Dora
May 21, 1994
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July 23, 2010
(Written by my HD for his "baby girl.)
"Dora was our 'child' for just over 16 years. She was loveable and never met a person she didn't like. In her life, she never had a cross word for anyone. She did have a few for some four-legged critters who tried to get in her space but for people, especially children, she was always ready to meet a new friend.
She was a red-head who had no fear of rattlesnakes or, for that matter, skunks. She never cried when she hurt. She was always ready with a hug for her 'parents.' Sometimes there was a kiss included with that hug. You never knew when, though, and it was always wet and sloppy, the best kind!
When she was very young, she managed to get into a cactus patch, prickley pear cactus, at that. We spent several hours pulling thorns from her little body. She never complained, not once, while we pulled those thorns. Later she developed cysts from the thorns we missed but, again, she never complained.
She was extremely bow-legged and, because of that, she had problems with long walks. After one such walk, she couldn't even use her back legs. She dragged them along the floor to get from place to place. We learned not to let her walk for long distances and she did well for a long time.
Over time, arthritis set in and the bow legs were again a source of problems. Sometimes, after a nap, her legs wouldn't hold her up for a few minutes. She never complained.
One night we thought she had a seizure. Turns out it was similar to vertigo, except extremely severe. She couldn't tell which way was up and would just roll on the floor and look terrified. We were terrified, too. The doctor gave her valium and told us to continue the medicine until she was recovered, which took about 6 weeks. After this episode, she couldn't tell where her snacks were when they were offered. We had to make sure to offer them to the left side of her head so she could find them. She loved carrots, raw carrots, and raw potatoes. And hotdogs. And anything else that was good to eat.
Her eyes turned from a deep black to a milky gray and her hearing failed. She could see shadows and could hear loud, sharp sounds. Still no complaints from her. We did notice that she was beginning to grunt when we would pick her up but we attributed that to her age. She was incontinent so we put waterproof sheets on her bed.
During her sixteenth year, she began to sleep most of the time and her body began to look as if she were getting fat, except that she was losing weight. This was also the year she lost her lifetime companion, Dach, who was 5 months her senior, to liver failure and just plain old age. We took her to her doctor and found that she also was suffering from liver failure. The doctor said her liver was 4 times normal size and the blood analysis showed it was failing.
Being the selfish parents we were, we told ourselves that she would be okay. We were wrong. She began to show the symptoms of not being able to think - senility. She would get lost in a corner and not be able to figure a way out. She would sit down almost anywhere and go to sleep. When she would wake, she would wander in circles as though she was lost. We could tell she was hurting by the way she walked. Her legs would collapse, especially the left rear.
It was time. We couldn't let her suffer the way Dach suffered before he was allowed to rest. It was probably the most difficult thing we had done since Dach. In fact, it was more so because she was our 'last child to leave home' and we knew she couldn't visit us, ever again.
I find myself looking for her when I come in the house and I had to fill the corner next to my desk where she would sleep for as long as I would stay at my desk. The clock in my head tells me it is time for her dinner or her snack and I can't seem to disconnect that clock. When I go to the couch to watch TV, I miss her lying next to me. When I go to bed, I miss her then, too. I only hope she is again able to chase the rabbits where she is now.
I am not sure I can ever have another 'child' like Dora. The pain of loss is just to much to consider. I learned from her, and from Dach. Patience and love had always been difficult for me to express. They taught me both during their altogether too short lives.
She was my baby girl and I miss her. "
Dora joins her big brother, Dach, at Rainbow Bridge-
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
