Losing your best friend comes in all shapes and sizes. For me, it was my beautiful spotted creature whose soul I named Sprinkles. I first met Sprinkles on an Amish farm as a Sprightly little puppy. She was to be euthanized because she was deaf if nobody wanted her. I instinctively knew in my heart that she was the dog I had always wanted since I was 14, listening to Sublime and them singing about their Dalmatian. It was love at first sight as she ran to my arms and I took her home. Sprinkles inspired me to become more involved in the dog world. Although I was already a dog groomer I wasn?t as devoted to it as I am now. We went everywhere together, from car rides to camping adventures. She always had my back.
When she turned around 4, I started noticing a change in her. She didn?t run or Jump or even have the energy she had as a puppy. It was strange because she was still so young. Upon further testing it was discovered she had a rare auto immune disorder. As it progressed, she had to be on steroids to help suppress her disorder. She made it past her 6th birthday this year. By this time, I knew in my heart that she was tired and only holding on for me. I knew I only had days left with her.
On June 16th at 1pm my beloved spotted creature passed in my arms as the vet helped her cross to a Better place. I have some peace knowing that I was there for her and was the last person she looked into the eyes. It was the worst day of my life and really hasn?t gotten any easier. All I can think about is the time I could have spent with her when I was tired or not feeling up to Playing with her.
I now have a beautiful poodle who is 6 months old who thankfully got to meet my beloved Sprinkles. In short, this is my advice to anyone with a loved companion healthy or sick. Love them with all that you have, take them on that extra walk, let them up on your bed even if they?re shedding fur like crazy and you have to wash your sheets afterwards. They are wild at heart and are sensitive to human Emotions. Don?t hold that chewed shoe or the time they peed on your carpet against them. You will miss even those things once they are gone. Understand that dogs make you a better person and teach you how to live a simple life. Everyone?s life is different, but the love that they give is universal and never ending. They really do leave paw prints on your heart.
Thank you to Kenny for sharing this experience with us. Anyone that has had a dog, or a cat knows that the only thing wrong with them is that they don?t live forever. Dogs specifically provide so much comfort and companionship to us as humans. They are the reason we love our industry so much. They are the heart of everything we do at Ryan?s Pet Supplies. There's no easy way to deal with the loss of the pet, just know that your community is here to support you.
Follow Kenny on Instagram here.
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