Another unexpected bit of inspiration from Olympic skating brings us a discussion about the inevitable end to our friendships with our pets.
“The Death Spiral” is a necessary move in Olympic skating, and a necessary part of the our journey as pet lovers. In this special episode, Dr. Buzby discusses the different ways that death approaches our pets, and how we can best respond for them, and handle our own grief and pain.
While “The Death Spiral” is a catchy title, we can’t forget it’s mirror in skating and in loving our pets, The Life Spiral or Love Spiral.
Our little miniature schnauzer died last night. He was fine in the morning and ate his little treat biscuit. then he laid in his bed without moving for most of the day. in the late afternoon he started rapid breathing. he did not respond to my words or stroking. The breathing became frantic and very fast. He tried to turn and reposition himself in his bed but did not have the strength, His breathing would pause for a moment and return almost normal then resume at a fast, almost spastic pace.
His tongue extended and hung from the side of his mouth. I laid on the floor with my head next to his and cried and sang a little song that we made up for him years ago. I stroked his head and ears but there was no reaction and no recognition in his eyes. knew somehow that he was about to die and he laid his head facing away from me and stopped breathing.
my wife and I cried and sobbed and she rocked his little body and held him like a baby, telling him how much she loved him.
His name was Pepperpot McSchnauzer, and he was 13 years old. It was almost 10pm when he passed. We are a retired couple and live in an apartment in the city and had no means of burying him nearby, so we wrapped him in his favorite blanket and drove 200 miles to our son’s place in the country. He had already dug a grave next to our grandchild’s tire swing.
I laid him in the grave and we covered him up and placed a makeshift headstone over him.
This morning our grandchildren are going to paint the headstone and put flowers there..
it is now eight in the morning. We got home at four o’clock and I tried to sleep a few hours. my wife is still asleep along with our other schnauzer Snickers Doodle, a 14 year old.
I am writing this to get the crying out of my system and try to move on. But I loved Pepper beyond words and the sobs keep coming.
Thank you for listening..
Dear Kenneth,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your Schnauzer. I am sorry his heatlh declined so rapidly but glad you were able to be by his side until the very last breath. I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. I like the idea of having your grandchildren decorate the headstone and make a memorial for your sweet boy. I hope with time your heart will heal and be comforted knowing you gave Pepperpot a wonderful life. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family. ♥