a time and season for everything
I have never considered myself a true dog mom. My husband will say it, even rub it in with delight, especially after witnessing me looking out for our domesticated canines. In truth, I am one, but often deny it, justifying my actions as one merely taking responsibility for all under our roof. Oso was my third furry child, but unlike the first two, he managed to meander his way into my heart, securing a spot to slump, settling in no matter how often I'd try shooing him away.
The Martha in me points to how my floors are cleaner without animals, like I want them to be. The Mary in me misses the clickety-clack of his paws and how his warm furry body lay relaxed under the table at dinnertime. I miss rubbing my toes up against his smooth side. Oso always welcomed the human touch from those he knew best. Our new kitty was really warming up to him, playful and distracting, but Oso was far more interested in playing with one of his people. When my kids had their friends over, he would radiate energy, racing along as they made their way in and out of the house until a door slammed and the dog was stuck. It was endearing to catch him peer out a window if only to follow along mentally.
While having dinner last night, I pulled flavorful chicken skin off a drumstick and my first thought was to give it to Oso. Typically, I'd have a kid put it in his dish after we cleared the table. Instead, it went into the trash.
I saw the agony in my husband first. He felt it much sooner and deeper than I did. Hard decisions such as this cannot be reversed. A sudden injury had brought our Thanksgiving plans to a screeching halt. It didn't make sense to put down a seemingly healthy and vibrant four and a half year old beloved family dog. But God was good even as we wondered and sought help. He answered our prayer with a clear prognosis by a specialist, which matched the initial ER visit. We had planned on flying to the opposite side of the country. Had it happened a day or two after we left, it would have complicated everything with neighbors dog-sitting while trying to enjoy their Thanksgiving week. Our kids were real troopers about staying home to help care for Oso as natural, untrained therapy supporters. Our eldest helped carry his sixty pound frame in and out, easily accompanying Dad to see the vet.
When my two younger kids and I walked into Oso's room at the large animal hospital, that last day, he turned to look as he lay in his wagon. I felt his appreciation for having the rest of his pack gather. We were complete and that was enough for him. He wanted nothing more.
Oso was most content sitting with everyone in the same room. He was known for being interested in where everyone was going or checking to see what room they were in. When he was still adjusting to our family, it looked like he would count in his doggie head until he had all five of us sorted.
I never understood how hard it was to say goodbye to furry family members until we had to put Oso down. I'd never said goodbye to a pet like that. We spoke tearful words of thanksgiving. There was also time for prayer - a shared bond as a family unit.
I'd always imagined we'd have him for a lifetime, as in well over a decade. He'd get to be an old dog, then we'd have to put him down, and it would be okay because that's just what you have to do.
As I write, I wonder how the experience has changed us. We've barely adjusted to home on the East Coast. The timing of Oso's passing was interesting; only five months after our move. In my mind, there must be a lesson somewhere in all of this. As always, I look to the Scriptures. Solomon's reflections in Ecclesiastes hit the spot:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace
*He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world (eternity) in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end*
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