It is the end of an era. Last night at 11:30pm my bestest pal, my faithful companion, my guardian, my confidante, my dog, Little Jimbalina died. Jimmy, as she was commonly known as, was 13 1/2 years old. She has been a faithful companion to me on these many, many miles of road that we have travelled together. Passing is never easy and it is never painless but her passing was as merciful as could have been.
As many of you know, Jimmy has been completely blind for a number of years. Three times a day Jimmy and I would walk the same route around the neighbourhood. She trusted me to let her know where the curbs and other obstacles were. Jimmy and I would amble around the neighbourhood, visiting with all our neighbours as we walked. There really was little exercise in our walks, it was more about just getting to the neighbours lawn to leave a stinking track of heat. Of course I always picked up after her.
Yesterday while on our afternoon constitutional she was walking particularly slowly. I knew in my heart that this was probably one of the last walks we would have together. Instead of being impatient and pulling at her lead as I have done on the past, I enjoyed every moment of our time on the walk. When Jimmy and I stopped to chat with our neighbour Brian I commented on the fact that Jim was walking unusually slowly. He replied, “When you are old you will understand.” He said this in kindness.
At about 11:30pm Jimmy breathed her last breath. I was there holding her, stroking her fuzzy little neck when she passed. In her last moments she leaned back and let her body relax into my arms and hands. She trusted me to take care of her in her final moments.
Thank you to the extraordinary kindness that the night staff at the Coquitlam Central Animal Emergency Clinic showed me. They were kind and thoughtful in my time of grief.
I am having Jimmy cremated and having her ashes returned to me. At this point I am unsure of what I will do with them. When I am feeling a little more calm and collected I will make that decision. I have also had the good people at Central Animal Emergency Clinic create a paw print that I can have forever.
Thank you to Jimmy for spending these amazing times with me. My life is the richer for what you brought into it. I will always miss you and always love you. You are the best dog EVER.
Stacey, so sorry to hear that Jimmy is done with this world. Our furry friends seem so much a part of the fabric of our lives, it’s hard to imagine that they are separate beings with a separate timetable.
My condolences to you and your family.
Thinking of you and the family. Its so hard, when we know our pets will depart before us, and yet we can’t help but love them as if they will be here forever!
Dear Stacey:
I am very sorry to hear about Jimmy.
I know she played a very special part in your life, and you have have expressed your love and grief in your moving tribute to her.
I have never had the privilege of sharing my life with a dog, but I always understood and admired the close bond between my friends and their dogs.
You were very fortunate to have shared this love and can treasure and carry it with you through the rest of your life.