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Honey, we will miss you

Honey died suddenly this morning, most likely from a stroke or heart attack. Thomas was with her when it happened. He told us that she was in the living room with him and she started gagging, yelping, and thrashing about the room. It was over quickly and she collapsed to the floor. Thomas went over to her then and called her name, but she was gone. Her death has hit Thomas the hardest because he and Honey were very close. Coco pretty much ignores everyone but me, but Honey would meet Thomas at the door every day when he got off the bus, she would follow him around the house, they played together, Thomas hugged and kissed her often, and the two of them had a very special bond. She was an affectionate and loving dog who was as much a part of this family as any of us and we will all miss her.

We let Thomas more or less make the choice about what to do with her body. I would have had Thomas help me dig a grave for her in the back yard, but we are moving from this house in a few months. We ended up deciding to have her cremated. This probably sounds ludicrous to anyone who's never loved---truly loved---a pet, but our dogs have always been more than just animals that live in our house, they are a daily part of our family life and they give and recieve as much love as anyone else in the house. Honey's death will leave a big hole.

Thomas had originally decided that he was going to fast for three days to honor Honey. I reminded him that Honey really liked food, though, and wouldn't want him to do that. So, instead, he's decided to honor her by eating six meals a day for three days. Now that would make Honey proud!

Posted by Ron Pacheco at April 2, 2005 11:55 AM