It amazes me how I am mourning the loss of my dog. I suppose I'm over-analyzing things, but having to make the decision to euthanize her was by far, the hardest choice I've had to make.
Her appetite got the best of her. She was left on my sister's New Orleans' front porch, hooked up to Domino Dog's tether while my then-husband and 3 year old son were visiting. Natalie said it was fate, that she was meant to be our dog since we 'found' her on our sixth anniversary. Therefore, she, once I agreed, went on the quest to bring her to us.
Her arrival later that summer was coordinated with the airlines and gave Natalie an excuse to come home to visit. Our older dog, Daisy, didn't quite know what to think of the new arrival. Our cat had been killed by a car the previous fall and in my opinion, she enjoyed being an 'only pet'... but three-year-old Austin was ecstatic. We named her "
Bourbon Orleans" in honor of the city she was found in...and people who meet her thought she was a 'Katrina' Dog (or a Dixie Dog)... even though she wasn't.
Occasionally, my parents would take both Bourbon and Daisy to 'the Farm'. Walks with my dad allowed her to experience new smells from the 'wilderness' of Petersham, even a run in with a bear during a walk. Fortunately, the bear was at the end of the road and Bourbon was following the scent of a chipmunk and didn't even see the bear. Not quite sure if she would have registered what it was - a big dog, maybe? She did venture into my neighbor's horse pen one time. It only took one hoof to the head for her to realize that a horse isn't something to mess with. She also learned quickly after rolling in a turtle carcass... and being sprayed by a skunk. Most animal mishaps only occured once.
Her insatiable appetite was her demise. I believe she was either a runt of her litter or underfed in her first six months, as she gobbled up any food she could find, even if it was out of someone's hand, the trash, or her sister's dinner. She was stealthy, too. Our younger son, Cameron, would have food in one hand, turn to the right, and Bourbon would sneak in on the left. When I forgot my lunch on the counter, she helped herself to it while we were gone. She artfully ate an entire plate of devilled eggs one Easter - we felt the wrath of those eggs the rest of the week as her digestive system reminded us of them... I also think she enjoyed the Filet Mignon she stole from the counter, and rolled in on the dining room carpet. She slept for two days after that feast. I think that her girth was partly due to the fact that she would eat her food, then sneak upstairs to eat Daisy's food. Daisy was wasting away and Bourbon was doubling in size. Until we caught on to her act. We dubbed her the 'Sausage Dog'. However, years of damage had already been done. Her liver failed, diabetes surged, and in the last two weeks, she lost seven pounds, wouldn't eat and was extremely lethargic. Her addiction to food
I knew she wasn't herself, because the typically was the fierce barker. In the past, she forced the mailman substitute to leave a note saying he wouldn't leave the mail unless the door was closed (the glass storm door didn't keep the fierce dog at bay). She would let us know whenever someone was at the door or in the driveway. We really didn't need a doorbell. However, if you entered the house, she'd run the other way. Guard dog - well, maybe not. But as long as she was in the safety of her own yard or house, she let everyone know. Including our neighborhood dogs as they paraded around the block.
Older son Austin wanted to ensure that Bourbon had her 'Last Walk' around the block. Felt a bit like the Green Mile...and certainly it was the farthest Bourbon had walked in the last two weeks. But she made it, and I'm glad that Austin got to be a part of that. They didn't come with me to the vet, and I'm glad that was the case.
I'm thankful for the time you spent with us Bourbon. Please enjoy Heaven chasing Pogo Cat with Domino Dog and going on a walk with Grandpa Allen in his 'Rascal'.
