On Tuesday, July 26, we had to put down my dog, Levi. It still saddens me so deeply to think that he is gone. I am writing this to remember the joys he brought into my life and find closure to a chapter that is now behind me.
I first saw Levi at an SPCA adoption event at the Folsom outlets. For quite some time I had been longing for a pet to love, nurture, and call my own. He was the very first dog I saw that day, with his head cocked oddly to one side, a tail that never ceased to wag, and a "grin" that stretched from ear to ear. The excitement I felt was only the beginning of the joy he would bring into my life. My dad suggested the name I ultimately chose, which I soon found out meant "joined together." I think that God brought me and that dog together for his final years.
Levi was already old when I adopted him, but even up until the last few months of his life he had a youthful liveliness and an energized spirit. God blessed me so much with this dog. He was so sweet, and loved every person he encountered with the complete devotion of his heart. He always strived to please, and even though it was hard for him to hear instructions, he constantly did his best to do us well. He had a humorous readiness to drink anything out of our lake, but would refuse to drink out of his water bowl if it had the smallest bit of debris. I will never forget his love of daily walks, and how he would prance through the neighborhood. Yet he had an almost fearful dislike of his harness. I chuckle to recall how he would crazily run about the house after his (unfortunately infrequent) baths. I found he was always eager to get in the car, but became nervous as we drove along (oddly finding comfort in the music used for the Easter productions). I remember how difficult it was to take pictures of him, as he always managed to turn his head away at the last second. It was funny how he had such a special fondness for girls. I remember his panting smile accompanied by horrendous breath. He loved running back and forth throughout our back-yard, as if playing a game of "tag". I remember sleeping with him at my feet on the couch upstairs. Amongst all of these rambled remembrances, I will never forget his limitless devotion, even until his final hours.
I loved that dog so much. But he was in such great pain. His bones never ceased to hurt him, he was became increasingly blind and deaf, he would shake without apparent reason, tired more and more easily, could no longer walk up and down the stairs, was unable to even find us in the same room, and lived in a constant state of pain and confusion. The thing that hurts me most is how hard he tried to hide it, and how much more he suffered that we couldn't even see. Even from the time I got him, I knew that this day would come. Fortunately I was able to say goodbye in multiple ways, and hopefully give him the best conclusion to his life he could have experienced. Even though I was able to prepare myself for this time, it still is really hard to know he's gone. I will miss him terribly, but now I know he is free from pain, and we did the right thing. When God gave us dogs, he gave us a blessing we hardly could have deserved. This may be the end of a chapter, but it will be one I fondly recall till I see you again in heaven.
Goodbye Levi. May you rest in peace.
-Rebekkah
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