Pawcurious: With Veterinarian and Author Dr. V

Celebrating the truth that pets make people better.

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Please God, let me go with my face in a plate of chocolate chip ice cream

by

Friday things were getting bad,

Kekoa’s leg was aching.

So you know, it’s time to go,

But not without some bacon.

 

Saturday was super great,

All day long we ate and ate,

Venison, rabbit, gator too,

All day feasting through and through.

 

And when Sunday came around,

Gray and rainy, under cloud,

I sat down and then I cried,

Cause it was time to say goodbye.

 

When the doctor gave the shot,

My dear dog, she felt it not

Because she had – don’t get me wrong-

In her paws, a treat filled Kong.

 

As she slipped away to dream,

She was slurping down ice cream.

Chocolate chip with bacon too.

When I go, I want that too.

 

I am sad and I will cry.

No one wants their dog to die.

But this gift I had to give-

Before she died, she really lived.

 

 

Sweet Koa, in our family for three wonderful years, in our hearts forever.

Feb 10, 2013

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Oh, man. I’m so sorry. I’m so proud of you for having the strength to help her celebrate her last days — not everyone could do that without breaking down. She was a lucky dog to be a part of your family, and I know you are a lucky family to have counted her as one of your own. Let me know if you need to talk.

  3. Love love love you guys and Koa I am SURE left with that same smile you show in that last photo! Oh if we all could only leave this earth quickly, quietly and with chocolate chip ice cream and bacon! My heart goes out to you – I had to do the same thing in December.

  5. Dr V. This brings tears to my eyes this morning. I’ll be thinking of you, Brody and the rest of your sweet family. Let us know if we can do anything.

  9. Awwwww, such a sweet thing. She was a lucky doggie to have such a wonderful family. I’m so sorry. I know it’s very sad, but this post made me smile a little bit, too. So much love! Sending huge hugs your way.

  13. I’m so very sorry. My Relampago and I had a similar parting four and a half years ago. It’s so very hard.

  14. Dear Koa, I’m so sad you’re gone, but so so happy that you were loved so well, not just by the folks you lived with but by all of us who got to know you online. Ulitmately, the dog that couldn’t find a forever home ended up having more family than she could have imagined. Thanks for all the smiles, Irish eyes!

  15. I’m really sad to hear about Koa. I’ve been reading your blog for a while know and especially love all of your stories about your dogs. My heart aches for you.

  18. Thank you for sharing Koa’s food stories for the last few weeks. She was a lucky dog to have you. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

  19. I’m so sorry. We just had to help our 14.5 yr. old greyhound, Ellen, to the Rainbow Bridge this morning. I hope Koa met her on the other side of the Bridge. Hugs to you from Ohio

  22. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your stories about Kekoa were some of my favorites, especially the one you wrote last year about her adoption. She sounds like she was a sweet old girl and a good companion.

  23. i am crying now, i am so so sorry. i know it was the best thing for koa, but i cant even think of doing that. my oldest min. schn is 11.5 and she is fine, according to the vet, but she has lost the hair on her nose, and her hind legs, very little feathers, she has been tested for everything and the blood work comes back normal, waiting for the urine cultures. i just might make a visit to the nc state vet school for further testing if nothing comes back.
    again, my heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. thankfully koa had a wonderful life with you and your family. when i read abt this, i think what am i going to do when it comes time for my oldest child, whom i have had since she was 6 wks old. she has been thru so much w/ me and gave my late mother so many happy moments. i think i will be a basket case for a very long time.

  27. Oh, Dr. V, I am so very sorry for your loss. Kekoa was, no doubt, so grateful for those wonderful, amazing, loving three years that she wouldn’t have changed a thing – except to have found you sooner. But, we do the best with the time we have, and you gave her a wonderful three years. Hugs to you and the family in your time of grief. We all grieve with you.

  28. Oh… I’m so very sorry. She was blessed to have found you and lived a dream life in her final years. So sad… Sending a hug and some bacon skyward to beautiful Kekoa.

  29. I don’t know how you are able to compose such a loving post, possibly because all was done right on your part. Your beautiful Koa, licking her chops, bacon breath and maybe a chocoalte chip piece wedge in a tooth cavity for her to enjoy as a hidden treat.

    Much heart ache Dr.V. Thank you for sharing all these posts with us.

  31. I’m so sorry. Even when we know saying goodbye is for the best, it’s a terribly hard thing to do. Koa had a wonderful and loving three years with you. I’m sure she appreciates all you did for her and knows that she was cherished.

  32. So soon after the loss of my sweet Chainy Dog this one hurts to read. =( Sending love and hugs to you all. Our fur-babies leave deep paw prints in our souls.

  33. The BEST way to go: love, ice cream and bacon. We had to let our pup go recently, and her death was so peaceful (augmented with steak) — if only we could all go that way. Thank you for sharing Kekoa with us — she was always my favorite. Deep condolences to you and your family.

  34. Oh Dr V, those were three awesome years she had. Quiet blessings of peace to your whole family and for beautiful Koa.

  36. Oh my god you got me all teary and I just got to claaaaass, and they second-years are asking for donations to hospice, where my MIL passed away in June, and I think I’m having a sad today.

    I’m so sorry Dr V. I’m glad you guys got to have one last blast.

  37. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. I’m sure your 2-legged & 4-legged family members will miss Koa greatly. May the happy memories you all have help ease the sorrow.

  39. This is a wonderful tribute to a beautiful dog. She was clearly a very loved hound, and has undoubtedly left an indelible paw print on all the hearts in your family. Enjoy the memories 🙂

  40. That was so beautiful and poignant. I’m very sorry for your loss, may she always live big and bright in your memories of her:)

  41. I’m so very sorry for your loss! Kekoa was so lucky to have you! I have a very special place in my heart for big black dogs and those who love them.

  42. Hugs and kisses Koa, I will miss hearing about your food thieving ways. Tears and hugs for you Dr. V. I was so hoping you would have longer with her. Cancer sucks. Heaven gained a beautiful, sweet, black furry angel this weekend.

  46. So sorry about Koa. But she’s resting easy and you should be thankful to have been able to make the last 3 years of her life the best 3 years. And I’m sure those last few weeks were the best ever!

  49. Dear Dr. V – tears are streaming down my face. I am very sad for you and your loss, and so moved by your love for Koa and your courage to share it with us. Much love your way – the other Dr. V

  50. My heart hurts for you. I know that I will miss sweet Koa, and I never even met her in person. I am keeping you in my thoughts and sending huge hugs. I am sad that once again loss has entered your life, but I am so happy for Koa that she had you for three marvelous years. Thank you for sharing her with us. Much love to you.

  51. I’m so sorry to hear about Koa. She’s brought joy to so many more people than she’s ever met. She will be dearly missed and always remembered. I’m so glad that she found her way to your family to have such a happy last three years.

  54. I was totally taken by surprise by this post – I mean, I knew about Koa, but I didn’t expect it so soon. I’m so so sorry. For you, for your family, for me. The only one I’m not sorry for is Koa, who had a wonderful three years with you and yours and is now playing on the Rainbow Bridge.

  56. So very sorry for your loss Dr. V. Prayers , love and hugs to you and your family. Koa knew she was loved. You gave her the best life and she knew she mattered. You are the best. Will miss her adventures. You did the right thing . Damn that Kevin.

  57. Oh Dr. V….. Thank you for sharing with us. I know you have a very large ache in your heart. What an inspiration you are to us as far as looking out for the best interests of our sweet 4-legged kids. And what an amazing thing to do to make a bucket list! She lived a good life and lived it to the fullest til the end thanks to you. I look forward to meeting all our faithful companions at the Rainbow Bridge one day.

  58. So sorry for your loss. Even when you know the day is coming, it still seems to come too soon. From all your posts, I can tell she had a wonderful life with you. I hope the coming days are gentle on you and your family.

  59. I’m so sorry. Crying along with you. Lambchop will be there to meet her and show her the ropes – and all the good places to scrounge all the best food. Huge hugs xoxo

  62. The name Kekoa means The Brave One, or Soldier/Warrior in Hawaiian. Your girl seems to have, more than, lived up to her name. I hope you and your family find peace knowing you gave her peace. Much Aloha to you and yours in this difficult time.

  67. Oh, Jessica, our love and thoughts are with you. And your beautiful words brought back our day of letting Pandora go last summer in a rush of tears and continued healing. May your memories of Kekoa always be be full of joy and peace.

  70. I’m leaking tears for you and your beautiful Koa! I’m really sorry for your loss. Hugs, Meghan

  72. I’m so sorry for your loss!!! What a tasty and loving way to send her off. You are the best.

  74. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember when you were choosing Koa’s name..

    “We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached.
    Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way.
    We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.”
    –
    Irving Townsend

  75. Dr V,
    We are so sorry for your loss of your beautiful Koa. What a beautiful and moving tribute to what is undoubtedly an amazing dog! Our thoughts and well wishes are with you and your family during this difficult time.

  76. Dr. V, the love you had for Koa and the love Koa had for you and your family is just pouring out of this post and these pictures. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

    Thank you for sharing Koa and her story with your readers.

  79. I’m so sorry for your loss. I sit here at work with tears streaming down my face, looking back at beautiful Kekoa’s face. I have to tell you that I know her three years with you were the trifecta of love. I know that time with your family erased all the bad stuff and disappointments that happened to her along the way. She was a sweet and gentle soul and like all the very of best friends, she will be with you always. We, all of us who read your blog, were lucky you shared her with us. Thanks from my heart!

  80. What a beautiful tribute. The love you gave Koa and she you always brought smiles to my face. Today it is tears. What a wonderful “bucket list” for her. I had never thought of that and will in the future. Thank you, Koa, for the memories. My thoughts on your healing journey. Dogs, they sure shape our hearts.