The Saddest Tail

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Tony, beloved service dog extraordinaire. Those who follow my blog may recall reading about his adventures.

I thought I was doing the right thing by bringing him to live with me. Initially, his tail and then his neck required surgery. Over time, I wrapped more and more gauze around him, his neck, his face, his body, his paw. I kept checking on him and Friday I was startled to see stuffing coming out every which way. So much that no amount of bandages could keep him intact. So much stuffing and I couldn’t help but wonder who or what had bitten him to make him suffer. I wanted to save him, but even as I picked him up with much care, he was falling apart.

I had no choice but to consult his Health Care Directive, which said, “If patient is no longer enjoying quality of life, if you cannot resuscitate after twenty times or so, you may toss him.”

So I did. I put him in a large plastic garbage bag, and said the Mourner’s Kaddish. I have also been sitting shiva and remembering that when he came into my life fifty-three years ago, it was the start of a very meaningful friendship.

Long live Tony!

Beloved Tony (c) Emsch the Mensch

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