Readers of my previous blog blurbfromtheburbs might remember that we adopted Milly from a refuge in the Adelaide hills in South Australia in 2004.
On the 6th of July 2019, she died in France.
Not a single day has gone by where I don't almost hear her snoring in the other room, smell her furry cornchip-smelling paws as she habitually snoozed at my feet or sometimes use her name on someone else.
As for her final day......
My husband LC* reminded me that I had fulfilled my promise to her. Milly was not going to feel more frightened and confused as her world shrank due to increasing pain, deafness and blindness.
It was an honor to have been part of her family. Knowing that she returned our love a thousandfold was so humbling it amazed me every single day I woke up and every single time she held my gaze. Who else do we greet with a heartfelt 'HELLLOOOOOO SWEETIE' than our dear dogs each and every time we see them? Certainly no human.
In the morning, LC and I gently stroked her, kissed her, booped her nose on behalf of Sapphire* and whispered that we would do our very best to respect her. Our beautiful darling dog deserved to be happy and without pain.
The vet’s eyes filled with tears just as ours had. Milly’s final moments went so fast but I know that she heard my whispered endearments and thank yous and we held eye contact right to the end.
Despite the tears, LC, Sapphire and I are so thankful. Thankful to have found her - this wondrous, indeterminate origin, eighty dollar shelter dog - and to have loved her for over fifteen years.
* LC - Love Chunks (husband)
* Sapphire - daughter. Currently at university
