<div dir="ltr">To all of you fellow Basset lovers:<div><br></div><div>I've read so much lately of those of you who have lost a Basset. I too know the feeling of loss and loneliness. We lost Bosun, our first Basset in May of 2002 and I still miss him today, more than a decade later. After his passing, I wrote an article which I would like to share with all of you. You are welcome to pass this around, all I ask is that it be forwarded in its entirety. If you would like it in .pdf format, email me and I'll send you a copy. <a href="mailto:kaneohe.dave@gmail.com">kaneohe.dave@gmail.com</a> - Dave Wethington, Kaneohe, HI</div><div><div class="" title="Page 1"><div class=""><div class=""><p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">-----------------------------------------</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">Bosun’s Last Gift – May 2002
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">My wife and I have been the proud parents of a beautiful red and white basset named
Bosun, which we got from a local breeder 14 years ago. Since that time he has been our
constant companion, only child and source of love and affection.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">For the last two years, his age has been catching up with him. His vision was almost
gone and in spite of all the chiropractic, acupuncture, physical and hydro therapy and
medications, his arthritis was constantly getting worse.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">Because of that, we have made extra efforts to make him as comfortable and pampered as
possible. There were days when he couldn't step over the front door threshold - he was
just too unsteady, so we picked him up and carried him outside. There were days when
he couldn't make it outside and he wet on the floor. Since he was housebroken at a very
early age, he knew he shouldn't do that but he was old and just couldn't help it. We have
tile floors so it was no big deal. A little newspaper, a spray bottle and it was gone.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">We've known for the last couple of months that his time was growing very short. Up
until that time, he could walk - slowly, but he could walk. A couple of months ago he just
couldn't get his back legs to hold him up. We tried medications - a waste of money. We
took him to our chiropractor, who had always been able to put him right in the past - but
this time there was nothing out of place, he just couldn't walk. We took him to my friend
the physical therapist. After several sessions - nothing. I tried hydrotherapy - I bought a
big tank and filled it with water. I put Bosun in the tank, hoping that the water would
help hold him up and he would work his back legs. After several sessions, still nothing.
Every time I tried to get him to stand, his back end would just collapse. For the last
couple of weeks we have even had to help him sit up so he could eat. My wife and I both
knew that very soon we had to make that dreaded trip to the vet.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">Finally this week I noticed that when I would carry him outside and lay him on the
concrete so he could go pee, he would pass very little urine. Obviously, the first signs of
renal failure.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">After a couple of days of terrible anguish, I made the vet appointment for Saturday.
Taking our boy to the vet was the hardest thing we have ever done. We both cried like
babies the entire time. It was all I could do to bring myself to pick him up and carry him
to the car.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">In a half hour or so, we're in the exam room, Bosun is laying quietly on the table with my
wife and I holding him and talking to him as the vet makes the injection. A few seconds
later the vet quietly tells me that his heart has stopped and it's all over. He leaves the
room to allow us some privacy.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">I'm not ashamed to say that I put my head on his neck and cried my heart out. Next to
my wife, I love this guy more than anything else on earth. After a moment or so, I
stepped back and I felt a gentle breeze. I looked around, thinking that somehow a fan had </span><span style="font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:12pt">been turned on. The room was still, all windows and doors closed. Just then, I felt
Bosun's spirit pass through me! It paused just for an instant inside me and then I felt him
continue on his way. For a moment, I was filled with total love and happiness. It was
Bosun! He was free! I could feel his young, happy basset spirit!</span></p></div></div></div><div class="" title="Page 2"><div class=""><div class="">
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">I told my wife "Bosun's spirit just passed through me!" She said it must have been his
way of saying thank you and so long for now.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">We are still grieving over the loss of our boy but I feel so privileged and grateful that I
was given this last gift.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">Now some people will laugh at the thought of a dog having a spirit. Some will laugh at
the idea of that spirit coming to me. I swear this is what I felt. I've had other family
members who have experienced this when a human friend or relative died, but this is the
first case I've heard of when a pet dies.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">Is there another life after this one? I'm convinced there is. Bosun left an old, worn out
body and is now young, happy and without pain.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">Go in peace, my dear sweet friend, we will be together again.
David Wethington/Joycelynn Chun </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT">-------------------------------</span></p>
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