Saturday, August 31, 2019

A Sad Good-Bye to Baloo

I am single-dog-parenting while Carl is out of town this week. With work and caring for the dogs, it has left time for little else. 

One thing that kept me busy and had me worried was Baloo. He was barely able to get to his feet, and somehow I'd managed to keep him going, but by Thursday I knew he needed to go to the vet. The vet decided to try cold-laser therapy as a tune-up to the same treatment he received back in June in hopes he would get a bounce from it.  But by yesterday (Friday) I knew that it hadn't.
~A tired Baloo on Thursday~
This morning Baloo's strength and willingness to try to stand or even put his head up was totally gone. This only told me what I'd known and was feeling all week. It was time for us to say good-bye.

In the peaceful setting of an apple orchard Baloo and I spent our last tender moments together.
~Baloo's harness and collar afterwards in the orchard~
In the cool grass I stroked his beautiful white muzzle, and I couldn't help but reflect how quickly our 4 months together had passed. I told Baloo how he'd totally stolen my heart that first day we met -- How even though I knew he had happy times with us, I wished I had been able to mend what I knew was his broken heart ...
~Baloo, the first day we met, such sadness!! ~
I told him how I wished I'd known him in his younger days -- How I loved having him as part of our lives and I told him what I would remember about him -- I told him how I wished he could have stayed longer -- And I kissed him one more time and told him how I look forward to seeing him again one day.


God-Speed to blue-Baloo. This quiet and gentle, old soul easily took with him a piece of my heart, and I will always have a piece of his in mine.
~The last photo I took of Baloo - A much happier face!!~

Baloo's Rainbow color is blue. I've given him that color for several reasons. One is because the cataracts in his eyes sometimes made his eyes look blue. I especially noticed that today. And the color blue can also be one of sadness, which was something that I felt from Baloo. I hope that as he arrives at the Rainbow Bridge, that sadness is replaced with joy and he's able to do something his tired old body wouldn't allow, and that's to run.... 

                                                                            Run free Baloo..... 


This video of Baloo from about 3 weeks ago, always makes me smile - He loved mealtime and would always grab any nearby bowls!  One time, he even grabbed Charlie's while he was still eating!  


27 comments:

  1. Such a short time with you, but full of love and care. No matter how short or for a very long time, they leave a huge part of themselves with us. Run free, darling Baloo, no pain, and a joyous greeting as you crossed the bridge. Perfect place for the last moments together, green grass, a blue sky, and a shady tree. XXX

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  2. I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Baloo. *hugs*

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  3. You gave Baloo such loving care in the few months he was with you, that it surely helped mend his broken heart. Bless him, and now he can run free, with happy memories of your time together in his heart.

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  4. oh that face. to see the one on the day you met and then the life that came back into his eyes. to know he was loved! the fact that he knew joy and safety and love from YOU and his family. that's what matters.
    shared tears for this beloved boy. your beautiful Baloo. XO

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  5. Baloo had love and peace in his final months and that is a beautiful thing.

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  6. Hello, I am glad Baloo spent his last days with you. He was a sweetie! So sorry, hugs!

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  7. We're sorry to hear sweet Baloo earned his wings today. He will certainly be waiting at the Bridge for you with a smile for all the love you gave him.

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  8. Thank you again for making an older dog feel special. They can look so sad but I think he seemed so happy that he had you those last few months. Hugs.

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  9. It reminds me of a couple of those trips I had to take.

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  10. Hi Kim, This just broke our hearts as we have a soft spot for seniors. Thank you for making the last days for Baloo special that he so deserved.
    This says what we truly feel, God Bless You and God Bless Baloo as he arrives at the Rainbow Bridge.

    A foster family's promise:
    Here in this house......
    I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
    I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
    I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
    I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
    I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
    and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
    My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.
    Here in this house...
    There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
    I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,
    I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
    I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
    My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!
    Here in this house...
    I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
    I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
    I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
    I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
    I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
    If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.
    Here in this house...
    I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
    Knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
    If I am ill, I will be doctored.
    If scared, I will be calmed.
    If sad, I will be cheered.
    No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
    I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
    My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
    I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.
    Here in this house...
    I will belong.
    I will be home.
    Anonymous...

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  11. You, the pack, the family, and your home provided a loving, safe place for Baloo's last months and what could have been better than that? Be at peace as Baloo is now at peace.

    Big hugs

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  12. We're so glad that Baloo had a peaceful end surrounded by love.

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  13. Farewell, Baloo. As always we're so happy he made his way to your house for his last days. So much love and care.

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  14. We too fell in love with that sweet face when Baloo first came to Golden Pines. We know there will be a void in your life where he held a special spot. Only four months together, BUT they were filled with love from you and gratitude from him.

    Hugs and Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber and Mom

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  15. I'm so glad that he had those months with you and the pack. Run free dear Baloo, pain free and happy.

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  16. Hi Kim, This just broke our hearts as we have a soft spot for seniors. Thank you for making the last days for Baloo special that he so deserved.

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  17. He may have had a broken heart, but I know he felt the love from you. He was blessed to be surrounded by it st the end. Hugs!

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  18. We are so sad to hear about Baloo. He looks like such a sweetheart!

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  19. Thank you so much for all you did for him. It's a heartbreaking job at times.

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  20. It doesn't get any easier. Baloo was a fine fellow. You can be one hundred percent sure he's running ahead, studying the sky and praising the day you met.

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  21. I am sure Baloo knew how much he was loved over these last 4 months, and you made that time so special for him. We are so sorry for your loss. ♥

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  22. Sending you love and hugs. I'm so sorry to hear about Baloo. Take comfort in knowing that you made the final part of his life the very best ever.

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  23. Baloo was so very lucky to spend his last 4 months with you. I am sending him loving vibes on his journey and sending you lots and lots of hugs. What you do is so very hard but a gift from God.

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  24. Awwww..... precious, precious Baloo! *sigh* But what a solid & secure end-of-life he had, being confident in his care & love. You were a gift to him, Kim... and you are a gift that keeps on giving! God bless you for that! Love & deepest sympathy~ Andrea xoxo

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  25. I am so sorry Kim. Tears are falling,,,,
    You healed Baloos sad broken heart
    love
    tweedles

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  26. We send you and your family purrs and prayers of support. Dear Baloo you are again young and full of energy playing over the Bridge

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!