The Loss of a Pet

Our dog, Sox, died a few days ago, he was 15 years old.

I remember when our daughter, Whitney, picked him out at the Humane Society in Fremont. He was not the cutest dog there. He was a mix of breeds, or a Heinz 57. He was one of several from the same litter left there. But, he was the only one left.

Whitney took one look at him and knew he was the dog for her. I wondered, but over time, learned she was right from the beginning.

Every night, he slept in Whitney’s room. He was definitely her dog. He wasn’t a watchdog. He would bark, but usually it was because the doorbell rang or someone knocked at the door. He didn’t bark at outside noises.

The grandkids loved playing with him. He would lie right beside them and they would pet him, sometimes harder than they should, but he never flinched or became angry. He loved them and felt he was protecting them by being beside them. I think most dogs protect children.

After Whitney went to college, he became more attached to me. He followed me all over the house. If I was walking towards the front door, he ran to get there ahead of me. He couldn’t wait to run and play in the yard.

But, the minute Whitney walked in the door, he was her dog again. He adored her. She would cut his hair. He would sit in front of her, never moving, until she was done. He wasn’t quite as accepting of me cutting his hair. Sometimes Jeff would have to help me.

He started to go downhill, then rebounded, only to go downhill later. I was taking him to the veterinarian the following morning, but he passed away late the night before, peacefully and on his favorite rug.

I felt like we had lost a member of the family. But, in truth, we had. I dreaded telling Whitney. I knew how much the news would hurt.

We gave him a proper burial.

It is so sad that pets don’t live as long as we do. I have had many dogs over the years and cry like a baby when they die.

I discovered how attached I was to him once he was gone. So, I have decided to get another dog. My sister Angie has puppies and next week, one of them will be coming to our house. His name will be Shiloh. I read the books about Shiloh, loved them and thought the name would be appropriate.

If you have a place in your heart for a pet, there are many that need rescued and placed in a good home.

Contact your local humane society today!