Today, we said
goodbye to our JesseBear. After discovering on Thursday that he had a
tumor near his lungs, and finally realizing that the gradual indications
of discomfort that we observed in him over the last two months were not
just old age, we painfully came to the conclusion that his quality of life
was rapidly diminishing. On Monday night it became quite apparent that the
time to let him pass with dignity was drawing near. We are grateful that
we were able to have a few more days to hug and love our JesseBear before
we had to say our final goodbye.
I could write a book
about all of our wonderful JesseBear memories. Though we never knew him as
a puppy, and we were blessed with him for just six years, he enriched our
lives tremendously. We saw him transform from Jake the abandoned, fearful
rescue dog to Jesse the loveable but cautious companion to Jessebear, our
"golden angel". I often told Dave, Jonathan and Jesse that I was
surrounded by golden angels, because I had Jonathan in my arms and Jesse
always at my feet.
I was always very
proud of the fact that Dave and I had "rescued" Jesse through the Golden
Retriever Rescue League, providing an unwanted pet with a second chance.
However, over the years I have come to realize that in many ways Jesse
"rescued" us by engaging us in some simple but significant things. By
greeting us with overwhelming enthusiasm when we came through the door, no
matter how short a time we may have been away. If he was unable to get up
he still looked directly at you from across the room with his undivided
attention. By discovering the excitement and relishing with great joy the
everyday, mundane routine. By taking time to go outside everyday and
breathe in the fresh air, walking in the rain, running through the snow
and napping in the warm sun, regardless of all those pressing matters.
There is so much we may have missed if not for JesseBear.
We will miss Jesse
so much but his golden spirit will remain with us forever. He will always
be our golden angel.
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