My buddy is gone and I'm so very sad.
We aren't sure how old he was, maybe 13 or 14.
Seven years ago we went to an adoption event so we could meet two pugs and decide who to bring home. My youngest son made the final decision and I am so thankful he chose the pug he did.
Our pug's hind legs weren't quite right from the day we brought him home from the rescue and things have progressed slowly over the seven years he has had hold of my heart. So calm, loving and determined, he never let his disability slow him down. He always wanted to be with his people.
Partially paralyzed, incontinent (I manually emptied his bladder for probably three years. It is not nearly as bad as it sounds), scarred eyes, mostly deaf and possessing only six teeth he was always an absolute sweetheart. Always trying and working so hard. At least now he can rest.
According to my oldest son, he possessed some sort of Jedi mind control. Rather than paw, bark or pester he simply sat and stared down the person he wanted attention from. He was usually successful and ended up being pet or on someone's lap.
Like most pugs he loved his food, sometimes barking like a seal while waiting for meals. As it became more difficult for him to navigate, my mother thought he was so clever, despite eyes scarred from pigmentary keratitis, to be able to discern between slick tile and linoleum and the more slip resistant carpet.
His front legs had become weaker over the last couple of weeks to the point where he would lose his balance, unable to right himself. He spent most of the day sleeping, though his stomach never failed to remind him of meal time. To the very end he was always bright and alert around food, especially the peanut butter chocolate ice cream we spoiled him with recently.
This morning his breathing was labored so the veterinarian came to our home for my boy's final vet visit.
My heart is breaking and I'm going to miss him so much. The house feels so empty without him. We've had to do this before but this time has been especially difficult. I don't even want to wash his dirty ice cream bowl or the the chocolate ice cream he smudged on the sweater I was wearing as I last held him in my arms. Even dumping his water bowl was an effort.
I made clay footprint impressions last weekend and watercolor footprints on paper today.
Our girl pug, his nap buddy, is sleeping soundly now. I hope she can make the adjustment to his absence better than I will.
A loving farewell to my 'big man', you were the best boy in the world.
(Picture 7 was commissioned by my son for my birthday/mother's day. It is based on picture 6)
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