No such thing as "Just a Dog"

Our dog Cajun died. He had canine diabetes. We didn't know. Looking back after he is gone, we now know the signs were there. But what are signs if you don't know they are signs?

We thought it was the heat. Our AC had been out for a few days before we could get it replaced. He got to enjoy the cool for one day. He is gone, he died in our living room on Saturday at 2:08pm. He died and we watched the life leave his body. He struggled to breathe and he was gone.

It was not cruel or inhumane; for his illness had taken it's hold of him long before we could heal him. It was too late, all we could do was make him comfortable and love on him until he was at rest.

The house is minus one of it's members now. We will no longer hear his clicky clack pattern of prancing as he moved through the house. He is gone. No longer will we laugh at the one ear that pointed to the side. Or call him Snag because he had this one tooth like a wild boar.

Cajun had diabetes and we didn't know.

Our family had him for eight years from the day he was a puppy of nine weeks. He was a rescue dog. Rescued because someone thought of him and his brothers as no more than trash, after leaving them at a nearby lake. How does someone do that? How do you look at the eyes of a little puppy and leave them for death?

Cajun is gone and we loved him. I am sure he loved us too. Sure, I yelled at him for barkng for any small noise. Before he died I told him I was sorry. I looked him in his eyes while they still had life and told him I was very sorry. He was a dog. Dogs bark.

Now he's gone and it hurts like crazy. Man it hurts.

He was just here. Chasing birds and squirrels in the backyard. Now he's gone.

After he died we couldn't bear to bury him in the back yard. The city animal control office was open. We took him there. We were asked if we wanted a private cremation Leslie and I both said no, it was too painfull. Too painful.

Cajun is gone. Our home is empty of one of it's members. It is out of balance. It feels different. I do no like this feeling.

Some might say "oh it was just a dog". There is no such thing as "just a dog".

Cajun had diabetes and now he is gone.

Diabetes is a silent killer. It comes on quietly without real notice. When it strikes it may be too late. For our Cajun it was too late. The doctor tried and with more care I do not think it would have mattered. It was just too late.

Cajun's death will not go without notice. Our goal is too create a foundation. One that will make an awareness of canine diabetes. One that will educate and pet holders will not need to experience the pain we were dealt this May 28th.

Cajun is gone, he was not just a dog, not just a pet, he was part of our family and he now is gone. Gone.