Dying closes the circle of life, and euthanasia is the last act of kindness we can give our sick and dying pets.
We finally found the courage to take little Malty to the vet for the injection that gave him a dignified and gentle death.
He'd been no more than skin and bones, no longer ate, could barely stand upright, and had trouble breathing.
And yet we feel guilty and wonder if we have done the right thing.
We buried him inside his soft sleeping box covered in his favourite blanket at the bottom of the property and we will mark the spot with a flowering shrub.
He began his life at "Riverbend" fifteen years ago with love and awe, and it ended with compassion and grace.
Rest in Peace, little Malty. We will never forget you.
Tributes
From Kath & Philip in Sydney:
"Just reading your blog post and remembering little Malty and all the happy greetings on our visits. Beautiful words you shared and while we would love to keep our dearest with us all of our lives it is not possible and the cycle of life is the natural order of things. He'll be missed but remembered for all the joy he brought to you both. He had a wonderful life with you and his little mate Rover so he was a lucky little guy and yes, you did the right thing. Let's hope that soon that choice is afforded to humans as well."
From Urs in Brisbane:
"You did the right thing and yes Rover will miss him as well. As for burying him on your property, I do that as well and I plant some nice flowers on it or a Bougainvillea and every time I bury a dog I cry. Dogs give us something that is unique, it is called unconditional love and this is why we get so attached to them. Maybe you have to get a puppy again to keep Rover company! My thoughts are with you!"
From Chris in Canada:
"Of course you did the right thing! To do otherwise would be cruel and unkind, which I don't think that you are. It's always very difficult and we do grieve more over our pets than other people and you will have to do so and slowly accept his passing, although you won't ever forget him. I still pause over where mine is buried in the yard and that happened 30 years past. Now is the time to either get another or to forget it entirely. I never will because I don't want to have to go through it again. My condolences and thoughts are with you."
From Reg in Wollongong:
"It is astounding just how close you get to your pets. We had a cross English Sheepdog/Dalmatian that was the nicest natured dog I have ever seen, and putting him down many years ago now seemed harsh but right at the time, but was so attached we have steadfastly refused to ever have a pet again, and his grave is marked with a bird bath in the back yard. He did get even with me because I brought him home from the Vet to bury and did my back in very badly carrying him up to the back yard! I walked around like a half open pocket knife for several weeks afterwards."
From Flora, Tod & Sarah at Long Beach:
"Rest in peace, Malty."
From Ian in Port Douglas:
"You were indeed fortunate to have such a loving, non-judgmental friend for so long - no doubt he loved you as much as you did him."
From Carmel & Laurie in Cowra:
"So very sorry to hear your sad news about Malty, it sounds like the last act of kindness on your behalf. Our thoughts are with you both, his memories will be with you forever and he sure had a very loving and well cared for life with you both."
From Andrew & Sue in Vietnam:
"Sorry to hear about Malty, but you did the right thing. He did not need to suffer unnecessarily. I guess it would be similar to losing one's child."
From Gray in Adelaide:
"Been down that path several times. The inevitable never got any easier which is why we don't have any more pets. Sad for your loss."
From Bill & Rosie in Batemans Bay:
"So sad to hear the loss of your very close friend, but sometimes we in life have to make decisions that cannot be explained, especially when it is a pet that cannot talk to you. May his little soul rest in peace."
From Chris in Switzerland:
"Sorry for your loss."
From Rina & Hengky in Indonesia:
"We are sorry for the loss. Padma and you took such good care of Little Malty until the very end. If Malty could say something, perhaps he would say:
'I'm still here
Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.'"
From Margaret & Clayton in Canada:
"So sorry to hear you had to put Malty to sleep. Don't question your decision; I am sure it was the right thing to do. He was very lucky to have had such wonderful owners. His passing will certainly leave a void in your lives and little Rover also must be missing his constant companion. Our pets do indeed enrich our lives; cherish the memories of those fifteen happy years you had together. Thinking of you during this sad time."
From Tony on Karragarra Island:
"So sorry to hear that you lost your pet Malty. It leaves an awful big hole when they go. Why do dogs only live about 10 years? It doesn’t seem fair, neither to the dog nor to the owner."
From Rita & Günther in Germany:
"Wir können mitfühlen, was es bedeutet, einen Liebling zu verlieren. Unser Beileid."
From Renate & Jürgen in Germany:
Hallo, mein Freund am anderen Ende der Welt. Nun ist Malty doch in den Hundehimmel gekommen. Natürlich schmerzt es, wie sehr vermißt man die Kleinigkeiten, die einen manchmal zur Verzweiflung gebracht haben, dieses ständige Hinterherlaufen. All das vermißt man, aber da ist noch der zweite kleine Geselle - wenn ich mich recht erinnere. Es gibt von Avenarius ein Gedicht über seinen Hund, das ist aber sehr melanklüter, ich schicke Dir zum Trost aber eine Kinder-Geschichte, die ist süß, in einem Kinderbuch von Hannes:
Weißt du auch, was in der Nacht
Dackel Hektor gerne macht ?
Er schaut sich kurz um,
tut harmlos und dumm
und schleicht sich kühn ins Bett,
denn Betten sind nett.
Dann kuschelt
und wuschelt
er sich in die Kissen,
das darf keiner wissen.
Er denkt an den Knochen
vor ein paar Wochen
vergraben im Garten
ganz ohne Spaten
nur mit den Pfoten
das ist sehr verboten.
So wie dieses Hühnerbein,
und ein Bein kommt nie allein.
Leise kaut er noch ein Stück
von dem zweiten Knusperstück.
Er zieht sich die Decke
schnell übers Verstecke,
übers Schwänzchen und den Bauch
übers Hühnerbeinchen auch.
So sieht man ihn nicht
im dämmrigen Licht.
Er kratzt noch den Floh
von seinem Popo,
das macht er ganz leis,
damit niemand was weiß.
Auch nicht die Katze
mit frecher Tatze …
nun liegt er bequem
und hat es sehr schön.
Dann endlich ist Ruh:
Die Augen sind zu,
Dackel Hektor schläft nun ein.
Gott sei Dank ! so muss es sein."
