Gen
One of the greatest sorrows my Dad ever experienced was leaving his beloved Bobo, a small terrier, behind when he went off to fight in World War II. Adding to the sorrow, Bobo died as Dad was fighting behind the lines in the Hurtgen Forest. Losing Bobo and not being able to say a final goodbye felt worse to Dad in many ways than being blown up himself.
iGen crossed the Rainbow Bridge last week. Skyler and I held her and said our broken hearted goodbyes as she slipped into her eternal sleep.
Gen had full last days. Michael flew in from Manhattan to snuggle, walk and talk with Gen. Have you ever enjoyed a conversation with a perfect dog person? Their eyes, head tilts and body communicate their deep understanding of your soulful discussions. We took a last ride up to Silver Lake in the autumnal tinged Wasatch Mountain Forest. We offered special treats. Steak. Chicken. Banana. Ice cream. Even the elusive chocolate. In the end Gen refused all treats and even stopped sipping water.
Damn cancer. Gen endure four different bouts. Two during her two and a half year tenure at Best Friends in Kanab. She had survived chemotherapy and a mastectomy by the time she came to us. Then Gen developed Mast Cell tumor disease. Tumors popped up all over her coat. Three times the vet removed them. The last time Gen had difficulty with the anesthetic and recovery. Surgery would not be an option again. The vet suggested we had two years left. Gen eked out four.
In total we had Gen with us for eight years. Eight years of joy on every waking, every homecoming, every meal, and every chance to chase those darn squirrels and quail in the backyard. Joy and twirling for every walk and offer of bye bye in the car. Eight years of delightful snugs on laps. Not long enough.
We miss her terribly, as we missed other dogs before Gen.
It’s too soon to think about another dog person joining us. That time may come. In the meantime, we will try to live up to the example Gen set for us of joy, wonder, and patience with the world around us. We feel like Gen has joined Bobo in the watchful care of my Dad, Glenn. She will be playing with Ammie, Zoey, Kinder, Madchen, Lieben, and all the other Blinzler dogs. Dogs don’t just go to heaven. They bring heaven to earth. Our job is to live so we may join them again.
