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| Gracie - Friend |
I had an early morning appointment with the local Vet to have Gracie put to sleep. I had to carry her to my small SUV and gently laid her in the back and then arrange her legs so she looked comfortable to me before we made the ten minute trip down the road. We arrived at 7:40 am and I carried Gracie into the waiting room. They were waiting for me and quickly lead us to a room where I carefully laid Gracie on a cloth covered table. The vet and his helper came in and explained what was going to happen. I could not respond so I just put my finger up to my lips and did the hush sound, he understood and they left to get the stuff. They returned and gave the first injection which made her very sleepy and comfortable so the second injection would not be painful. Once again they left the room and I was able to rest my forehead on her forehead while I continued to rub her ears and I could feel her relax as the pain and tension went away. At that point her heart was still beating but she was gone. The vet returned with his helper and told me I was welcome to stay or some people chose to leave, I stayed and petted and loved my girl one last time as she slipped away out of this life. The kind gentle vet said stay as long as you like and he and his helper left us alone. I petted that fur which I had watched turn from the yellow of a young Yellow Lab to the white of an old fourteen year old Yellow Lab and then I kissed the white muzzle and hugged my friend before walking out of the room.
I'll retrieve her ashes in a few days and I plan to scatter them a few at a time at our familiar camping spots along the Foothills Trail and the shore of Lake Jocassee.
Goodbye Gracie - You are still loved!
Turtle
