Monday, January 19, 2015

Good-bye Miss Lily

Today is not the best of days.  My little Yorkie, Lily, had deteriorated in health to the point where she was merely existing and not living.  My daughter took Lily to her vet today and she was put out of her misery.


Lily was a hoot.  She loved to chase a ball and would bring it back, only to veer off course at the last second and hide the ball in her kennel.  She dearly loved her stuffed animal toys and sometimes would gather them all into her kennel as well, other times hauling them around, play growling at anyone who came close.

Some years back my landlord installed an intercom system for security.  When the correct numbers are punched into a keypad by the outer door, my phone rings.  After finding out who is at the door, a button on my phone opens the door.  It didn't take Lily long to equate the ringing of my phone with the knock on my apartment door.  So whenever my phone rang, she positioned herself at my door, ready to challenge anyone who wished to enter.  She never did anything about it, just barked like mad.  My landlord called her my early warning system.

Unlike most dogs and their owners, Lily and I did not go for walks.  When we went outside, I walked.  She would not.  She was perfectly content to sit at the end of her leash and watch the world go by.  But walking on the end of that leash was something Lily absolutely would not do.  So Lily went for a carry!

I was so proud.  Here was this little 9 pound bundle of fluff, defending her master.  Right up to the point I realized that protecting me had nothing to do with her behavior.  But God help anyone who had designs on her food dish.

She was sweet and cuddly and obnoxious, all in the same package.  She was smart and funny.  She took to spending nearly all of her time in her kennel, only coming out to relieve herself and eat a little bit, and then refusing all food except the bits of chicken I finally started fixing for her to tempt her appetite.  Her toys stayed in their basket.  The small tennis balls she loved to chase stayed with the toys.  My phone rang, ignored by Lily.  A neighbor knocked on my door without rousing her interest.  She wasn't really sick, but not well either.  I think she was just old and ready to be done.

I do not take this decision lightly.  I don't call a vet for this last service if there is hope for good quality of life.  But Lily was 15 years old.  She lived a happy life, at least in the 7 years she lived with me.  And my life was happier, living with her.


Rest in peace, Miss Lily.

15 comments:

  1. Thank you, Gorges. It's never easy, is it.

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  2. Oh Vicki I am so very sorry to hear about Ms Lilly. Her and I have something in common. She like to sit at the end of her leash, and my wife says all I can do now days is run to the end of mine and bark. I need your email so i can stay in touch and not through the blogs. My new email is on my blog.

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  3. Thanks, Rob. The end of the leash thing is funny and I needed a smile today! Up at the top right on my blog is the "About Me" box. Just click on View complete profile and you will find my email.

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  4. Aww Vicki so sorry to hear this news. Glad she had a great life with you and so many memories to leave behind! xoxo

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  5. Thank you, Mary...Lily was such a happy little thing. The last few weeks the joy of living just seemed to leave her. I will miss her.

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  6. I'm so sorry; sounds like she was a wonderful member of the family.

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  7. Thank you, Rev. Paul...She drove me absolutely crazy and I loved every minute of it! I miss her already.

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  8. Mom, I'm really sorry. I know how special she was. Love, Duane

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  9. Thank you, Son. She was a lot of company for me and she made me laugh. But it would have been very selfish of me to hold on to her when she was so obviously ready to call it quits. I just couldn't do that to her.
    Love, Mom

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  10. Well, I believe in the rainbow bridge. Even the Pope said there'd be a place in heaven for our animal friends. I don't care if it isn't scientific , it makes me feel better about my companions who are gone. I hope you aren't too sad, animal's aren't afraid to pass on.

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  11. Thanks, Harry...Your words do make me feel better. I, too, believe in the rainbow bridge. Our animals give us so much pleasure that I just can't imagine that there wouldn't be a better life on the other side for them. I think I was more sad watching Lily decline day by day. I hate having to make that decision, but I just could see no other option. She wasn't really living any more.

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  12. Vicki,

    So sorry to hear of your loss. I was never much of an animal lover until we got our Dazey and Derby which are both miniature dachsunds. I know it is going to be a sad, sad time when we lose either of them. My prayers will be for your peace at this time.

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  13. Thank you, Jim...It is hard to lose our pets. They give so much and ask so little in return.

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  14. Vicki - I'm sure Miss Lily is enjoying her long carry.

    It's never easy to have to make that decision, but honouring their love, affection and loyalty leaves us humans no choice.

    So sorry for your loss.

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  15. Thank you, Dani. It is not easy, but sometimes there are no other choices open to us. I like the thought of Lily enjoying her long carry. :)

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