Just a few weeks ago we had to say goodbye to our dear Whippet Millie, aged sixteen. The decision was inevitable though had been so painful contemplating exactly when. Millie’s condition; though undiagnosed, appeared to be some form of dementia and the quality-of-life and personality of our girl was fading by the day. Heartbreaking to see her like that and we knew we had to let her go as peacefully and as stress-free as possible, for both Millie and ourselves.
On 16 May, two members of the team from Edgewood Veterinary Practise, Nicola and Jess, came to my home. Millie was lying in her bed when they arrived and remained there. With us were our two other hounds, Bella our pedigree whippet, aged thirteen and whom I used to ‘show’ and Romeo, purchased as a pup under the guise of a Bedlington/Whippet/Cross, though he looks little like either but the most affectionate, intelligent boy you couldn’t wish to meet. Romeo loves people and has a spontaneous, enthusiastic greeting display and for that reason I had arranged for a friend to take both he and Bella ‘walkies’ while we said goodbye to Millie; amazingly though he remained calm when Nicola and Jess arrived; so calm in fact that I decided to let both he and Bella remain with us in the room as these two professionals carried out their task. I do not exaggerate when I say that the room seemed filled with peace, Bella trotted off to her bed in the garden and Romeo looked on.
Throughout the event my preferences and wishes were sought and deferred to at every stage as I sat on a stool next to Millie’s bed stroking her whispering, ‘Bye-bye my Mill-Mill, see you in heaven.’
Reminiscing
with my friend later and though wanting to appear fanciful we went as far as
agreeing it felt like a spiritual experience.
When we say goodbye to anyone dear including our pets, we are also
acknowledging the passing of our own lives and of the years we shared - and
those precious memories can never die.
Poppy
Ann Miller
