Thank You and Doggie Tears
by Joseph Nardi
On 04/26/01 at 5:30PM I received some of the hardest news I've ever received. I was told that my 4 legged companion was inundated with an infection that was brought about by a piece of steel wool or Brillo pad that he had eaten. To this day we don't know where he got it from, as we don't use them. The infection had robbed him of more than 70% of his intestine, over 3/4 of his liver and his entire spleen. His Stomach was also leaking fluid into his cavity from the trauma of two previous operation attempts to save him. During the third, the veterinarian realized the severity of his sickness and advised me that there was nothing he could do but put him out of his immense pain. With all his experience and knowledge he told me that he was shocked he was even still alive. Yet if he knew Nietzsche he'd realize it was his nature. As much as I wanted to be with him during this, I was told that if he was woken from the anesthesia he would feel the pain of the operation. It was then that I gave them the OK to proceed with euthanasia. Not by word nor by action, but simply by the grace of an knowledgeable veterinarian, who understood that the tears were much stronger than any attempt to speak. With the simplicity of a nod, I hope, I allowed him to die with the same grace, strength and devotion that he portrayed every single day of his life. If us as humans could have one tenth of his honor this world would be alot better off. The place in my heart where he exists will never be filled or replaced. I.R.O.N. (In Remembrance Of Nietzsche) --------------------------------- Thank You It's been a while now. I guess the time has come for me to let go and say good-bye. Thank you For all that you have given me, every day, without question. No one could ever understand, how special it was to have someone who would love me even when the whole world was mad. Thank you For your unconditional acceptance. When no one was talking to me you were there to understand, that sometimes my mouth didn't exactly portray, what my heart was trying to say Thank you For always greeting me when I came home from work. Even when everyone else was sleeping. Thank you For always coming when I ask you to. I guess you knew that sometimes, at that moment, I needed someone there because I had a worried or troubled thought. Thank you For always guarding my life with yours. Your bark was not so much a reflection of your intention but rather your symbol of what you were protecting. Thank you For giving me 8 years of happiness. your love and devotion was never taken for granted. Thank you For being strong and holding out to give me one more night to know all that we shared. Thank you for allowing me that good-bye When the Doctors told me there was nothing they could do to save you and that any attempt to do so would be nothing but a feeble attempt to keep you in my life. I thanked you by giving them permission to take away one of the most precious things I have ever had. I will never forget how even in such pain You stayed by my side till they pulled you away ... Never letting me say Thank you !!! ------------------------- Doggie Tears My Question, My Pain Is it reasonable? Is it real? Do they understand you weren't JUST a dog? Without doubt, Without Care My Buddy, My Boo We shared more than time. We shared our soul And exchanged our hearts. Without limits, Without Measure One Look, One Sound Contained the total essence of loyalty and love. No matter what happened I could always count on that. Without Conditions, Without Restrain Shared thoughts, Shared feelings You never told me anything, Yet I knew it all We communicated more than most My friend, My Heart You were never a JUST And I was never Without!!! Nietzsche 04/26/01 5:30PM Poems by J Nardi Email Nietzsch@home.com Web Page: http://www.members.home.com/nietzsch/index.html
Comments would be appreciated by the author, Joseph Nard