Hello Goodbye

Bessie wasn’t with us long—nine days, to be exact. She was my first hospice case with CAPE (Center for Animal Protection and Education), a wonderful rescue group that saves dogs and various creatures others have written off. She looked like a rat terrier with a little Sudanese famine victim mixed in. I thought Candi, the last foster was underweight, but she had nothing on this one. Skin and bones, that was Bessie.


Bessie was found wandering around the ubër-rich Pebble Beach neighborhood; very old, blind, deaf and starved. The theory is someone dumped her there, figuring a wealthy person would save her. Peace of Mind Dog Rescue took Bessie in and when they realized her time was limited, contacted CAPE because of their hospice program.

 

There isn’t a lot to say about Bessie, since we only knew her a little over a week. Bessie slept 90 percent of the time, but did seem to enjoy her short explorations around the back yard.

With people, hospice care means you stay with the patient until he or she dies. But with animals, it is up to us to decide when they die. Did we wait too long? Or, did we pull the plug too soon because we, not they, were uncomfortable? In Bessie’s case, I knew without a doubt she was ready. Bessie rested in my arms while Dr. Tackabury sedated her, then gave her the injection. It was a peaceful transition. We brought Bessie home and buried her under the wisteria next to Tex and Lacy.

I like to believe sweet Bessie is bounding around doggy heaven now, once again young and full of life. If I had it my way, no dog would ever die alone. But at least Bessie didn’t.