Today our precious puppy Kaley was called to heaven. I do believe that animals go to heaven just like humans do. Why wouldn't God want us to see our pets in heaven?
The dogs were outside to go potty last night. I was talking to my friend Leah on the phone. After I got off the phone with her, I went to bring them in. Not 30 minutes prior I heard them barking outside at something and they were also playing. They would bark at each other and rough house. It was a riot to watch. So Leilani, our German Shepherd came right in. I called for Kaley. She was hard of hearing to begin with so I made sure to shout for her and clap so she would hear me. She didn't respond. So I went out on the deck and called for her again. She did come. So I thought, maybe she is laying over by the back gate or by the air conditioning unit. As I went out further on the deck I saw her laying on the step down part of the deck right in front of the steps. So I was calling her as I was walking towards her. She wasn't moving so I nudged her with my foot and usually she will jump right up, but her body was limp. So I stepped over her and shook her and called out her name and she was gone. I immediately got upset. And then it hit me that I had to go wake up Andy and tell him. He had her since she was 6 weeks old. So he was very attached to her.
So I run upstairs and wake him up to tell her that I thought she was dead. He sat up half asleep and then came down stairs. We went outside together and he lifted her head and her tongue was hanging out of her mouth and she was obviously dead. I began crying. It was just so sad.
So I asked him what are we going to do with her, I didn't want to just leave her out there just laying on the deck. So we put her in a trash bag. I know how morbid right? But that was the best we could think of. I think now that we could have wrapped her up in a sheet. But at that point you aren't thinking straight.
So then after we did that, we came inside and that was when Andy lost it. He doesn't cry really,but he was balling last night. My heart was breaking because I know how much he loved that dog. I of course loved her too, but he obviously had a bigger attachment to her. She lived with him while he was going through a divorce with his ex-wife. So she was all he had at the time. So he pampered her like crazy. She loved licorice and Doritos. LOL.
So after he went back up to bed, I googled some Pet Cremation Service centers here in VA Beach. The first one that popped up I really liked. Very professional. And they had a 24hr call line. So I called and left a message as bet as I could. She called back and set everything up. Bless her heart. At this point it was 300am.
This morning Andy woke up Vincent for school and told him that Kaley had passed away. He got upset after it sunk in. Poor guy. This is the first time for him dealing with death. We told him that we wanted him to go to school today. It wouldn't have done well for him to sit around the house and mope. So he was okay with that. I did tell him that if he got to a point where he was upset and wanted to come home to let his teacher know to call home. I would come get him. I didn't want my son balling his eyes out in his classroom.
So the guy shows up at around 800am. Such a sweet guy. I was balling again. Andy brough Kaley to the front and the guy then took her in his arms. I rubbed her little cold nose and said goodbye. He of course was sympathtic and said that they would take good care of her. I am always amazing at how composed people like that are. I mean they have to be. But I know as an animal lover, I probably couldn't be so composed.
So Andy took Vincent to school and talked with his teacher. She was very nice about the whole situation. She has a puppy of her own.
Leilani was pretty mopey today because she knew that Kaley was gone. I do think that animals have a sense for death just as much as we do. They of course weren't blood sisters, but they were family since it was our family. They played with each other all day everyday.
The cremation center called today in the afternoon and said her ashes would be ready for pick up by tmrw. I picked out a box with a photo frame to put her photo in it.
I feel bad because I know I didn't take nearly enough photos as I would have liked to. You never know when people or in this case pets will no longer be with us. Life surely is precious. I know I definately take it for granted. So here is probably one of the last photos I have of her. We were at the dog park with Leilani's litter-mates. We usually get together with the other dog owners so the puppies can socialize. She was taking a break from the fun to get a drink. She was always willing to please and always had a smile on her face. Yes dogs smile. LOL.
Thank you so much for reading.
