Thursday, May 21, 2009

the little one with the big heart

Matilda didn't make it. She died yesterday afternoon, shortly after a visit from us. We brought Murphy to see her, and her favorite blanket. We think her squeaks and groans she made were her telling us goodbye.

I had worried that the venom would damage a vital organ, like the kidneys, but in the end it was the blood that was destroyed and never fixed. After 7 transfusions (4 blood and 3 plasma) her heart simply gave out.

When we first adopted her, she was a timid stick from the streets. A jittery almost shy girl who would burrow and hide throughout the house. Over time, she become a snuggle companion, fetch player, and an ever more creative burrower. She slept in bed with us, and was ecstatic when we would return home, dancing on her hind legs and patting the large window pane in our side door with her little claws. She became happiness personified.

We keep saying how unfair this is, how the little one got a raw deal. But I think the rawest deal of all would have been her dying alone in the streets downtown, which would have happened had Harmony not rescued her. Emaciated, fearful, and un-loved to a vibrant loving, loud soul. It didn't last long enough, but at least she had that.

At least she had us, and for a little while we had her.

10 comments:

Box Office Bananas said...

I will miss that sweet soul but I'm glad I got the privilege of knowing her at her happiest.

professoreric said...

As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.
-Leonardo da Vinci

Her life you boys and Murph and Tuck was bountiful with well spent days.

Homer said...

I am very sorry guys, I am glad she had the chance to be with you guys.

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Oh...that's so sad. I'm truly sorry for your loss. And crying at work...

Trackella said...

Bless her sweet little heart. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Bart said...

Awww, sorry to hear that. Poor little thing. :(

Chris said...

:( I'm sorry. I have a snaggle tooth sweetheart of my own.

Anonymous said...

Aw, that sucks guy, sorry to hear it.

Chuck said...

Sorry for your loss and that I never had the chance to meet what must have been a wonderful dog.

susan sabo photography said...

*sigh* i am so sorry for your loss. my heart really goes out to you; i've been through this too many times in the past year. of course, nobody can really know how you feel; only how they felt when it happened to them. and it always feels like the worst pain you can imagine.

i wish you peace of mind and nothing but good memories.