I never expected my dog to die before I left for
college, and especially not because we were forced to put him down. After
Animal Control made their decision, we didn't have much longer with him, so we
chose to make the most of it. We would take Calvin down to the lake, to fetch
balls in the water and get as dirty as doggy possible. This was a golden
retriever that loved every second of life, and continued to. It was awful
knowing that soon enough I wouldn't have him to greet me at the door when I got
home from school, to sit outside of my bedroom door at night, or be the loving
family member that he was.
It all happened on a hot summer day in August. My
family and I were outside, along with Calvin, who was on his leash. I had been
playing basketball with my neighborhood friends, when the mailman walked across
the driveway. Calvin was one of the most protective dogs I had ever known and
he would have done anything to defend my family from harm. The mailman had
gotten just a little too close when I heard the growl, the bark, and then the
yelp. My mom quickly brought Calvin away and into the house, but the damage had
been done.
The mailman did not receive a severe bite, but it did rip his pants
and puncture the skin. Blood dripped down his leg. The mailman and my mom
talked about it for quite sometime, but it ended the same way it would have
started.
"You don't have to tell anyone...." My
mom whispered.
"I'm sorry Karen, but I do. I could lose my
job if things escalated and someone found out," the mailman replied,
"it's just too much of a risk."
Our carrier was required by the law to report any
on duty injuries, in case of future problems.
Soon after, Animal Control came to our house, to
review the facts, meet Calvin and just explain the situation. We were told that
soon enough, a person would decide if Calvin was a threat, or not. We were told
to collect references, pleas and letters from those who loved and knew Calvin
well. Work was started immediately. Calvin received some 30 references
describing how much of a great dog he was. But all the work was done in vain.
The ruling was soon received in the mail. Calvin would either be forced to be
put down, or option 2.
Option 2 involved mail no longer being delivered to
our house, Calvin being required to wear a muzzle at all times outside, and
whenever people were at our house, it was required he be in a cage. He would
also be required to wear a leash at all times outside. This took away some of
the only things he really loved. Swimming would no longer be an option. Playing
with other dogs off the leash would also be stripped from him. Romping around,
wrestling and visiting with people was taken away. And the there was the added
shamed of being require to wear a muzzle at almost all times.
We chose to put him down.
The night before Calvin’s euthanization, we
slept with him on the porch. All of my family. We cried, reminisced and just
talked about everything and anything that related to him. I remember saying to
him, whispering in his ear after everyone had fallen asleep.
"Calvin, you are a great dog, don't let anyone tell you
differently. You'll be much happier up in doggy heaven, because you'll be able
to do everything that you love all the time. Sid, our old dog, will meet you up
there and show you the ropes. You're gonna love it up there and don't worry
about us down here. We're going to miss you lots, but this is the best thing
for you."
This dog was one of the closest family members I had, and to lose him
was terribly hard. Calvin had been there for most of the important things in my
life and I would never forget him.
Now, 3 years after the event, I still think about him, because to forget
about him, would mean to lose him. It’s important to remember those whom you
have lost, so that their memory does not fade away either. Calvin may have been
“just a dog” to some people, but to me, he was a brother.
I love you Calvin.
