The day we have to take Cooper to the vet to put him down, Ranger and Chase were super hyper. Ranger especially. He is always laid back, only will move around when we call him. But that day, he was following us after I put Cooper’s collar on. Ranger and Chase were already at the door when we helped Cooper to the door. Cooper kinda stopped for a while at the door and we had to shoo the other two out of the way. The two others’ tail were wagging crazy and told them they cannot come. Told them to say their goodbyes to Cooper now. With that, we left them behind and when looked back as I shut the door, I saw their puppy eyes, tails all down. So darn sad. I have to said that day we all don’t need any fat burners for we were all running on adrenalin.
When we were in the car driving to the vet, we were wondering how the other two were as they acted really extraordinary. However when we got to the vet parking lot, we totally forgot about the other two and had to carry Cooper out from the car. He was able to hop in the car which surprised us both but he could not get out. He was still able to walk inside and even to the room where the nurses prepped for us (the exam table moved to the side and a big blanket laid on the floor). We directed Cooper to the blanket and asked him to lay down and the nurse went through some paperwork with us asking if we want private (will have his ashes back in an urn) or communal cremation. We declined his ashes but would like his paw print on a clay. The then told us they are going to leave us alone with him, taking our time. When we are ready to have them take him for prep, just call them. They then took him away to prep the catheter and carried him back to the room. So heartbreaking to see him being carried that way knowing how active he once was. Even one of the nurse carrying was crying.
When the nurses put him down on the floor, he walked to DB and I and his tail was wagging. It was the first time in 2 days he wagged his tail. It’s as if he is telling us he love us and thank you. He laid down on the same position he did for the past 5 days. He was unable to lay on his side, if he did, it was only for a second. Doc Mitchell came in, exchanged greetings, hugs and asked if we had gone through euthanasia before. Both DB and I had not gone through it before. He explained what he is going to do with the three shots (relax him – unconsciousness, respiratory, and cardiac arrest – heart stops). Doc M talked to Cooper and we had to coax him to lay down on his side which he didn’t want to. I then told Doc to help him relax. I had to tell Cooper a few times “Cooper, go to sleep” and Doc M administered the first shot which Cooper laid on his side right away. Within seconds he was relaxed (muscles twitching) and had this peaceful look on him. I was relieve to see that he was able to relax and sleep. Doc M administered the other two between 5 seconds. The final one we were able to hear Cooper took his last breath. As heart wrenching it was, I was happy he was not in pain or suffering anymore. I only had memories of him when we were playing tug-of-war. Funny how I had those memories during that time. There was not much muscles twitching after that. The tail was tucked between his legs when he laid down but when the muscles relaxed it was straight out. Doc M left after he checked Cooper’s heart stopped and told us to take as long as we want with him. DB and I spent another 10 minutes with Cooper. During that time, I smelled him and looked at his ears which already turned yellow as same as his teeth, and the white of his eyes. His eyes were still opened but the second lid (all water dogs has that 2nd lid so that they can see when they are swimming underwater) was covering them. Even DB said Cooper look so at peace, no anxious looking but just sleeping like himself. He did not defaecate or peed since he didn’t eat for so many days and no water at all since the morning. Basically he left a very clean boy, as always.
When we got home, the other two were wild. Ranger and Chase sniffed us down as usual but the unusual thing was they went upstairs checked out the rooms, downstairs everywhere and waited at the doors (front and garage) every few minutes. OMG, that was so hard to take in. They were looking for Cooper. That’s when DB and I thought we should have brought them with us.
We had to round up the two in the living room, pet them, talk to them and was with them for a while. They did the same thing as before each time I went out and came in to the house. The next day I had to go for a church thingy, they did the same thing and DB had to round them up.
Today I went to church and told my RCIA coordinator, about Cooper. She is a dog lover. She asked if I brought the other two with us to the vet during Cooper’s last time on earth. I said no and she said we should and was surprised our vet didn’t mention that option to us. Her son who is a veterinarian lecturing at a university in Michigan, said owners who have more than 1 dog should bring the other living one with them during the euthanasia. Dogs already can sense sickness and death on the sick dog. He said the living dog will get a sense of closure being with the sick dog when it dies. If the living dog is not present during the euthanasia, it will go searching for the sick dog. Immediately I felt so guilty. She told me don’t go on a guilt trip, it’s over. Next time we know what to do. She said that’s why the other two are going round the house looking for Cooper.
I have to say that the other two dogs are extremely clingy to us now. They want attention at all times. Them going around the house looking for Cooper has stopped. They did go over to where I hung up Cooper’s collar (by the stairs) to sniff it. I suppose in their minds they know Cooper is no longer with us. Their eyes will move when I say the name Cooper to them. Wish i can read their minds.
Dogs definitely are God’s gift, they teach human beings a lot about patience, loyalty, perseverance, humility, friendship and forgiveness. DB and I were talking about how Cooper was a whiner, a melodramatic dog, but never once he made noise during his last days with us. He only moved away from me many times when I talked, petted him, as if he does not want me to be sad, but no grunting from him. This is what I found on the web about animals that are dying:
In some cases, your pet will tell you it’s time. He will start to separate himself from you. If he has spent nearly every night sleeping beside, or in, your bed and he seeks out places that resemble a cave on what seems like a whim, he may be preparing himself for death. Pack animals in particular have been known to separate themselves from the pack in order to prevent the strong from becoming injured while protecting the weak. (http://www.professorshouse.com/Pets/Dogs/Health/Articles/Euthanasia/)
