3 July 2004 - 27 February 2014
Dear Tanner,
I was hoping Ranger would be able to greet you when you arrived home this summer, but he didn't make it. We think he had cancer, as he lost a lot of weight, and had other symptoms that made his quality of life too close to suffering. Your father was away as well, and hoped to make it back to say goodbye, but didn't get home in time.
What a difficult day! Ranger has provided our home with much needed protection, better than any alarm system we could have bought! He was a great player, and LOVED that ball! Remember when he use to pull you on your skates? Remember how he would chase the tennis ball all the way down the block of unconstructed homes?
There were a few things that day, which made all the difference in the world to me, and provided me with a few tender mercies while I was all alone.
I thought far enough ahead to bring a knit sheet for him to lay on, so he could be comforted by smells from home. It was probably more important to me than him, but I hoped it helped as he was falling asleep.
I had an established relationship with the veterinarian, as he was Ranger's vet, and his son has been in my cub scout pack for four years. He was very caring and compassionate with both Ranger and I.
I found out I knew the owner of the pet cemetery / internment services business. She took 20 some pounds off Ranger's weight, and saved me $50 dollars off their services. And, again I had compassion and sympathy from someone else I knew during this difficult time.
The vet office provided a body bag, and wrapped him up while I waited in the hall. It was important to me to keep the memory of my dog dignified. To me it was comforting to be able to pick him up and hold him again, and this made it easier. (This is important if you're taking your dog with you, as bodily fluids can be released.)
Make sure a sedative is given first, and that you wait for a full twenty minutes before proceeding. The amount of calm and restfulness increased the longer we waited, and it was a wonderful time to talk to him and stroke his fur, and share the love we had for each other.
Remember how much he loved you, and how much you loved him. You will see him again, and what a reunion! Until then, I love you!
Mom
6 comments:
Oh, Amy Jo, I am so sorry about Ranger. I know how much he meant to everyone in your family. It is so hard to lose a pet and to have to bring him to the vets to be put down. I remember how I felt when I had to have Lily put down, just six months before Uncle David died. I cried and cried, but I held her as the doctor injected her. She just made a couple of sighs and was gone. She gave us so much joy and gave me a lot of comfort. Ranger was a lucky dog to have such a loving family. I love you, and I can feel your pain. I am so glad that I now have Annabelle. She is helping me to heal and makes me laugh every day. I just love her. Sending love to all of you. Love, Aunt Shirley
What a touching story--I'm teary just thinking about it! I can tell how beloved Ranger was. Those senior pictures with Hunter and Ranger together are all the more precious now.
Dear Schenewark Family, Our hearts aches with yours. Hugs and prayers of comfort as you deal with this lost. Ranger loved his big family. I loved watching Ranger retrieve golf balls for Hunter.
I am so sorry to hear about Ranger. We loved him...and Jane will miss him too! Take care Shenewark family.
Tears in Shrewsbury for our little Ranger. Shai lost Bubbles Saturday, but a little beta fish just never learned to run after the ball and bring it back like Ranger.
I know how hard this is because I went through the same thing a couple of years ago. Please know that Ranger will be missed by ALL of us more than you will ever know.
Aimee & The Kids
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