A Sad Good-Bye to George

Friday marked the end of two very long days, and a day that I truly was not ready for.  It was one that came less than a month from losing our precious Sheba.  I said good-bye to George.  He'd been doing pretty well, and silently I was celebrating because the herbs that I was giving him to slow the growth of the oral tumor seemed to be working. But a few weeks ago, I realized that the tumor was getting bigger. Unfortunately no matter what supplements and medications I tried increasing or adding, they didn't work.

~A first photo of George, April 2015~

The last couple of weeks had been hard for George for several reasons that were all related to the tumor. I talked to the holistic vet, and we decided to increase the amount of pain medication he was taking, and add one more herb.  It helped, and he was able to get the rest he really needed.  But by Thursday he was getting more and more reluctant to get up and was needing more help. Friday, he didn't want to get up at all, and he didn't want his breakfast, which was a first.  I knew it was time to say good-bye, even though I wasn't ready.  Not that I ever would have been.

~July 2015~

I called the Mobile Vet and he came. He felt that the cancer had probably spread internally and that nothing more could be done. With a shake of his head and so much like the gentleman that he was, George quietly left this world for the next.

~5-12-16 -- One year and one day after we met George~

What came afterwards was truly a unique and special experience.  The service that will cremate and return George's remains to us, came to the house after we let him go.  The vet left about 30 or so minutes prior to their coming, which meant I was left alone with George.  It was without a doubt the perfect chance to say that final good-bye and not feel the rush of being at a vets office, or having anyone around.   Time truly stood still in those solemn moments and the house seemed filled with peace and calm as I said all those things to him that come only from your heart in moments of sadness.  I also allowed the dogs to see George one final time.

~March 2016~

When George was taken from our house, I walked with the two gentlemen outside,  I noticed a butterfly in our garage. It lazily and magically fluttered around the door of the garage going inside and out, I couldn't help but watch it as it floated around the van the two men were driving. In the Old World, the butterfly was thought to be the spirit of the dead.  Other legends say it's a sign of transformation.  I could only think at that moment of the quote that says "Butterflies are free."  ........  

Fly free my handsome Georgie until we meet again one day at the Rainbow Bridge.

~One of the last photos taken of George 9-16~