The Best Love Story I Know

Sometimes life takes you down a path you're not ready to travel down and this has been the case for Copper and me this week. My two special guys have been in my life for almost seven and six and a half years now. Robert and I met Bones in mid-August 2002, and on August 31, 2002, signed the adoption papers for a 45 pound stick dog with a big fuzzy head named Max. Just shy of six months later we decided Bones (who got a new name to go with his personality and figure) got a brother named Copper, who Bones paw-picked himself.

The three of us have been together ever since, with the exception of my time in South America. Their doggie dad, Robert, took care of them while I was away and even before I left, Robert and I somehow managed to share joint custody of our two favorite four-legged boys.

I will never forget meeting Bones and as they say in the movies, it was love at first sight. I knew he was the dog for us. Robert wasn't so sure and really liked a dog named Red. So after a few days of talking about which dog we liked best (we had met eight or nine that day), I conceded and agreed to call Susan at Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue and tell her we wanted Red.

I'll have to be honest. I did think about lying and saying I asked for him but thought that somewhere along the way my little lie would catch up with me so I did the only thing I knew to do, I prayed about it that night. I prayed that God would find Red a great home so that we could have Bones. I knew that he was the one for us. I don't know how but I just knew.

The next morning I called Susan and to her surprise, after she sheepishly explained that a volunteer wanted Red and that because she volunteered she was going to get dibs, I said, "Oh! That's great because I want Max! I prayed last night because I wanted Max and I'm so glad for Red but we want Max!" And so it was. The dog that Robert thought was going to continually jump up on people, became our dog, Bones. By the way, Bones never did jump up on anyone, of course unless they asked him to.

For people who have children or those who don't have dogs, I don't know that they will ever understand the way I feel about my pups. They are my life. They love me unconditionally and I love them back the same. Although I love my human friends, these guys have been my best friends for so many years they are closer to me than any people I know. They always know how to make me smile, they always know when to love on me because I'm sad or don't feel well, and they are always ready to provide hours and hours of entertainment with little to no pay.

This Thursday, as my friend Haley wrote it so eloquently, Bones died in my arms. I knew when I returned from South America that my dear friend had aged. I could see it in his walk and in his eyes. The three of us took a wonderful two week trip to Colorado which I will never forget where Haley snapped some of the most beautiful pictures of my guys. Pictures which allowed me to enjoy the last days with Bones, with us just being us, not worrying about taking pictures so I would remember how fuzzy his big head was or how beautiful his big brown eyes were.

Losing Bones has been the hardest thing for all of us, especially Copper. There really isn't anything sadder in life than seeing your puppy grieving the loss of his best friend. I know at some point things will get easier and that we won't find ourselves overwhelmed by sadness and we'll be able to think of the funny, fun times we all had. Those days seem so far away though as we deal with the grief of losing Bones.

He was such a beautiful, brave dog. I will never forget his terrible, nasty kisses. I will always miss having to tell him he's going to have to move so I can get out of the shower in the mornings. Picking up sticks won't be the same without him there to help. Tennis balls will go unchewed and will be left to gather dust. Sleeping in my full size bed sandwiched between two loving dogs is a thing of the past, as the dog who was always to my left is nowhere to be found. But the saddest thing is that one of the two greatest love stories in my life has come to an end. It was such a good story though.

Bones had to be put to sleep due to health complications of kidney disease, which is common in older dogs. Because he would want you to know, below are some of the symptoms of kidney disease/failure, which Robert and I overlooked because he was an old dog (Bones was probably between 11 and 12) and had had arthritis for a number of years. So please, if you notice these problems with your older dog, please take them to the vet to get him or her checked out. If caught early on (which most times doesn't happen) his or her diet can be changed which will lengthen the amount of time you get to spend with your best friend.

Early clinical signs of kidney failure in dogs:
Increased water consumption;
Increased urine production;

Weight loss;

Weakness or exercise intolerance;

Tendency to bleed or bruise easily.

Clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure in dogs:
Loss of appetite;
Depression;
Vomiting;
Diarrhea;
Very bad breath;
Ulcers in the mouth;

Dehydration (To test for this, gently pull the skin away from your dog's middle. If the skin does not immediately spring back, the dog may be dehydrated.);
Stiff-legged gait and arched back (a sign of painful kidneys);
Little or no urine production.