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RIP, Cisco: 1994-2006
I returned from my grandfather’s funeral yesterday to find my yellow Labrador of 12 years, Cisco, was not doing very well. (Yes, that’s a picture of him from many years ago, performing one of his favorite tricks.)
He was still alive, but he had clearly suffered some nuerological trauma (we think a stroke) and was on his way out. He was also very clearly waiting for us all to get there, since his decent was a speedy one once he recognized we were all there.
We quickly loaded him into the suburban and drove to the vet, less than a mile away. I sat in back with him, while he gasped, and took his last breaths.
It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But I’m so very thankful that he didn’t have to die alone, that he waited for us to get there, and that we were all able to say goodbye to him as he made his transition. I don’t think I would’ve been able to take it if he had died alone.
I took some time to write up all the memories I could get out on Cisco, and I did so here, to showcase how incredible a dog he was. He was truly the best you could ask for.
Tags: cisco, dog, mourning, passed on, sad
Bree said,
October 22, 2006 @ 2:48 pm
Very lovely tribute… I think it’s important to focus on all the nice memories you’ve shared with pets after they’ve passed on. They really are out best friends, and Cisco sounds like he was an exceptionally special dog.
pyralis said,
October 23, 2006 @ 11:09 am
It was a beautiful tribute to a very loved dog. I wish I had been able to be there when my family’s black lab died. No one even told me until months later
She was sweet, super smart, and unfortunatly was bit by large wildcat while protecting her puppy.