Five Years

It's been more five years since I lost Max and Zak. Zak's last day was September 30, 2020. I was in the hospital (for gall bladder surgery) and unable to say goodbye to him. I will always regret this. Robin and Greg had to take him to the vet for euthanasia (I hate that word). My poor boy had stopped walking 7 weeks prior. I was carrying him out twice a day to do his business. I cooked lamb for his meals. He still had a good appetite. My guilt was eased a little bit by the fact that (before I went into the hospital) I had already made the decision (with the vet) that Zak's quality of life had gone and it was time. That terrible time. He was almost 16 years old.

My beautiful boys

Going at it

Cuddle buddies

Sniffing

Mornings on the bed

On the deck

Max's last day on this earth was the last day of 2019, December 31st. I don't think I ever cried as hard as the day I took him to the vet. He had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The medicine had stopped working. He was skin and bones. He got sick and stopped eating. I couldn't get him to eat anything. I would drain the tuna from the can and offer him the tuna juice. It used to be his favorite. He had stopped using the litter box and hygiene had become a problem. I couldn't spend as much time with him as I wanted to because I needed to be with my mom more. It was a heart wrenching decision, but it had to be made. Max was 17 when he took his last breath. I held him as they vet put him under. I am crying as I write this post. I miss both of them so much, to this day.  

Playing

Posing

Biting his nose

The chair

Both inside

I love the pets I have now:  Ty, Oliver, and Cash -- but I love the way Max and Ty were together and with me. Of course, as they got older, they interacted less with each other. They both lived very long lives, though their last years were difficult due to their advanced ages. I hope Max and Zak are romping around in heaven together like they did in this life. One day I'll see them again on the other side of the rainbow bridge. Until then, I love, miss them, and think about them often. Max and Zak.