In Memory

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer so,
The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me until the end,
I know in time that you will see,
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve, it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do,
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

Georgie

Georgie was a 6 year old German Shepherd & Husky mix who was surrendered by his family in early 2009 because he was having seizures. With all of the stress of living in a shelter, he became a little reactive (which can be misunderstood as aggressive). He was a very gentle and sweet dog who got along very well with other dogs despite being quite aloof with people.

Georgie came to live with me earlier this year and due to his serious medical condition, he had to be resurrendered to the Toronto Humane Society for 24/7 monitoring by the vets.

I visited him occasionally, taking him out for walks and spoiling him rotten with his favourite treats - freeze-dried liver, and tons of love. He and Parker were instant "brothers" as I think Parker really understood his struggles and became very protective over him; laying beside him calmly while he had seizures and watching over him while he napped.

Georgie loved bum-scratches more than anything in the world - he would "march" his back legs on the spot and stick his nose right up in the air. He had a few favourite toys - a stuffed squirrel with a tennis ball in its belly, and a firehose toy that he was never able to chew through (but that didn't stop him from trying!).

I was notified this week that Georgie's seizures got worse and the medication was not helping to keep them under control - a sign that his condition had truly worsened. In order to stop his suffering, the veterinarians at the THS made the very difficult decision to have him put to sleep.

Georgie was a very special boy and holds a very special place in my heart.

In loving memory of Georgie - 2003 - 2009

Willie

Willie was born in 1996 to a family in Mississauga, Ontario. I always called him my "other dog" as I used to dog-sit him when he was a pup and every time I go home for a visit, he is the first to greet me when I get out of the car. Willie was a purebred Golden Retriever who turned 13 this past September. He lived "the good life", in a big home with a warm family who took care of him as he deserved to be cared for. Willie had some struggles in his later years but with rounds of treatment, excellent veterinary care and a lot of love, he beat Cancer.

Willie could always be found lounging happily on the front lawn with a tennis ball or two, supervising the younger pups on the street and keeping a close eye on his humans. He was the kind of dog who could make even the meanest of dogs roll over on their back and beg to play. He was a gentle giant with a cold, wet nose, big brown eyes that could melt the heart of anyone who looked into them and a sweet, loving disposition.

After any absence, whether it was hours or months, Willie remembered his friends, both canine and human. He would saunter over, his tail wagging slowly and casually, and finally would stop to rest against your leg. He usually had soggy tennis ball in his mouth, but that didn't stop him from telling you what was on his mind. He would groan and grunt in his dog-language as if there was so much to catch up on after all this time.

When he got his "fix" of lovins, he would saunter back to his spot on the lawn, leaving the human with a full heart and a pant leg full of fur. I know that it was his time and that he held on for as long as he could. He was so special to so many of us and was such a brave pup.

I will miss him so much - coming up to our door looking for love, the big leaning hugs and the dog-speak. I'll miss coming home for a visit and running straight for him for lovins, only to get it back ten-fold. He really was the "King of the Street" and he will be sorely missed. Willie-dog is now up there with many other old friends, running like a mad-man with a soggy tennis ball in his mouth.

In loving memory of Willie - 1996 - 2009