Not only am I an avid pet sitter, but for a while I had a few pets of my own. This is a story of my first dog I ever owned and cared for completely.
It happened while I was working my usual morning shift at the Veterinary Hospital. I was up front in the office getting some more paper towels for the back and I saw this skeleton of a dog walk in. She was escorted by a staff member at the Chautauqua County Humane Society. We got to talking and I learned she was seized from her owners that left her outside in the Winter with no food, water, or shelter. I could tell she was "supposed" to be a Golden Retriever, but she hadn't been for quite a while. Instead she was emaciated with a sunken skull and I could count her ribs; it was so sad.
Yet her tail was wagging. She walked in, oblivious to how neglected she was by her previous human, and proceeded to seek love from us. Her Golden Retriever soul was still there. I found out later her name was "Sutherland". A strange name but it somehow suited her. She got a wellness exam from the Veterinarian and needed to gain about 40 lbs. She wasn't spayed and had a couple of large masses growing on her. She got vaccinated and was taken back to the Humane Society until they were able to gain legal custody of her. I couldn't shake her from my mind. Her gentle face and wagging tail stayed with me for months and I kept asking about her. I decided that when she was able to be adopted out, I wanted her. Now I haven't mentioned how old this dog was. She was estimated to be 12 years old, a ripe age for a Golden. I didn't care, it was love at first sight. I needed her and she needed me.
Here is her the first day she came home with me, March 12, 2016. What a pretty lady, my Sutherland. We hit it off right away! She would follow me around my apartment, sleep by my bedside, and every time I got home from work she had this astonished look on her face, just so happy to see me. She gained weight and I trimmed her hair; she finally began to resemble the dog she was supposed to be. I did end up getting her spayed and some lumps taken off so her body wouldn't have to work so hard. I was very nervous that day. Perks of working in a Veterinary Hospital, I was able to be right by her side the whole time. My co-workers took great care of her while she stayed overnight to be monitored and receive fluids.
She came back home with me and proceeded to recover wonderfully. At the end of April 2016, my lease was up in my current apartment so my old lady and I had to move. We found a nice apartment out of town with a beautiful yard to lay in. She loved it. However, along with the new apartment came something unfortunate. My Sutherland (or Summerwind I liked to call her) began to have seizures. They would last 30 seconds or so and although she would seem dazed and exhausted afterwards, she was still herself. The awesome Veterinarian I worked for got her on some anti-seizure medication and that helped for a while. She would still have one occasionally so I began to bring her to work with me at the hospital so I could monitor her. Her energy level began to droop, her appetite slowly changed before it went away. I was doing whatever I could to keep her healthy. Yet while all of this was going on, she still was wagging that tail. She still loved seeing me walk through the door and snuggle up on the floor with me.
My friends would go check on her when I had to work, the Veterinarians and techs would give me advice on how to help her. Yet the fateful night eventually came. July 1st, 2016, a mere 3 1/2 months after I brought her home. She came into my room after bedtime and I assumed she had to go out. She was breathing hard, so I carried her. We stood outside in the warm Summer night for a while till I carried her back in. She laid down, took a few more labored breaths until she took her last one. My Summerwind was gone. She went peacefully and happily at home with me by her side.
So many people reached out and gave me love after she died, and I missed her so much. Yet somehow I was able to find peace. I knew how happy she was the 3 1/2 months I had her, and I was proud of that. She struggled with health issues but we figured it was some sort of cancer that ended her. There are days I wish I had more time with her, but I am glad I made the decision to adopt her not really knowing what I was getting into. Everyone told me how great of a life I gave her but really it was just the opposite. Would I rescue another senior dog again? In a heartbeat. It takes a lot of courage knowing they won't be with you long, but to keep them safe and happy in their final days is well worth it. Hope you're resting easy Summerwind. Your uncrushable spirit and wagging tail will always live on in my memories.
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