Bubba, our pug, was healthy until he was about 8 when he had extensive surgery for bladder stones. A year later he underwent surgery to remove 23 teeth (no one can get near a pug’s mouth…). In March, 2005, he began coughing. Our vet diagnosed a tumor in his chest and the anticipatory grief set in. Everything we did, with our other pugs, with our travel, with our daily lives, revolved around Bubba, his medication, his meals and his time outside. By Christmas, 2005, it was obvious that his life was nearly over but we could not let him go. We began a death watch, hoping each day that he would just go to sleep with his little friends and wake up in dog heaven. But, we weren’t that lucky because he just suffered until I called the vet and asked her to come to the house. I took the day off work on December 13th, took Bubba’s picture with his buddies gave him a new bone (that he wanted but couldn’t eat) and waited for the vet. He was so tired. The fireplace was set for him and he passed away in my arms and I have never cried that hard for an animal. Today I cry as if it were yesterday and it is good to know that you have experienced the same type of grief. In fact, I asked a psychiatrist why I didn’t cry this hard for my father when he died and he simply stated, “Dogs don’t bring baggage to the relationship.” Isn’t that the truth? God Bless You, Mark Levin. Thank you for your spirit. I wish I had pictures of Bubba but I am at work and need to stop crying!

Barbara from Montana