FAREWELL PRECIOUS KENOBI

Kenobi came to me two weeks ago.   His picture from the shelter grabbed my heart.

My grandchildren are so used to me fostering-- and Sugar Bit welcomed Kenobi and had tea with him.  He loved it.

"What's in the basket?" he seemed to say.

He enjoyed her covering him up so he was snuggly.

Kenobi had significant issues when he came to us.  He had been found in the middle of a road in Maryland, but he was saved and taken to the shelter.  

He came to me and we hoped we could help him.   He was having great difficulty walking.

He tried, though, and he soon learned that he could trust me.  He looked for me.  

He knew I would rescue him if he got stuck.

He had the sweetest face.   Everyone who helped transport him fell in love with him.

Kenobi had kennel cough, and had to be in the office by himself.  But, Sugar Bit entertained him with paper dolls (magnetic).  He was fascinated.

Kenobi loved to be held.  So, we sat on the office couch a lot.   He would just melt into me.  

Sometimes, we just sat outside, with him on my lap.   He had a lot of mobility issues,  

His back legs didn't work well.  His feet would not come forward, but he tried.

He had osteoarthritis, and we began pain meds for him.   It seemed to help at first.

But, this week, he went backwards.   His back legs weren't working well and even his front legs began to have issues.   He walked with a huge effort and then would fall over.   I was right there.   Thursday was especially hard.  He was shaking with pain, and he could no longer move his back legs.   Some kind of paralysis had set in.   His front left leg was in pain, too.   He wanted to walk, but he couldn't.

I held him as he struggled.   He was so precious-- he kept looking into my eyes, or pressing is face into me as his body relaxed.   

Many of you know I've had many who crossed the Rainbow Bridge--- it's part of  rescue, especially when you take the older or sick ones.   My friend, Michelle, said, "helping them to be free of pain while in our loving arms is the last gift we can give them-- but it feels like your heart is being ripped right out of your chest."   Letting them go in our arms, close to their face, helps them not be afraid.  

In rescue, sometimes, it is the hardest thing, but the most unselfish thing to let them go.   I knew Kenobi could not be healed so we gave him peace, while being held with love.  

Kenobi, you were in my life two weeks, but the love you gave was timeless.  Your eyes found me, and I knew you trusted me to do what was best for you.   We loved each other.  What an honor to have you in my life.  Run free now, sweet sweet boy.   You were a blessing.