Zero's Last Day

Zero is a 14-year-old Harrier/Beagle in kidney failure. He quit eating a week ago, and his human companion, Dave, took the day off work today to take Zero and his 13-year-old pal Scout on a day trip to all Zero's favorite places. They went back to their old neighborhood, they walked past the restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops where they used to hang out, and Zero actually ate a little piece of calamari. "I never knew he liked calamari. But he must have really wanted it. He turned down everything else and chose that for his last meal." After the calamari, they walked by the river--rich with smells and associations from Zero's youth. Then they came to the dog park, which is where I met them. I had gone to hang out with the animals, missing my animal companion. Zero was barely moving, and Dave picked him up and carried him around so he could see and smell the other dogs. Scout followed protectively, snapping at a boxer pup who wasn't properly respectful.

Tomorrow Zero's vet will meet Dave, Zero, and Scout in Zero's favorite park, and there the transition will happen. Dave's dad died a year ago September 2nd, and months ago Dave planned a trip to the Grand Tetons on the anniversary of his father's death, to scatter the ashes. Dave will have two sets of ashes to scatter.