The Long Good Bye
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 06:43AM It's dark now when I take the girls out for their morning walks. This morning the air was crispy cold and the snow sparkled and glittered on the residue of autumn that still gathers around the bowls of trees and swirls upward from the curb in the wake of passing cars. (Yes, I dreamily wrote that sentence in my head as I walked along, silly me.)
I enjoy walking in our peaceful, dark neighborhood in the early morning. Everything looks and sounds so different before the sun comes up. There's not as much to 'see' in the dark, but there's still as much to notice.
Unless you're Eve. Poor Eve. She is very nearly blind. She walks slowly now with her head down, sniffing her way along the tree lawn. This morning she walked right into several trees and a hydrant. I've realized this morning that I must now save 'looking around' for my walk with Ivy so that I can pay closer attention to where Eve is headed.
It breaks my heart to see her failing. I just discovered that the tumor we've removed twice already has recurred--this time it's flat and hard instead of raised and soft. When she had the last one removed in July, the vet told us that while it was, again, benign, this kind of growth can turn cancerous at any time. So, Eve goes to the vet on Friday morning to have it taken off and we'll have another day or two of worry as we wait to learn whether it is cancer.
It's sad to realize that we won't have Eve with us much longer. The lifespan of a Vizsla is between 9-12 years and Eve will be twelve in May. I have heard of Vizsla living to be 14, but that is very rare. So I am forced on mornings like this to think about the brevity of life and appreciate and give thanks again--for as long as we have her--for our loving companion, Eve.
Reader Comments (7)
Oh, Kim, I am so sorry to hear about Eve!! It is so hard to say goodbye to a much-loved friend, and I'm not sure it is any easier when you know it's coming. I will be praying for you and your family as you wait for the word from the vet. You have such beautiful dogs, and I know that you have given Eve the best home a dog could have. I'm so sorry!!
Kim, I am so very sorry that Eve's tumor has returned. It goes without saying that we will be praying over here. Poor, sweet Eve.
Kim--so sorry about Eve. Thinking and praying for you all...
And your sentence you wrote while walking is BEAUTIFUL!
Poor Eve. They bring us such joy, but it's so sad when they grow older and eventually....well, you know.
I'm so sorry to hear about your precious Eve...what a difficult thing to go through.
Dearest Eve - We hope to live a good long life like you. Sorry to hear of the tumors return. We will light a candle and say prayers for some good news.
Poor Eve - poor Kim! It's so hard to see a loved pet get old and sick - and finally to let go. During the past three years I've gone through that process twice. Hang in there, Kim - and give Eve some extra kisses!