Monday, June 02, 2008

Goodbye Nala


Yesterday we said a very sad goodbye to Nala, our family pet of 13 years. It was one of the saddest days I’ve been through in a very long time. We didn’t have much time to say goodbye her; she became very sick and we had to make an extremely hard decision.
I’m glad I saw her in the morning as her usual self. I’m sure she would have wanted to go for a jog with me that morning but I didn’t take her. When I returned I fed her and took her outside. Later that morning my husband found her having a seizure at which time we didn’t know what was happening to her. We thought she was dying so we called Ella to over to say her goodbyes. Ella was sadly saying her goodbyes and telling Nala that she was surrounded by the people who loved her the most so everything was going to be ok. Nala continued having grand mal seizures about every half hour. It was so hard to watch her go through them. After the first seizure occurred she didn’t seem coherent of her surroundings. I don’t know if she even recognized us. My sister stopped by and witnessed another seizure and helped us with our decision for her. She said her goodbyes to Nala and shortly after that my parents came over to say goodbye. Nala adored my dad and while she didn’t seem coherent of us around her she sat up when my dad got close to her.
My parents stayed with Anders while Ella, Jason and I went to the vet hospital with Nala. She had another seizure while we were there and they reassured us we were doing the right thing. She was peacefully put to sleep and we took her home with us to bury her next to our garden. We let Ella choose where to place her. Ella decided she wanted Nala wrapped in the red blanket Nala loved to lounge on in the house and laid to rest next to the garden where she would be with the kids. Nala did love to hang out with us and the kids and she usually found a nice shady spot over by the garden area. I think Ella made the right choice. Nala can now rest in peace.
I feel like there’s a hole in my heart. It aches so badly. I know she’s resting peacefully now but I miss her.

Nalees, you were a very special dog to us and we will miss you!

Love from us all.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

My husband and I have a 14 yr old golden named Bandit. He's in failing health; can't see, can't hear, can barely get up with the arthritis in his hips. His day is coming soon, I'm afraid. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry. We had to put our dog down in October after 16 years....

Heather Melzer said...

Annie, I'm so sorry. I hope you all are doing ok.

Anonymous said...

Lesli and all~
I am sooo sad for all of you! It sounds like you did the right thing for Nala and gave her a beautiful resting place! See you tomorrow :) Laura

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are with you and your family. My family has had this experience twice in the past 4 years. We have since adopted 2 more dogs and gave them a wonderful home. It doesn't make the hurt go away, but it sure fills your heart in another way. Take a peek at my blog to see our doggies. The second one has been here for only two weeks!

Feel better soon,
Lisa
www.lstonedesigns.blogspot.com

The Litter Box House said...

I am so so sorry. It's so hard to make that decision. I just had to deal with that decision with our 10 year old cat in January. I still miss her terribly...

Andrea

Knitterella said...

I'm so, so very sorry. It is such a hard thing to lose a pet. I lost my Marley in a very similar way last August and I miss him so.

What a beautiful dog Nala was and I know you all will miss her so, but how wonderful for Nala to have such a special family to be a part of and love.

I hope Nala meets Marley in doggie heaven - I think they'd be good friends.

((hugs))

Anonymous said...

Lesli, Jason, Ella & Anders: You are constantly in our thoughts as you grieve the loss of Nala. Little did we know that Memorial weekend would be her last trip to Sioux Falls. Jenny is going to miss her play pal. Nala was lucky to have been a part of your fun & loving family. Love you all-- Mom & dad.

Sue said...

Oh I feel so much for your family. It is so hard to lose a beloved member of the family. I am sure she will love it in the garden. We have a few pets buried in our garden over the years and we always place a little stone with their names on them to remember them by.

Denise said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Nala. It's so hard saying goodbye to our beloved pets. Watching them suffer is even harder, so you know you did the right thing. She was a beautiful looking dog.
xxxx