[Dailydrool] Homer ATB 3/31/2010

[Ruth Mayberry]

Dear Melissa & Alex,
I'm so very sorry to hear...it's such a heartbreaking story, I'm so glad though
that you got to spend those last moments with him----he knew... and that's the best
way to say goodbye. Both wanting it not to happen, but getting to spend it together--
there are those all around us that don't get any love, much less the tender moments
when that time comes---tragic....heart-wrenching....so horribly painful. 

Then...there is RESCUE.
Thanks to the rescues for ALL that you do...it IS so worth it. Do not become bitter
and hateful....then you become like those who are doing the things you so hate.
WE love you...we can't ever thank you enough.

I send my condolences to you and Alex, hold each other tight, hold your babies tight--
(they need consoling too)

Cyber hugs and tears for your departed loved one,
ruth huckle
ranger audrey (atb--always loved)
& daisy bug

 Huckleberry's page:  http://www.dogster.com/dogs/675146



----- Original Message ----
From: Melissa Jokela <mjokela at camulus.org>
To: dailydrool at dailydrool.org
Sent: Thu, April 1, 2010 2:34:36 AM
Subject: [Dailydrool] Homer ATB 3/31/2010

i was hoping that i wouldn't have to write this for a long long time but yesterday we had to let homer go to the bridge.  currently alex and i feel a huge hole in our hearts and home without him here.  it has been much much harder than either of us imagined it would be!  our house is way too quiet without him here and we miss him terribly.

homer came into our lives at a very difficult time, as he was brought into the family to keep me company while i was ill and going through tests to find out what was wrong.  homer kept me going and was the reason that i kept pushed through and did finally find a diagnosis.  he became a huge part of our lives.  he went everywhere with us and loved to travel.  one of his favorite places was at the cabin where he could swim and go boating.  he was the reason we got involved in basset rescue and met all of the great friends that we have.

about two to three years ago homer began to have episodes where he would just lash out and whoever or whatever was closest got it.  back then it was only coming maybe once every month or two but since last friday they were coming multiple times a day.  it was getting to the point that it was dangerous to us and the other dogs to have him around...so we had to make our decision.  i know that this is what homer wanted us to do but it is still so hard!  it was thought that there was something going on with his brain and everything that we tried over the years didn't really seem to help.

yesterday morning rudy wanted to go out at 4:10am so i decided that i would let him out and see how homer was doing.  homer knew something was going on with him and for the past few months decided to separate himself from everyone and that is how he wanted to spend his last night.  he curled himself into the back of his room on his bed early in the night and just wanted to stay there.  at 4:10 he also decided to come out and i took that opportunity to bring him upstairs for some time alone with him.  he was like old homer and just laid there next to me licking away my tears.  he ended up sleeping there until 6:30.



run free at the bridge homer j skillet!  we will always love you and will never forget you!

melissa & alex
sarge, gerdie, foster rudy and homer ATB