At least those were my thoughts one morning a week or so ago. That was the day I decided it was in the best interests of one of my dogs to have his final appointment with our vet. I cried my heart out – curiously more so before the event than after. His passing was gentle, dignified and caring. Afterwards I realised how lucky I was to be able to exercise that power over his death. The decision was in no way easy, yet I am glad I could relieve the suffering that came with old age and the failure of his little body.

I’m a firm ‘hoper’ in the existence of Rainbow Bridge and true or not, real or not, it certainly gives me comfort to think of his bold little spirit (and those of previous much loved pets) existing in some perfect plane.

We adopted Snoopy when he was seven and rescued from the green needle by the wonderful Cavalier Rescue Society (http://www.cavalierrescue.com.au/). Neglect had left him with the loss of most of his sight and very nearly all of his hearing, but he never let that slow him down. Off lead walks on the beach often had him following our scent – usually the wrong way! Our other Cavvy would race after him, chest butt him as if to say ‘this way you old poop!’ and then she would lead him back to us. 🙂 He endured twice-daily applications of eye cleaning followed by ointment with gentleman-like grace while being perched on top of the washing machine to make it easy on my back.

So thanks, Snoopy for coming to stay for a while, it was great having you here and thank you for teaching me the true meaning of bravery and persistence.

Snoop’ now resides in a beautiful black urn on a bench above my work-desk.