Saying goodbye to a best friend

Ken Johnston

How do you say goodbye to one of your best friends forever?
Last Tuesday I had to do just that.
My dog Odie (the black and white one) suffered a stroke two days earlier and did not recover.
He was fully aware of everything around him and wanted to continue living, but his body gave up. He was unable to stand or walk which ment he could not do the poddy routine properly either.
I kind of knew on Monday I was going to have to face a very tough decision on Tuesday when the vet came to town.
So I decided that if he was going to go he was going to go happy.
I hand fed him chicken Monday at lunch.
Then I held a barbecue in his honour that evening placing him on the pillow on the deck where he could see everyone and get loved by everyone. He was then hand fed steak.
Then after an evening of lots of love I put him in bed right next to me where I petted his tummy (something he loved) most of the night.

At lunch time I took him to the Record office where he was allowed as many treats as he could eat from Aunts Anne and Linda and Uncle Bob.
Around 1:45 p.m. he was put to sleep and began his new life in doggy heaven.
He was a true friend, always there for me when I needed him and great fun to play with over the past seven years.
I have had a hard week saying goodbye to him and so has his brother Navy who has been extra clingy to me ever since.
My thanks to my family and friends for their extra special support. Also thanks to the vet, Dr. Hasbargen and his staff, they have always been very good to Odie and I.
Navy and I went camping over the weekend with family and a number of times family members called him Odie... obviously it has been hard for us all to let go... but in time all that will remain are the good memories and not the pain.
–Until then,
Ken