, man he doesn't know comes at him with a huge needle. What's a guy to think and damn straight he's fighting for his life.
Next day when I told MJ we should respect Tito's decision that no one is going to be poking or prodding him ever again, cancel the vet appointment, he comes over to my feet, rolls on his back ear to ear grin on his face. Been ages since we saw that mood. He fought. He won - I'd like to believe he included me in the win, him and me sort of thing. Probably thought he did it all himself.
Earned him several more weeks at home. Finally, Mary Jane and I had to confront our denial about the situation. Denial fueled by feeling the same changes in ourselves we have been experiencing with Tito over the past eighteen months. Trying to pretend things are not so far gone yet but knowing the truth isn't always what one wants to hear.
From the first time he came into the front door of this house to the last, as soon as the harness snapped free he scampered at full tilt up the hall and around through the kitchen making a loop or two before stopping off at the water bowl. That last morning at home three am and both MJ and me are up helping him out for a pee - carried him down the porch steps, soon as the harness dropped he scampered up the hall same as always, then round and round through the kitchen and pantry refused to stop.
Next morning, no more fighting on that last trip. Cuddled him close in his favorite little bed, he wouldn't have left me alone if the table were turned so I held him to the end. Or at least that's the way it's supposed to be with a boy and his dog isn't it, stay loyal to the last?
Probably not Tito. Soon as the leash dropped he's off on a doggy adventure mailbox to mailbox and run around behind a neighbors house to bark at their dogs, refuse to come when called.
He knew full well what was coming down too. A couple months ago we took him to the vet for a general diagnosis, find out if he is in pain or obvious signs of cancer or whatever. He stood still for his temperature and allowed the vet to do a brief exam, but when they took him in the back for a blood draw he fought like a demon. Doc told us to fill him full of tranquilizers and try for the blood draw the day after tomorrow.
We had been talking about the end of Tito's life at home. Then after some confusing human talk with the vet who must have been a cacophony of confusing smells, he gets whisked into the scary backroom, man he doesn't know comes at him with a huge needle. What's a guy to think and damn straight he's fighting for his life.
Next day when I told MJ we should respect Tito's decision that no one is going to be poking or prodding him ever again, cancel the vet appointment, he comes over to my feet, rolls on his back ear to ear grin on his face. Been ages since we saw that mood. He fought. He won - I'd like to believe he included me in the win, him and me sort of thing. Probably thought he did it all himself.
Earned him several more weeks at home. Finally, Mary Jane and I had to confront our denial about the situation. Denial fueled by feeling the same changes in ourselves we have been experiencing with Tito over the past eighteen months. Trying to pretend things are not so far gone yet but knowing the truth isn't always what one wants to hear.
From the first time he came into the front door of this house to the last, as soon as the harness snapped free he scampered at full tilt up the hall and around through the kitchen making a loop or two before stopping off at the water bowl. That last morning at home three am and both MJ and me are up helping him out for a pee - carried him down the porch steps, soon as the harness dropped he scampered up the hall same as always, then round and round through the kitchen and pantry refused to stop.
Next morning, no more fighting on that last trip. Cuddled him close in his favorite little bed, he wouldn't have left me alone if the table were turned so I held him to the end. Or at least that's the way it's supposed to be with a boy and his dog isn't it, stay loyal to the last?
Probably not Tito. Soon as the leash dropped he's off on a doggy adventure mailbox to mailbox and run around behind a neighbors house to bark at their dogs, refuse to come when called.
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