Poem from Jill

For years Bella’s friend Sam has been in my life, I have walked him and I become so attached to him. Last week I had to say goodbye to Sam. A week away from his 16th birthday, his family decided it was the right thing to do to put him to sleep. His family, mainly out all day gave me the keys to the house and for many years I walked Sam, we had some lovely times together. Recently, he could only walk short distances and there were days he needed help getting on his feet. I would have got him up,  cared for him so that accidents in the house, did not happen, I would have cleaned and bathed him daily if need be, and I would have given pain medication and allowed god to take him when the time was right. Sam’s family spent his last day out of the house (busy) and I spent it on the floor cuddling Sam.  At 7pm Monday March 2nd, they walked Sam (the dog they claim could not walk) 500 yards to the vet. On the way we were stopped by a couple who thought he was so beautiful and the male (uncle) said yes, shame soon he will be no more: I walked with them, Sam was excited about being out with his family, he greeted all the dogs coming out the vet, wagged his tail, ate all of the biscuits: Sam was old, he had some pain and was incontinent. There were things that could have been done, but his family decided it was for the best to end his suffering. I watched a dog pulling away from the vet wanting to go home be dragged into the vet to be put to sleep because a man, a woman, the children, gave up believing there was any other way. This is my poem that I want to share with all of you who believe that a pet (old and having accidents in the house) is a member of your family and needs caring for just as an elderly relative would need caring for. http://www.thebellamossfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/sam-2-opt.jpg My heart is broken, thinking about your premature end I gave you my love and you know I was your friend You didn’t deserve to be put to sleep But your family could only see their future as bleak Accidents on the carpet: yes you were old, But, no matter how hard I tried, they wouldn’t be told A week away from your sixteenth birthday They could not see any other way Other than to say Euthanisation, is the kindest thing to do But who were the kidding this was not for you They left you to walk 500 yards to your death When there was so much life in you left You and I spent your last day together Enjoying the new warmth of the spring weather We sat in my garden and had some treats We cuddled and I could hear your heart beat I felt so low to see you Have to go Your family arrived home close to your time of death To say goodbye, and remark on how great a dog you had been But during the day they were nowhere to be seen Uncontrolled bladder and bowels and bad back legs Is why you were sent to your death Old age is no reason to be killed Were you suffering? Was it kind to end your life? Humans decide when and why a dog should die But is it based on fact or a convincing lie? You were not mine, if you were you would still be alive And nature not humans would decide Whether you should live or die Your family decided on your fate, and now it is too late But I was with you until your end And I will forever be your friend God Bless you Sam you nearly made 16 And your are the best friend there could have been __________________________________________________ I love you and always will and I know Bella will be with you now