Day 251 | Snow

There are a lot miles on those little feet. When I look at this photo I see her running, no almost flying, racing on the sand. Going so fast that the sand she throws up with her feet lands when she’s already 10 meters further. There used to be a trail of sand behind her, like the water behind powerboats. Today these feet stopped moving.

After having grown very old in the last few weeks, she started getting epileptic attacks last friday. We got a few pills from the vet and throughout the weekend she was doing ok. Normally when the snow falls she gets very excited and looks a few years younger again. Not this year though. She had trouble remaining upright and her sense of balance was waning. But she didn’t have any attacks. Monday in the middle of the night she got another one. I stayed awake most of the night and so was Snow. She was sort of restless, anxious looking. I made the decision that it had been enough. She has led just about the best life a dog can get. (You can read something about her here at day 44). And she wasn’t going to get any better. In the morning when I went to walk her, she could only walk about 5 meters out the door. After that she lay down. I called the vet and told that I thought that it was enough and he agreed. You must know that Dr Breuk has known Snow for 14 years too. He used to have 2 Border Collies himself. I used to take them out on walks on the beach, so we have a little history. He offered to come by our house and give the shots here at the end of the day. During the day it became very clear that Snow wasn’t going to last much longer. It seemed as if her body was shutting down rapidly. Nicole and I wanted to wait until the end of the day anyway so Noa could have enough time to start accepting what was about to happen, so it all felt natural. We had been talking about this for quite some time now, so she was pretty cool about it. She asked the questions a 4 year old would ask.

When it was time, Joep and Rosko came over to say their goodbyes and they stayed until she was gone. It was a very weird, intense, beautiful, sad, happy, memoryfull, hour or so.We talked some and petted Snow who was laying on a blanket in the room. We send her a lot of love and energy, and told her that it was okay to go, that she deserved the rest. Tears flowed while Noa was busy making drawings for Snow and everyone. She cuddled Snow every now and then and understood what was happening and what was about to happen.

Snow got 2 shots. One the fall asleep, and after a while the final on that stopped her heart. That moment was very very clear. One moment there was a sleeping wonderdog, and the other there was just body left.

That night we took her to the crematorium. Somewhere in the next few days will spread her ashes where she belongs. On the beach.

I want to thank Snow for being a part of my life for 14 years and some. We had great adventures, she was there in my happiest times and also in the worst times. Always ready, always waiting, always looking to please. She knew when to come close and when to keep distance. I would say she was the perfect dog!

I also want to thank Joep and Rosko for being with us. Your support was welcome. I know you guys have had your moments with Snow, and I’m glad you could say goodbye.

Nicole and Noa, I’m happy you’re in my life. We will have to get used to a life without Snow. It will take some time and we’ll be fine! I love you!

I also want to say thanks to everyone who emailed, twitter DM’s/@mentioned, Facebookmailed/wall messages and textmessaged. I am overwhelmed by all the great supporting messages. That only goes to show how great of dog Snow was and IS!

Thank you