Human: Holiday
Canine: Princess
Location: San Angelo, Texas
Type: American Pit Bull Terrier
Our Story:
In 2002, my oldest daughter called me and asked if I would like to have a stray dog she had found. When she brought it to my house, the poor thing was eaten up with fleas, ticks, and worms. You could count all of her ribs she was so malnourished. Her ears were huge which made her more of a pitiful sight. I couldn’t say no.
Turned out she was only 4 months old and had been abused by some teens who had taken her “joy riding” in the back of a pick up and dumped her off in the middle of nowhere. Princess and I spent these last 7 years together and were absolutely inseparable. We slept, ate, and bathed together and she was the love of my life.
Long story short, as Princess aged, she became “temperamental.” Her joints ached, she snapped at my other dogs regularly, and she was “instrumental” in the passing of my 7 year old Pit Bull last year. She attacked my small female Pit on July 9th and I knew in my heart eventually, she would turn on me or my daughter. Don’t get me wrong, I love Pit Bulls, have raised them for years, and still have 2 who are very loving and trustworthy. I chose to put her to sleep the day after she had so viciously attacked my smaller dog as she had growled and snapped at my eye the next day.
It was a truly bittersweet experience. God had allowed me to enjoy her all these years and now it was his time to enjoy her. As the vet gave her the tranquilizers, I held her close and reminded her how much I loved her, realizing, this was the first time in over a year I was able to hold her this way. Before the last shot, he asked “are you sure?” With tears flooding my eyes, I looked in hers and nodded yes, knowing full well, after this second act of aggression, this character would never reverse and my baby would never be the same. She took her last breath into my mouth as i kissed her goodbye.
It’s so sad to let go of the one you love, but I take comfort knowing I was able to share the best years of my life with her and improve hers. The vet’s office sent me a poem that said: “When beloved pets die, they go to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other. There is only one thing missing.They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So each day, they run and play. Until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches, the ears come up, and their eyes start staring. And this one suddenly runs up from the group. You have been seen! And when you and your special friend meet, you take her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more in the eyes of your trusting pet. Then you cross the rainbow bridge together….Never again to be separated. I hope this will be printed and hopefully ease someone else’s heart.
