(#6365) My dog Billy

      Billy is a golden brown long haired Chihuahua. When my pug died early in January 2013 I was devastated. I knew Niky was sick and had been giving her twice daily diabetes shots for about a year. But when she could go on no longer I took her to the vet and together we put her down. It broke me doing that and I will never forget that raw emotion. Well not 5 days later my neighbor dragged my sorry ass down to the animal shelter here on Bradshaw road in Sacramento. I took one look at Billy and he filled my heart. He was 2 and a half years old then and now 13 and half years later Billy is 16. He has seen better days and is afflicted with physical problems like all of us older beings.
     But, and I say but, because he is still a happy little doggie. However, like with Niky, I know I am spending the last of his days with some dread. I am fortunate to have had him this long and I know he could very well keep going several more years. He has no obvious illness or terminal diagnosis. But like with Niky I am spending more time with him and making as much of his remaining days more at ease for him. This is the thing with our pets who are precious to those of us who get it. They help fill the loneliness in our lives with a unwavering loyalty and admiration that cannot be purchased.
     When the new dog or cat or whatever pet arrives the thought about how it will all end is not really considered. We just dive into the vast possibilities and enjoy the newness of our amazing relationships. But time has a way of making us come to the knowing of how things will or must end and it is the last thing we want to have happen. The mortality of those beings we want around us is constantly being challenged so despite when it occurs naturally we still feel the impending pain and loss. With Billy we are not there yet and hopefully I will get much more time with my little friend for life. With all the pets I have had and lost it has always been my absolute privilege to spend my life with them!