Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Say Goodbye To Cyrus

I've known this day was coming for a very long time.  I knew when I got Cyrus that I wouldn't have much time with him.  He was kept alive in a shelter all of his first nine years under less than ideal circumstances.  He came to me with medications for the pain from his blown hips and shoulders and his terrible arthritis,  He's also on a pill for his thyroid problems.  In the past year and a half, he has developed a skin disease that baffles my vet.  We keep him on a prophylactic antibiotic to deal with the skin disease, but it isn't working anymore.  At this point I don't know what is hurting the most: his legs and hips or the sores that won't heal on his face.  But it became clear very early this morning that the pain is becoming too bad to bear.  He has been whimpering since 3:00 AM.  I can take the whimpering but I know it won't be long before the whimpering turns into screams and I can't do that to him.  He has suffered enough.

His time with me has been good for us both.  He has been, from the moment I got him to this moment, one of the sweetest, most loving dogs I've ever had.  He has been the strong noble silent type.  So I know this constant whimpering is a sign that he isn't that strong anymore.

Perhaps the timing of this crisis is a good thing, because the most difficult time of the year is rapidly approaching.  Cyrus is terrified of loud noises that sound like gunfire.  So the fourth of July and the twenty fourth of July are two times of huge fireworks extravaganza's of human stupidity and economic waste on an ostentatious scale.  I don't approve.  Cyrus is just undone by the noise.  He will not have to go through that again this year.  But I'll never hear fireworks that I don't think of his terror and the terror of so many other dogs when idiots are burning money with a big bang.

20 comments:

Woody (Tokin Librul/Rogue Scholar/ Helluvafella!) said...

May I condole, perhaps, with the following:

http://www.cal.net/~pamgreen/house_dogs_grave.html

Give you peace, darlin...

Utah Savage said...

Thank you, Woody.

Sherry Pasquarello said...

peace and light and love.

no other words. well, sorry is the other one. so very sorry

yellowdoggranny said...

I'm sure the Goddess will be scooping him up in her arms and taking him to his new home..where he will be free of all pain. my heart goes out to you my friend.

Naj said...

:( Sorry Utah; I can understand how hard it must be ...

Cleveland Bob said...

Good night; sweet Cyrus. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. He is one swell lookin' fella. Thoughts are with you.

Sniff.

Oh, and stay away from that Creeping Jenny for a while...those are some nasty lookin' scrapes and cuts.

Gail said...

HI UTAH-

I know how hard it is - Cyrus was very lucky to have found his way in to your home and heart and I know that you too were so blessed to have him there. I hope you fiund some solace in knowing that he lived the best life possible once he found his way to you.

Love Gail
peace and hope.....

Tengrain said...

Awwwwww, I'm so sorry.

But know that you are doing the right thing, Utah, even though it hurts. It's the hardest thing about sharing your life with a pet.

Much love to you and Cyrus,

Tengrain

Hilary Lane said...

I'm so so sorry for your loss, but thank you so much for adopting an older dog into your heart. He was lucky to have you, and you him.

Hugs and Love,
Hilary
@hlane

darkblack said...

Cyrus has a good friend in you, Utah.

Peace be with him on his journey.

;>)

Susan said...

I feel for you, there is not much that is harder than making the choice to put a beloved pet down. Peace to you and Cyrus.

BoJoFlo said...

Dear Utah --I am so sorry to hear this and want to send Blessings and Lots of Love to you and Cyrus.

You were both very lucky to have found each other, and been able to spend whatever time you had together.

You take care, and know he will be doing fine -- happy and finally out of pain -- but always with you in all your happy memories of him.

Hugs

Utah Savage said...

Thank you all for coming to share this burden of pain for me. It's the best kind of memorial service. I hope I'm as lucky as Cyrus in my very old age and at my death.

MRMacrum said...

While it is an awful thing to watch a fur friend die, it is really worse I think to watch them suffer. Yet I know how difficult it is to make the transition. Scratch him behind the ears for me.

lisahgolden said...

Oh, Utah. I am so sorry. What a wonderful friend he was.

Randal Graves said...

:(

Utah Savage said...

Thanks for sitting Shiva with me.

Fran said...

What a sweet picture of your 4 legged friend. He really had a befitting name.
Our pets become family, and are beloved.

Let's envision in his next life he will be free of these worldly woes.

Go in peace Cyrus. Hugs to you both.

Unknown said...

I'm crying with you, Utah. Because I know how much you love Cyrus, and how it felt when I came to that time with Alex and Asia.

Tell Cyrus he's a good boy.

sonia a. mascaro said...

I am sorry...I can understand how hard is to lost a lovely friend and Cyrus looks so sweet!