We knew the day was coming but that hasn’t made the loss any less bearable.
Helping us paint the house
Well done to my sweet Rosie who gave us every day of her nearly 17-years of life.
Beautiful
One of Ruby’s six puppies and the runt of the litter, Rosie had a sweetness, a fragility, and an innocence that was so endearing I knew I couldn’t live without her and you can click to read more about her. Drew said the deal with the six puppies was that we were to find good homes for all of them but over the weeks Ruby raised them, I renegotiated the terms. While I would have loved to have kept all of them, even I realised that wasn’t feasible but there was no way I was parting with the tiny runt, the one in the litter with the prettiest face.
At a winery last winter
Ours was the only home she ever knew and despite having nothing to compare it with, she every day let us know that she’d hit the jackpot. A tiny runt but she had a heart the size of Phar Lap’s and with so much love she had no room for bad thoughts, naughty behaviour or shocking deeds. The happiest of dogs with the most pleasant disposition, not once did she growl or bare her teeth.
On the bed
She loved company, and anyone who came to the door was her newest best friend. Seated visitors would be set-upon as she jumped up on the couch then climb onto them, roll over and encourage (beg) them to scratch her tummy. She had no personal space boundaries.
At the Christmas carols
She was extremely cuddly and affectionate and was most content when there was zero space between one of us and her. She wanted and expected this closeness constantly, and so we became very used to being joined at the hip when in bed, on the couch, in the car, or up at the table. It was not an inconvenience, as much as it gave her a lot of joy and contentment, she was like medicine; a great healer for the human soul.
Another sleep
Her other great love was her mum, a relationship the vet once described as ‘an unusually strong bond’. He warned us of a crisis of grief if anything ever happened to one of them. Because Ruby was so rock-solid while Rosie seemed so much more delicate, we all thought the more likely scenario was that Ruby would outlive her daughter. But then came Ruby’s cruel cancer which took her life and we wondered how Rosie would survive.
Old age is exhausting
While we did everything possible to help her through a very difficult time, I think the trauma of the loss had an impact on her wellbeing. Since losing Ruby three years ago, Rosie has definitely had many happy and joyful days. But she became more anxious and the vet was concerned she also had depression. Then came dementia and I wonder if it could have been triggered by the trauma of loss.
Sleeping more in old age
We all know dementia is a cruel, calculating, and vicious monster that robs its victims of clarity of thought and the ability to communicate. Watching a loved one retreat bit by bit into a world of isolation and silence is particularly challenging. Like Ruby with her cancer, Rosie didn’t escape the net dementia enclosed around her.
With her cousin, Elsie
In her final months she retreated more and more and if she wasn’t sleeping, she would stare at blank walls or pace around the house. About three months ago I took her to the vet out of concern for the decline in her ability to relate and communicate with us. She asked, ‘Does she have 15-minutes in a day when she knows where she is and who you are?’ I said, ‘Absolutely’. She said, ‘Well that’s a quality of life; you don’t need to think about doing anything further at this stage’.
In her basket
I came home and was grateful and appreciative for any little moment where I could see Rosie emerge from the cruelty of her affliction. She would remember to go outside to do her business then come inside and dance for a liver treat, and up until a few days ago she could still tell the time and would let me know when it was five o’clock – dinner time. She remembered her way around the house and never forgot where her baskets and bedding and water and food bowls were. Just a few weeks ago I took her to the little guy’s boarding house and she had a wonderful and really happy time sniffing all the boy-smells you find in a male boarding house.
She loved her basket
But the last 10 days or so saw a more rapid decline in Rosie. I would tempt her with roast chicken, bar-be-cue chicken, gourmet mince, bowls of warm milk, and finely chopped eye fillet steak. She either walked right passed her food bowl ignoring what was there or, if she did eat, she would vomit. I managed to get her to the vet on Wednesday. I put her on the scales and while in her healthy days she weighed around 6.5kg, on that day she was only 4.6kgs. I had a long consultation with the vet where he told me she wasn’t in any pain but that she had only a few days left.
Friday night by the fire
On Thursday she wasn’t eating but she was still drinking. On Friday she would vomit if she had anything to drink. I phoned the vet and asked him to come to the house on Saturday to end her suffering. She always loved to be toasty warm so I spent Friday night with her in front of the fire. Drew lovingly made her a tombstone.
Me and my girl, Friday night
She slipped away peacefully in my arms on Saturday afternoon. I put her in her basket and she looked just like she so often did when she was in a deep sleep; curled in a little ball, snug and secure. We kept her there by the fire until the next day, giving us time to come to terms with the fact that she truly was gone and that our 20-year love affair with two of the most wonderful and special family members had come to its conclusion.
Friday night
This morning on Mother’s Day, we buried her in a sunny spot in our garden, a place where we frequently gather so she will always have company.
As a puppy and then in old age
Vale Rosie; you most awesome of dogs. Thank you for your life and love; you will be forever missed xx
Precious girl
Rosie has lived a long and well-loved life and there are no words to convey how sorry I am for you all. She has taken a large chunk from your hearts with her and you will all continue to live in each other’s memories for ever – that’s what I think with each dog I have loved.
So sorry…..
I am so very sorry for your loss. What a truly beautiful post, Rosie sounds like the perfect fur-baby. Your description sounds very mych like my dear Dustie. I still miss her deeply and it’s been 12 years. I’m sending love and warm thoughts your way XOXO.
Such a sad, sad post to have to write Charlie.
My thoughts are with you and your family. xxx
I am so so sorry for your loss. What you have written here is a wonderful tribute to an amazing family member. It made me cry but also made me smile – because it’s obvious how much love and joy you brought each other. Vale Rosie.
Thanks so much, Bridget. Yes, a terribly sad time but we were blessed to have both of them. And now so many very treasured memories xx
So so terribly sad for you. Puppy love is like no other. X
Thanks so much, Monique. Yes, despite being little, dogs sure do know how to fill a home xx
So sorry Charlie.
You were fortunate to have found each other and have had so many wonderful years together. Rosie’s waiting for her family on the other side of the rainbow bridge until you’re reunited. My condolences to you and your family, Charlie.
I’m so so sorry for your loss! It is so hard when they leave us, but you gave her the best life possible and she has given you unconditional love.
Thinking of you and your family! xx
Thanks so much, Daisy, and lovely to hear from you xx
I’m so sorry for you! Losing a dear friend like Rosie is hard. You’ll never forget her, but I hope your tears will be behind you, and your memories of Rosie will bring you only smiles.
Oh, my eyes are filled with tears. I’m so glad you were able to comfort Rosie as she left this world. Sending you a big hug and loads of love. xoxo
Thank you for sharing her life with us. Thank you for writing such a beautiful vale . . . . she is now at peace: hope you also find such very soon . . .
My heart is breaking for you and your family as the tears are running down my face while reading this. It’s wonderful though that you were able to be with her in her final moments. I’m sure it was comforting for her and you. Take care.
oh so very sad charlie. i still mourn our little Westie who died a few years ago. such a wonderful member of the family aren’t they? wishing you all the very best; knowing that the pain will take time to calm down. best wishes xxxx
I’m truly sorry, Charlie. Our dogs are so precious to us, and Rosie was such a beautiful light in your life. XO
Thanks so much, Krista. I know how much you love your animals.
Charlie, so very very sorry to hear about your precious Rosie. What a beautiful account of her fabulous life and what treasured memories you will all always have.
Sending you healing hugs from SA.
🙂 Mandy xo
Thanks so much, Mandy. I know how much you love your animals. Thank you for the healing hugs from South Africa.
I’m sorry.
Thanks so much, Audrey. I was blessed to have her.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a sweet, special friend.
Thanks so much, Lisa. Yes, she was a very special friend and although small, she definitely filled our home.
Our dog lived almost 18 years, and her final decline was very much like you describe. It’s really heart-braking. I hope you’ll remember her as she was in her prime. That’s what we try to do.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
That’s a wonderfully long life but of course we’d love them to live on forever. Thank you for your kind words, Mae.
Ugh. I’m not very profound at times like these. But I’m so sorry.
Thanks so much Mimi. She was a very special girl.
Oh dear. My day started with tears. I hope yours is better dear Charlie. Farewell sweet Rosie
Thanks Tania. I’m glad you were able to meet my girls.
Charlie:
I am so very sorry! I pray God will comfort you and bring a pet like Rosie back into your life when the time is right.
Charlie
I saw your post on FaceBook, Charlie, but i just had to once again pop in to say how sorry I am. It’s a tough, tough loss. Hugs to you and your sweet family!
So very sorry to hear of your loss. She was such a sweet member of your family and gave you all so much pleasure.
OOoo, my heart.
I am so very sorry.
Part of your family is gone &
one is never ready for that great loss.
Love from MN. xxoo