Boomer

Mary Thanks for the reply. Your response and MartyT's have opened my eyes to remembering something similiar that I heard or read in the past about animals and death. I don't know if this makes sense right now, but I have always told others around me that we not specifically dog owners, that people could learn alot from a dog about making this old world a better place if in fact they were only half as loving and caring to those around them as these creatures are. And yes, I know that Boomer is waiting for me and that in time all of us will be together once again. Mark

MartyT, First thanks for the response, and as I am obviously new to this, KayC for her kind words. Sorry for the incoherent writing, but even going to and being at work is difficult. Boomer passed away at home. When I checked on him in the early morning hours Wednesday, he was laying next to his bed, deceased. Hence the grief for not being there during his final moments on this Earth. I appreciate your words, wisdom and kindness as I do KayC's. Not to steer away from the above words, but I MUST SHARE THIS with you, KayC and anyone else who is or has read my post. Earlier today, for some strange reason, I made the choice to leave work and get my hair cut. Was going to do this as I usually do over the weekend. But something told me to go today and better yet to drive approximately 10 miles to a place I sometimes go to if I was coming from closer to where I live. Anyway, I signed in and was told that it was going to be at least a 35 minute wait. Hearing that I almost left to go elsewhere, but something told me to stay and wait. When I finally did get in and seated, there were 3 young ladies (I quess average age to be around 20-21) cutting hair. One of the girls stopped what she was doing and said to the others " I have been seeing/hearing things in my room lately. Now normally, I would haved thought that the topic of conversation of young girls on a Friday afternoon room would not have started off like that, but hear me out. She said last night I was laying there and guess what I thought I saw, "A dog laying at the foot of my bed and he was snoring!" Finally, when I did sit up I saw that it apparently must had been a shadow from a hallway light, but it looked like a dog laying there. I can't tell you, but the hair on the back of my neck stood up and I knew in that moment it was Boomer's way of telling me he was alright. I swear that this is exactly what happened. It is an unbelievable miracle, and I thank the Lord for that, as well as those that have responded to me. Thanks so much.

This past Wednesday, Dec. 5th, I lost my 12 and 1/2 year old male Westie. I have to begin somewhere; promise I will be brief. Boomer came to my wife and I in the Spring of 2004. My wife found out about his situation at work. This was a dog whose owner had passed away and no one in the family wanted him. Sad to say the least. BUT before all of this happened, some time back I had to have my female westie, Laci, put down. An experience I know alot of people go through, but it was my first and I swore after that it would be my last. When I saw Boomer's picture, my heart went out and the rest is history as we brought him into our lives. I knew in the back of my mind, I would regret the day that would eventually come. Not quite 2 years ago, he began to show signs of pulmonary fibrosis, a disease common to this breed and as many well know has no cure. On Tuesday night, Boomer had an onset of labored breathing, but often he would bounce back. He refused to eat that night, but still was moving around, so I made the determination that if in the morning he was not better, I would be faced with a trip to the Vet, all the while thinking about what might be a grim outcome. Briefly stopping at that point, when I go back to the female westie that I had to have put down with acute kidney failure, I allowed them to keep her for a couple of days on "hydra therapy". When I visited her, I realized that this was not helping, but actually in my opinion was a vain and cruel thing to keep her alive and in such a foreign place. Again, I go back to getting another dog, If (and I did) this every happened, I would try to let the dog be put down at home, or if something happened to them in the meantime, they would die in a familiar place. Bottom line, and sorry for writing so much, I feel like I made the wrong decision. I should never had assumed that Boomer was going to get better that night and done something then. Honestly, part of me realized this, but part of me said no, "he will be better", not wanting to face this situation again. I feel like out of selfishness for myself and not stepping up and facing reality sooner, I would have in somewhy, somehow been there for him. Don't know if this makes sense to anyone reading, but right now, I feel like one of the lowest forms of life. Maybe my overall personality of avoiding what I perceive as terrible situations in this life has come around to deal me a terrible blow that I will never every make ammends for. I welcome anyone's comments; good or bad about what has happened. Thanks, Mark