Saying Goodbye To Dolce

Coming off my second breakup, I did not go the route of getting drunk with my sorority sisters or buying a lot of unnecessary ideas.  Instead I went to the pound.  I made my first adoption of a cat the

year earlier so I was ready to add a dog into the mix.  Missing my parents’ chow, I immediately took to a red chow mix.  Then I saw her.

In the kennel across the way was a white lab/husky mix.  Her eyes were downcast as dogs around her made a ruckus.  She slowly came to the gate to put her nose to my hand.  Being the dog lover I was, I asked to take her out of the yard to play thinking to myself, “Might as well let her have some fresh air.”

We went out to the yard where she followed at my heels.  I sat down to pet her.  She proceeded to put her head on my shoulder and lean into my neck.  For that moment, she chose me…I do not choose her.  This is how Dolce came into my life.

Dolce was in her terrible 2’s but beyond that she had significant separation anxiety due to prior abuse.  She hid from guests particularly men.  She would not stay on a piece of furniture when you sat next to her.  She destroyed numerous DVD, remote controls, and even a hot tub cover.  But I finally gained her trust, and from that point, she was continuously loyal to me.

Her loyalty went beyond greeting me at the door.  Dolce would sleep in her bed next to me where we would have daily cuddle times.  She would sit in the passenger backseat with her nose just slightly outside traveling to different locations with me. When I left for the day, she would watch me from the window as I was driving away.  Her wagging tail and smile brought me happiness every day. 

Everything changed this past Sunday.  Just 72 hours prior, Dolce started showing signs of exhausted and refusing food.  Thinking it was potential dehydration; I changed her diet and encouraged increased water.  She slightly rebounded to enjoy a cooler summer Friday and Saturday, but on Saturday night, her conditioned worsen.  She has having difficulty breathing and refused all food and water.  Early on Sunday, thinking about anything to make her excited, I asked if she wanted to go on a car ride.  Using her last resource of energy, she wagged her tail, heading to the door, and left my house for the last time.

Dolce was strong and loyal to the end.  The cancer which caused the bleeding in her body would have been causing her pain over the last month, but she never showed in.  Even on our last walk together last Sunday, Dolce sniffed every spot, chased after every animal, and wagged her tail the whole time.  The night before she left, Dolce laid right next to me struggling breathing and trying to get rest.  Even when I said goodbye, her tired eyes kept focused on me as she fought to stay with me.

 

Dolce saw the worst of me and enjoyed the best of me.  When I was going thru depression, she would require me to get out of bed and take care of her.  She would get me up from walks, and I would reward her with ice cream.  She lived in different houses, dealt with varied work hours, and different people during my life.  Dolce never stopped being by my side and being the sweetest dog I have ever had.

I have cried so much over the last three days that I don’t have the energy to cry anymore.  I am worried about Chanel who has never been without her sister.  Chanel has cried a little when laying on the coach Dolce and her shared nightly.  She looks over at her sister’s bowl and looks around the corner when I come home.

Dolce chose me, and I am so grateful she did because I was blessed and loved more then I deserved.