Life before 2008 24 Jan 2007 06:25 pm
A Boy and His Dog.
This is not a very good picture of Red Fox, the ratty little dog that was here when we moved and who worked his way right into our hearts. We eventually learned he was the very best of dogs….knew to stick close to his Boy, loved to cuddle, kept a watchful eye on the family alerting us well anytime anything was amiss or if there were strangers about.
If this is reading like a doggie ulogy, it’s because it is one.
Tonight on our way to church, of our street and onto the highway, Red Fox was hit by a car. The kids saw it happen and they screamed for me to stop the van. I turned around, seeing the car that hit him speed away without stopping and ran to the dog’s side. He was in total shock but alive. I knew he had internal injuries because blood was dripping from his nose. Andrew, sobbing, got a blanket and we wrapped him up and headed to town, praying the vet would be open.
Halfway there he started aspirating on foamy blood. I told Andrew that Red Fox was likely going to die in a few minutes. The vet wasn’t there; just his nurse and she at first said there was nothing she could do. But maybe my tears moved her…she followed me back to the van. One look and she knew he wasn’t going to make it but she offered to bring him inside. I think she knew the kids needed to see someone try something, anything.
After a few minutes she asked me if I wanted her to give him a shot and I readily thanked her and told her yes. I didn’t want our sweet dog to be hurting and while he couldn’t move his body, I could tell by his eyes that he was still with us and very likely feeling something awful. Andrew asked her to please go ahead and do it so he wouldn’t hurt anymore. In a few minutes it was over.
We went and got Dad at work and brought everyone home. There have been many, many tears around here tonight. Andrew and Dad dug the grave and tomorrow we’ll get the things needed to make him a little stone. It might seem like a lot to go through for a little dog that we weren’t sure we wanted around a few months ago; funny how animals can make you love them so much. He died trying to run alongside us, like he always did, his favorite game albeit a very dangerous one. We’ll miss him very much.
on 24 Jan 2007 at 6:35 pm 1.Cathy said …
sorry to hear about red fox. He looked like he was a cutie (and the ones who adopt you are always the best kind).
on 24 Jan 2007 at 6:53 pm 2.Queenofthehill said …
Okay, now you’ve made me cry. I know exactly how this feels for your children. I watched our little chihuahua get run over when I was a child and discovered my dad’s beloved beagle in the road once. But like you did, we buried all our pets with great pomp and circumstance and the fact that my parents were willing to do that — even praying over the little graves for us — has never been forgotten either. Even in adulthood, my sister and I sadly traipse home to Six Mile and my dad digs a hole for us so we can bury our own children’s pets there at the barn, in the company of many a cherished best friend.
I just ache for you all.
on 24 Jan 2007 at 7:20 pm 3.SmallWorld said …
So, so sorry…
on 24 Jan 2007 at 9:00 pm 4.Bannergranny said …
Oh my dear little “chickens”, how I ache for all of you. It is so hard to loose a pet, and Papa and I have been through it many times….it never gets easy. But you can be comforted in knowing you gave him the best love and the best home and family he ever could have had…..and I know he was grateful. We wish we could take away the pain, but only time can dull that. You will always remember him with sweet and some funny memories.
on 25 Jan 2007 at 12:44 am 5.Sarah K. said …
I am so sorry.
on 25 Jan 2007 at 8:45 am 6.Kyra said …
Words so often fail at this time when all you want to do is send big smooshy hugs and a mug of hot cocoa and tears.
We will cry with you. We know the loss of a pet….and the space they leave behind.
Kyra
on 25 Jan 2007 at 10:44 am 7.Beth said …
Oh, Tia, I’m so sorry. You know this happened to us last year with Clark seeing Zorro being hit (and being responsible for his being out). It really is a devastating thing. I wish I could say it would get better, but it will take lots of time. Is another dog a possibility? I know we got Zeus within the week, and I do think it helped to transfer some of that grief into the happiness of a puppy. Won’t replace Red Fox, though. ((( I’m sorry)))
on 25 Jan 2007 at 12:01 pm 8.gigi said …
How well I know how it is to lose a pet.I remember the nite our little neighbor boy came to my door and told me that my “kissa” had been hit by a car out on the highway.That news came on top of a very sad day otherwise-your mom knows.Well, “Kissa” was taken to the vet and treated and seemed to be recovering but she never seemed quite right after that and I was uneasy about the kids in the neighborhood who loved her so I decided to have her put to sleep-your dad took care of that.She was truly MY dog and so protective of me.I have many happy memories of her.
And then there was “Yogi Mittens” the big grey,long haired cat who had all those extra toes,thus the name “mittens” Ask your mom about him.I just feel so sorry for the kids.I am sure “Red Fox” was a real and devoted friend.I love you all
on 25 Jan 2007 at 6:46 pm 9.Cathy in Jax said …
In 1982 I rescued a puppy that had been hit by a car on Heckscher Drive. I took him to our vet and one of his front legs was broken. We splinted it, but it never healed and we ended up having the leg amputated. We named him Scooter because when he had the splint on he scooted to the front door to go out, he would scoot down the steps into the dirt and come in with dirt in his nose from scooting. That dog could run faster with three legs than any dog I’ve ever seen. And boy did he love to run. A couple of years later, he ran out the front door right into the street and was hit by a car. Boy did I cry. It still makes me sad to think about. My thoughts are with you, especially Andrew.
on 25 Jan 2007 at 6:52 pm 10.Carrie said …
I’m so sorry, Tia. I know it’s so hard for the kids. Hugs to you and all your little chickens.
Carrie
on 25 Jan 2007 at 7:52 pm 11.Susan said …
Tia, I am so sorry! We have had many burials for our pets and it’s very appropriate. I do think it helps everyone.
Many hugs to you and yours!
Susan
on 26 Jan 2007 at 8:17 am 12.Tia said …
Thanks so much for the kind words everyone. The kids are doing some better and we had an easier night last night. Still bad dreams but they stayed in their beds.
on 27 Apr 2008 at 3:17 pm 13.kati Perone said …
oh my god. my dog looks EXACTLY like that dog! everyone is always like “you have a fox as a pet?!”
lol,
some dude found him, and decided to keep him, but the dude abused him and so i decided to take him, the guy said it was cool cause he was going to EAT HIM IN THE PHILAPINES!!!!!! holy shit, right?
so yeah i have him now, his name is stitch. i love him but hes so stupid, i think he has brain damage from being kicked in the face so many times.
well, thought i would share my storie… lol