At Peace

Mama dog has featured in a few of my blips over the past two and a half years but this will be the last time as sadly she died this afternoon. She has been getting weaker and weaker these past few weeks and walking was becoming more difficult but she was still enjoying her food and wagging her tail. Today though her breathing was quite laboured and her back legs were not supporting her which was distressing for her, it felt the time had come. We waited for the vet, her cosy on a bed of hay, me stroking her, saying my goodbyes, she drifted into sleep after a sedative then it was all over. I've shed lots of tears today but grief is mingled with relief.
Mama dog was 19 years old, I've known her since she was a puppy although she belonged to a neighbouring farmer then. During the day when he went off to work she would come and visit us, returning home when she heard his tractor returning after his days work. This routine went on for many years, then the farmer got a new young dog, she came up to us and never returned to her former home, that must have been ten years ago or more now. She was the most special dog I've ever encountered, very loyal but never overly demanding, just a quiet presence, keeping me in her sight. She loved her food and pottering around the land here, she has been part of our family and we will really miss her.