It was time for Brandy to leave us
Brandyleft us just over a week ago. It was her time, she told me so in many ways. I could see it in her eyes, her behavior, her abilities, they all said to varying degrees that she was done. I’ll spare you the details of her declining health. She passed quietly in our home, with the kind and gentle assistance of our vet. Euthanizing Brandy at home helped to bring closure for our family and our pack. Bella, Hermes, and Lollie passed her one by one, sniffing her body curiously, knowing she was gone. Kristin and I wept as Ryan asked lots of questions. The vet and his assistant who made the house call were caring, compassionate, respectful, and professional – as they were when we put Sadie down five years prior.
I kept reading and hearing that when it was her time, I would know. And they were all right. The topic had been a frequent one in our home for months, increasingly so in the past several weeks as evidence mounted that Brandy’s time was near. I wavered as I took in the information she presented to me. I really wasn’t sure until I was sure, if that makes sense. But once I knew I didn’t hesitate or look back – it was her time.
I miss her but oddly not as much as anticipated. I guess I had a long time to think about her decline and had come to terms with it gradually. These past months I spent more and more time sitting quietly next to her, gently petting and stroking her head, neck, and back the way she liked. As Brandy aged, she was very reactive to sudden moves or any kind of jostling so I moved slowly and deliberately. She would relax and slowly lick her front paws and occasionally my hand or arm as I pet her. It was in those moments too that I knew she was ready. On her final day I came home from work early to pet her like she likes. She was stoic, guarded, with a long stare that seemingly told me she’s ready. My timing was perfect.
Brandy is gone in body but not of course in memory. I loved this poem authored and read by – of all people – legendary actor Jimmy Stewart on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The poem is called Beau, the name of Stewart’s dog:
More from Chloe’s dog reunion
Here is a video slideshow and movie clips of Chole’s family and the 6 month reunion we had on November 8, 2009:
You can see this and other CanineFostering videos on YouTube.
Quaker Parrot Frank Frank talks
Here is a long (10 minute) video of me and Frank Frank enjoying some quiet time together. If you want to see the sweetest part, move all the way to the end to see us “cuddle”. Watching it showed me how far he and I have come in this short 6 months together.
Watch this video on YouTube.
Video of a dog and a deer playing together
We now have a short video to go along with the beautiful photos we posted of Juno and her new friend playing together in Wisconsin. Here is Juno and a deer romping around together:
Watch this and other CanineFostering videos on YouTube.
Willow and pups romping in the yard
Here is a video of mama Willow and her eight pups playing in the yard on a beautiful July afternoon.
See this video and others on YouTube.
Franklin says hello
Here is a short video of Franklin, my Quaker parrot, saying the first words I’ve taught him…
See this video and others on YouTube.