Hubby had always wanted a bassett hound called Frank. When she came here to live at ten months old we renamed her Frankie.
She is the other woman in my husband's life but I am not jealous. It doesn't even bother me that she is the first to greet him when he arrives home from work. They have a special bond and for that I am grateful.
When she was young and agile she would jump up into the recliner with him and rest both paws around his kneck. At night she would sleep between the two of us nestled in close. Now she sleeps quietly at the foot of the bed on a favorite comforter.
I am aware that the sands in the hour glass of her life are slipping by quickly. She is having difficulty walking and we have recently started carrying her up and down the stairs and outdoors. Her sight is mostly gone and also her hearing. Her teeth are soft and we feed her canned dog food, slices of bread and treats of cheese. Once she weighed almost 60 pounds but now she is forty at tops.
Even though winter has come to this dear sweet one she still wags her tail and pushes close to us for warmth. I am thankful for all the years we have had her. She has made us smile when we were sad or mad or not too glad.
She has taught us patience is a trait we all need. Food is more tasty when it comes from the refrigerator. Traveling to the neighbors to visit is a must. There is nothing better than a pillow to sleep on after a long day away. Taking time to sniff the daisies is important they won't bloom forever.
Good night and God Bless!
Oh dear, now I have a huge lump in my throat. Your dog sounds exactly like my own dog, Smokey, during her last year. We, too, counted every one of those last days as precious. I carried her everywhere, until she finally was too weak to even eat or drink. One day she was valiantly trying to pull herself across the kitchen floor just to be closer to me, and I knew it was time to free her soul and let her run again. The vet said she was hurting, and we needed to ease her pain. II stayed with her at the very end, looking right into her eyes and thanking her for her companionship and loyalty to us, and wishing her peace. Tomorrow we're expecting the first snowfall, which always reminds me of her, and how she loved to eat the snow and come inside with her black nose covered in white. I'm glad you have your wonderful dog, and that you appreciate her presence in your lives. Enjoy her!
ReplyDeleteLady Frankie is a sweetie! She has done very well to be 105 for a basset hound. My sister had a basset many years ago, Flash was his name. He only lived to be 9 yrs old. I feel for anyone when they see a beloved pet in its last years. I have a poodle and in the last year, I have seen many changes in her. She is 14. I have thought the same thoughts about my dog too, how she enjoys sitting on the porch in the evenings with me and hubby. I look at her and see the look and expressions on her face overlooking the yard and its as if she is taking it all in because she knows she won't be hear much longer. Enjoy Lady Frankie...may she have many more good years! Roxie
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming post.
ReplyDeleteFrankie is blessed to be with you, as you are to be with her.
Love and hugs to you all xxoo
She is beautiful, Debbie. It always breaks my heart to know that our fur babies will not share our lives for always. My oldest daughter is having to put her precious Harley to sleep this week. He is just 9 years old but in much pain. She thinks he has cancer and after being told there is nothing that can be done has had to make a hard decision. It breaks my heart. We bought Harley for her. He was born on the same day she and her husband married 9 years ago. We have 4 dogs ourselves and one of them is getting up there too.
ReplyDeleteAwwww...the comments and the post are so sweet....Your dog is beautiful. I pray she will be with you a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, My heart knows just what you are feeling.. Treasure each day... as I did with Angie.. hugs BJ
ReplyDeleteOh how sweet. I adore dogs. They are so humble and kind.
ReplyDeleteThis touched my heart so much....my kitty Ethyl's time is also slipping away. I wish all of Gods little critters could be loved and cared for like your sweet Frankie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and touching post...wish all the best for Frankie . xox
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a little treasure. Enjoy her!!!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Frankie has had a wonderful life! She has given you so many days of joy and unconditional love, it is wonderful that you are giving her that now in her old age. I have a senior cat that requires a lot of extra care, but I gladly help her up and down the stairs etc., because she has given me so much love over the years. Bless you Debbie, for being such a good pet parent!
ReplyDeleteI bawled my eyes out reading your post, followed by Katherine's story. Out dog in 12 and we know that time is marching on as life is getting to be a struggle for her. She is still so game, but the walks are shorter, the stairs, unmanageable and digestion more sensitive. Hearing is almost all gone but she still is so happy to see us and follows us around. Seeing this all on your blog makes me determined to treasure her days more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie for being so sharing.
awwww.....treasure every moment you have with your fur baby...we had a bichon frise for 17 1/2 years...and we still miss him....when it came towards the end of his life, i really struggled with "who the heck am i, to decide when to put him down"...my wise friend pointed out to me that it was me who had enabled him to live this long in the first place.....they live their lives just for us and in the end their quality of life declines so far that we struggle with the difficult decisions on what to do....trust me, when the time comes, you will know.
ReplyDeletelove her deeply now.
erin
xxoo
Debbie - Frankie is just adorable. I suppose think of it all as having had the good fortune to even have meet Frankie and the wonderful soul she is. Even if her time is short compared to the time we walk on this earth, the important thing is you all found each other in the end. You all had time to bond and love. Better that than not at all maybe. Take care and give Frankie a big hug from me.xx
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie, please hug Frankie for me. SHe's precious. I'm so glad she had you and your hubby in her life. She will be up there with my Daisy. They'll be waiting for us. love to you,Diana
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard isn't when you know there's not that much time left - our last few months with our last dog felt that way and then the time finally came and it's heartbreaking - treasure every moment, dogs are wonderful, loyal souls and Frankie is lucky to have had such loving owners. I have a beautiful poem which was given to me which just says it all when the time comes, bless you
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post & sentiments on your sweet Frankie ♥
ReplyDeleteOur dogs are such a blessing.
Debbie, I know how it feels, Our redbone coonhound was 86 years old, blind, deaf and falling over. He had a good long life with us,but we realized he was NOT having a good life any more. We gave him a last meal, kissed him goodbye and had him put to rest. It was sad, so sad, but for the best.
ReplyDeleteDebbie I have had several dogs and they all have a special place in my heart and always will. My Teddy now 7 is my best friend. He knows me well and takes good care of me. Your Frankie is so special and she is so well loved. I think you are a lot like me.There is always a place in my heart for a dog. They are special.
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