Monday, July 15, 2013

Her Name Was Latte` And We Loved Her

For as long as she could remember, she knew her name was Latte`.  As time went on her family called her Te`Te`. She loved the sound of both, especially when the man would call her name.   She knew his name as well as her own.... Dad. Latte` loved the lady  mom and their boy she had been told was her brother.  Latte` always suspected that they were not really her family but they certainly loved her as much as one of their own.

She wondered what happened to her sister Glory, the one that looked just like her.  Latte` remembered that she fell asleep out in the snow covered yard one day and a nice big man carried her into the car. Glory never came back.  Latte` whimpered,  hoping she would come back..... She thought  maybe one day she would see Glory again.

The snow melted and summer came.  Latte` loved to play fetch with her tennis ball.  Secretly, she really liked to tease her mom when she stole her gardening gloves. Latte` never meant to make mom mad at her, just having fun she thought.  As the days moved along, Latte` noticed that she easily got tired and could not play fetch as much as she would have liked.  Her dad seemed to notice this too.  Latte` never realized it but there was something growing in her chest, pushing against her lungs and heart.

A couple of weeks ago after a visit to the Vet, things changed for Latte`.  Her family whispered things and she could see sadness in their faces.  She did not understand what was happening, although she did know that it was becoming harder to breath.  Her meals changed and she loved the taste of the chicken and steak that she was getting mixed with her other food.  Latte` had no idea what Velveeta cheese was, all she knew was that it was better than any treat she ever had.  However, she was getting wise that there was something hidden in that cheese, maybe a bitter pill or two.  To Latte`,  the cheese was to good to worry about what might be inside.

Days went by and Latte` felt weaker and weaker.  She worried about her family,  not throwing the tennis ball for her, she thought it was good exercise for them to repeatedly pick the ball up and throw it for her.

Yesterday her brother hugged her and said good-bye and got in the car with dad, she wondered if she would see the boy again.... she loved him.  She remembered her sleeping sister Glory being put in a car, and she never came back.  Latte` started to worry about her boy.  Later her dad returned without her boy, but by now she was to weak to worry.  Instead, she just closed her eyes and dreamed of running in circles, faster and faster.....

Bloggers Note:  I don't have the heart or the energy to finish this piece, it is more therapy for me than it is a story for you.  The inevitable happened today.  Lets just say that my wife and I did what needed to be done. Latte` is pain free and running with Glory, Sienna and Bianca.  I also do not mean to imply that the loss of a pet is the same as the loss of a person.  Those of you that are pet people know that there is a special place reserved in our hearts for loving a pet.  It is a different love and therefore a different grief when a pet passes. Latte` was only 5 and the tumor was growing and severely restricting her lungs.  Many thanks to the Staff at the Watertown Animal Hospital especially  Dr. Rebecca Reynolds, who helped reassure us at this most difficult time.

I looked into Latte`s eyes and said I was sorry



10 comments:

A. Hicks said...

i know how you feel and i'm sorry for your loss.we have lost several of our own too.may god bless you in your sorrow.

Avengefulangel said...

What a beautiful tribute by a loving family. Thank you for sharing and God bless you all...

Unknown said...

I am so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you and your family Take care my friend

Ted Whitus said...

I am sorry for your loss. I lost a beautiful collie golden retriever mix to cancer 21 years ago. I still miss him. He was beautiful. Never a cross word came from him. He was always loving. May Gods comfort be with you during this time.

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. Latte was such a wonderful girl. Even though I didn't know her long, I knew she was special. Remember that she is at peace now. She will live on in your memories.

Unknown said...

The loss of a pet is so difficult. They become part of your family. I have had to make the tough decision a couple of times and it is heartbreaking for all involved. I am so sorry for your loss and may your memories help you and your family heal.

sharonwue said...

I have been very fortunate- I am in my 29th year of 'black dog', and the second one is going on 13. But Maggie passed at 17, and she is buried under the peonies, in here spot where she could keep an eye on everything and everyone. Now, Sally spends most of her time in the same place. Bless them all.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

I do believe that losing a pet is the same as losing a person. A pet is there for you every minute of every day unconditionally. Some give more respect and love without putting an effort forth to do so. All pet lovers have been in your shoes at least once in their lives and your heart wrenching story brought tears to my eyes. GOD bless Latte`. I am sure she is chasing that ball right now.

Unknown said...

We are so very sorry for your families loss of Latte :( I understand totally! God Bless her and you and your family too. I just had to put our Murphee down a few months ago after 16 years and it still pains me and we miss him very much but are also glad he is pain free now too. It's never easy and they are part of our families and stay in our heats forever <3