Death in the Family
This morning at about four in the morning, I heard Koda struggling downstairs. These last few months, Koda has been struggling with severe pain in his front legs and weakness in his rear legs; however, despite this, he seemed happy and comfortable, so we have been putting off the inevitable. When I made it downstairs, I found him sprawled out on the floor unable to get up and finally realized that the end was upon us. When Koda could no longer get up on his own was when it was too much for him.
Though this has hit Jill and me hard, it has been heartbreaking to watch McKenzie, our four-year-old, face this new reality. McKenzie immediately recognized that something was wrong, telling her mommy not to be sad when Jill broke down in tears several times. Jill tried to explain to her that it was alright to be sad, but McKenzie insisted that she should be happy. Initially, McKenzie showed us no signs of true understanding of the situation.
Then today, while at dance class, Jill sent me a text message:
I didn’t think she was much affected by Koda but she just broke down in tears to Onalee. My puppy is going away. My poor little girl.
McKenzie now asks if Koda will here when she wakes up or when she gets home and where will he go when he goes go away. Jill has had to field these questions, and now she is struggling even more with his imminent departure.
Tomorrow night, the vet comes over, and we say our final goodbyes.
