by Helen McQuinn
I wrote about my little shih-tzu, Bogart (Bogey) last week. I had made an appointment to put him to sleep on Tuesday of this week but last Thursday, things changed. He was in pain, whimpering to go out every hour or so and he had a hard time to walk on the icy path to empty his bladder and he was shaking and completely miserable. He was determined to get our attention through the night to go out so he wouldn't have to dirty in the house. I was up most of the night and in the morning called my vet to euthanize Bogey that afternoon. It was one of the saddest days of my life but I held him while he drifted away to the Rainbow Bridge. I am so sad but feel better in that he is in a better place waiting for me without pain and I know he is seeing and playing with all the other animals waiting for their masters and mistresses. I am so happy I got Willie, my little Yorkie, when I did and I know he will have his own special place in our home and we love him already. I used to sing, "You are My Sunshine" to Bogey and I whispered it to him while we were waiting for the inevitable at the vet's, and this is my "Sunshine" song for him now:
You were my sunshine, my only sunshine
You made me happy when skies were grey
You always knew just how much I loved you
But I had to send you away.
But now I've lost my small ray of sunshine
And my blue skies have turned to grey
God only knows how much I loved you
How I wish my little Bogey could stay.
You were my sunshine, my precious sunshine
You made me happy when skies were grey
You always knew just how much I loved you
I know we'll be together someday.
I will never forget you, Mama's baby.