Goodbye Sherlock

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Last evening we said goodbye to Sherlock. Since Christmas his bad days were more often than his good and this week he started to decline rapidly. On Tuesday we made Sherlock’s final appointment with our vet. Amazingly he had a good day yesterday. So we decided to make a great day. It was a bit rainy but DD and I took him for a small walk. Then Sherlock got a good long brushing with the Zoom Groom (this was one of his favorite things). As it came closer to the appointment DD, Sherlock and I went for a car ride (another of his favorite things). We dropped off laundry at the cleaners where Sher got a cookie and lots of ear scratching. We then went to Bruster’s Ice Cream Shop where Sherlock got a puppy ice cream cup (small scoop of vanilla ice cream with a dog biscuit topping). It was raining harder so we all climbed in the backseat of my car and enjoyed our ice cream.

Because of the cancer’s growth we had recently begun to spoon feed Sherlock. We had to do the same thing with the ice cream. I used the dog biscuit as a spoon to scoop a bit of ice cream and Sherlock would lick it off. If I didn’t get the next scoop quick enough for him he would make a tiny little woof and pat my knee like he was saying “hurry up mom”. He absolutely loved having the ice cream and undivided attention.

Then it was time to go to the vet. We had made the appointment at the end of the day so our vet would not be rushed. The staff had a room all ready for us complete with a nice soft blanket for Sherlock to lie on. We have been using this vet for many years and our younger DD worked there for a while; so all the staff knew Sherlock. They all came in the room to love on him and say goodbye. Then it was time. DD and I stayed with Sherlock as the vet gave him the sedative and the second injection. Sherlock gave a final sigh as if saying “ahh, no more pain” and slipped away quietly and peacefully.

Goodbye Sherlock Holmes Super Sleuth, we miss you but we know you are enjoying being able to once again run, bark and chase squirrels on the other side.

 

Sherlock Holmes Super Sleuth - October 27, 2000 to January 5, 2011

[Lynda Kamrath]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful last day story.  A great photo of Sherlock also.

[Kathy Janes]

such sweet last thoughts.  I've known that pain and wondered why did God create a creature of such unconditional love and then give them such relatively short lives.  We still have so much to learn from them.  My heart goes out to you all.

[Frannie & Callie]

Nina -what a beautiful last day y'all gave Sherlock. He was a such a sweet and special boy and he knew that he was loved every minute of his life. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Oh dear - just when I thought that I was all cried out.  I am so very sorry that Sherlock has passed on.  I hope the wonderful last day that you had together and all of your many memories will bring you peace.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Goodbye Sherlock. It sounds like you had a wonderful last day, and it sounds like you were a wonderful pup.

[GBK]

Nina, I am so sorry.....  You made that last day such a joy for him.  My heart aches for you, because even though you know the day will come, it is never easy.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Well, I am crying like a baby after reading your beautiful post. I wish I had done all these things with our old lab that had to be put to sleep at age 14. I didn't want her to sense what was happening, so I tried to just act normal. I have regretted so many times that I did not sleep with her on her last night home. YOU did a great job of making everything perfect for your wonderful dog. RIP Sherlock and go get those squirrels.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Rest in peace, sweet Sherlock. You left this world as you lived in it - surrounded by love. Those squirrels at the Bridge had better watch out!

Nina, I am so sorry for your loss.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

A very good friend once had a big ole lab that had to be put to sleep.  She simply sent me an e-mail that read "Buster is now chasing Ice Cream Trucks in Heaven" ....... every time I read one of these unfortunate stories that e-mail always comes to my mind and I always have a simply quiet moment where I know that whatever their pain was, they are now once again happy, chasing ice cream trucks in Heaven!  It is such a good thing they bring so much happiness for the short time they are with us, because loosing them hurts so much we would probably never do it again otherwise.  RIP Sherlock!

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Those pesky squirrels won't know what happened now that Sherlock is there to chase them!  He's having a wonderful time, living it up while waiting at the bridge.  This was hard for me to read about, too many memories about losing my dear Black Jack nearly four years ago but my doodles really help and yours will too.  Clifford and Little Dood send you hugs too to make the loss a little more bearable.