04/13/2018
With heavy heart I share my own status update :(
To My Best Friends, Lil'May and Gunner,
For eleven years and nine months now you have been by my side. I've watched you grow from the moment I helped you take
your first breath. From the moment you were born, I knew there was something special about you, you may have been the 'runt' but you sure out shown your brothers and sisters.
You were named after my first best friend Maggie May, she was my first rock when my life went sideways and it was just me and your little humans. Was truly uncanny how you had so many of her traits. Yes, some would say it's just a Golden thing, but we both knew better. Like the time you'd started stealing shows when you were 4months old, you wouldn't chew them, but you'd hide them. As cute as it was, it was a pain in the butt when I was trying to go to work or the boy's off to school. It only took one time saying 'Lil'May, Maggie would never do that' and you never touched another shoe again.
You were always waiting when I'd come home from work, when the boy's would come home from sporting events or when they'd be gone for visits away. Each time was like the first time to you, your tail would wag so hard your hard body would shake with the excitement.
You and your fur sister Winnie, were spoiled rotten from your Pop Rose, when he'd come home for lunch he'd always walk across the road with a treat and to make sure you girl's got let out and had fresh water. Man oh man do you love you Pop!
At three, you met a little human who quickly became one of your biggest fans! Charlee was like a tidal wave of love every time she saw you. Her little arms would wrap around your neck so tight with the biggest of hugs, and you being the ever loving Lil'May would run to get those hugs. The two of you shared a very close bond.
Soon after, we got a big surprise when your brother Gunner moved home to be with us at the age of 4. What a ball of energy and excitement he brought with him. You two had always spent time together off and on since you were born, but now you guy's were completely inseparable!
Gunner my man, your gentleness and eager to please sure brought a new energy to our home. You loved being with your sister every day, and you absolutely loved being with your human brothers. You'd go out skateboarding and then come home and cuddle on the bed and watch a movie. What a spoiled pup you became.
I unfortunately didn't get to go through puppy hood with you buddy, but I sure have been able to watch you grow into a beautiful soul who stole my heart. Not just mine like your sister, you gained a Pop who claimed you as 'his' dog! And Gunner, I know you would have loved life on the rock, but I'm so happy you never went. We will always have the memories of taking you and your sister to Newfoundland. The both of you love it there, many times I've watched you on the shore watching the water, taking in the crisp ocean air, watching it blow through your stunning red mane. You see old man, you were the first born in a little of 11, and you were the biggest and reddest boy in the crew, you were the one that always stood out, you were the one that made your presence known.You were the showboat my man and you knew it.
Due to your gentleness you both became amazing St John Ambulance Therapy Dog's, I was so proud, and boy, so were you. When it was time to 'go to work', you Gunner couldn't control yourself. All you wanted to do was get out there and meet people and give them love. Buddy, you did that job well, so did your sister, unfortunately, she started to get sick, and going out visiting just wasn't in the cards for her anymore.
The three of us have shared so many ups and downs of my life together. The biggest moments were when I had May with me on my wedding day, and then you were both here the day I go the news about having MS. When my world was crashing and I was here alone, both of you were by my side, catching every tear in your fur as they fell. Neither of you wavered that day, you both laid beside me as I was a crumpled mess on the floor. No truer friends could a girl ever ask for.
Over the years, I've watched as both your faces have turned white, and your bodies have slowed to a crawl. You're both sleeping so much heavier now, I've watched as May struggles to get up and go outside, and how much it hurts you when your try to go as well. I hate hearing you whimper when you lay down and try get up. I know the time is near.
There comes a time as a pet owner that we need to make one of the hardest decisions in our pet's life. How and when is the right time to say goodbye? There truly is none. Do I continue to wait, wait until you both can't move on your own? Or for the day I wake up and one of your don't?
Gunner and May, how do I say goodbye? For over 6 years, the two of you have been inseparable, neither of you can handle it if the other isn't close by, and for those years the two of you have also been a life line for me.
I've seen the look in your eyes and I know the time has come, it saddens me, but I know I'm making the right decision to let you both go together, as together is where the two of you would want to be. I'll let you both go with the dignity and respect that you both deserve. Know my friends that this isn't an easy decision for me, but it's one that I know is best for you. Neither of you will leave my heart, our memories will live there forever. Thank you for being the amazing dog's and best friends anyone could ask for.
I will be taking May and Gunner to Resting Paws Cemetery & Crematorium Inc. in Ottawa, where as a family (including Winnie) will say our final goodbye's on April 28th,2018. I am so fortunate that I was able to find Sabine and Patrick. They are making this decision so much easier, and knowing that my pups will never be far from my side the entire time is even more comforting. They'll be no waiting for their ashes to be returned, they'll be coming home with me.
These next two weeks will be hard, but every moment will be special and treasured!
Love you pups forever,
