IN MEMORIAM of Charmin July 7, 2009

The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree

It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

from http://www.petloss.com/poems/poems.htm

Today we all said our goodbyes to our trusty companion, Charmin the Wonder Dog. Although we're all very sad and now have a hole in our hearts, she let us know it was time and gave us the permission we needed to help her over that Rainbow Bridge. Our daughter posted a wonderful picture of Charmin while she could still stand up in the yard on her blog here, so go take a look. Mike and Matt dug a grave in our back yard that serves as her final resting place and next year will bloom beautifully with flowers to remind us of all the joy she brought to our lives.

My trusty companions

Here is where my little kitty brother hangs out when my cousins (or are they actually a niece and nephew?) come over. They are two rather large and rambunctious dogs and little JC is a tiny kitty (adult, but really small) who would just rather hang out on top of the kitchen cabinets than be chased by the dogs. Mama master was nice enough to put his food on top of the refrigerator so he could eat. That seemed to make him happy!

Below you can see how worried Katie was when I stole the washcloth from Daddy when he was trying to clean my face up after I ate. She's such a worry-wort!

Here's a close up of me with the washcloth. Mama wasn't too happy because it was a hand knitted gift from someone, so I promised not to destroy it. Yeah, like with the few teeth I have left I could REALLY do much damage!

Do you think my sibs are a little over concerned about me or something??? Here I was trying to eat and they were ALL hanging out around me! I mean who wants to eat with all those eyes staring at them anyway??? Daddy usually puts me in the bathroom with my human food and shuts the door, then the others can't get in, but this time I was trying to munch on some hard dog food. Daddy rushed me to the vet the other day because I wouldn't move or eat or anything. She told him to try baby food and let me eat WHATEVER I wanted! Hey, every gal's dream, huh? Eat anything anytime and everywhere!!! Since I'm losing weight there's no problem eating too much, but usually I only eat a couple of ounces at a time. Daddy found out that I love salmon so he's cooking that a lot now.

Today I actually walked across the kitchen floor, then veered sideways as usual and fell, kirplop! Later Daddy took me outside and came back in telling Mama how I pooped! He was so proud of me! Gee, doesn't take much to make those humans happy does it?