Pets...and their bonds with humans

I have three pet toy dogs at home, but my first pet was Fred who was given to my family when he was about three years old. He was a Shih Tzu, squat and with whitish brown fur. Because he was not properly brought up, he was rather temperamental and would snap at anyone who approached him from the front to pat his head. But other than that, and besides an occasional growling, he was a delightful chap who would run a good run up and down the garden. He would consume all his energy chasing after a ball up and down the lawn and end up panting for dear life after that. One day his health began to deteriorate because of old age and the vet said he needed an operation to remove a cancerous growth in his abdomen. Dutifully we put Fred on the operating table. He recovered somewhat, albeit for only another six months or so. This time he suffered from am inability to urinate and his kidneys were failing. Eventually the fateful decision had to be made for Fred to take one last look at all of us, and with a few faint breaths he was put to sleep by the vet to relieve him of all his sufferings. For more than a year, we didn't buy any new pets in deference to Fred.

Now once again I have to go through the stress and trauma of coping with Goofy, who is almost 16 years old, and is suffering from failure of his liver, heart and kidney. From a bouncing Shih Tzu, he became a bony, subdued dog, who is now unable to take but a few strides before he collapses onto the ground. He hardly eats and has to be forced feed with water to keep him going. The doctors couldn't do much except to try and give him a quality life as he inches towards the certainty in the circle of life. Goofy is yet another family pet, lovable and adorable. He is clever and is the only dog who uses his paws to scratch on the door if he wants you to let him into the room. He supervises his son, Ritchie, like a good father and would be the first on the car porch if he sees his son rushing to the main gate. His wife Snowy would stand idly by as she watches him discipline his son. Goofy is a father who dotes on his son. He would gladly give way to Ritchie when he takes his meals. Now Goofy is but a helpless father as his son comes and kisses him by licking his face. I can only do my best to prolong the days for Goofy and pray that he would be able to move on without more pain or suffering to the next world. Whatever...the passage of time will not erase the fond memories of Fred and Goofy.