At 10:40 am Tuesday Balto joined Natureman on his morning walk down our country road back in Wisconsin...
You see our 92 lb Texan rescue Husky Shepherd mix had dwindled down these past 4 months to 42 pounds. To say his appetite waned is an understatement. I had resorted to hand-feeding him 'people' food this past week. This Jewish mother tried everything to get him to eat but even his gusto for chicken, matzoh ball soup, and brisket was minimal.
The vet tech offered him a chocolate kiss. I guess if not now, when? You know chocolate is a big no-no for dogs. Well, he sniffed it and left it sitting on the floor. He wasn't interested. Go figure.Over 6 months had passed since Balto had been diagnosed with kidney cancer, Natureman's same disease... This month Balto's legs had begun to splay and betray his attempts to stand up on home's wooden floors and it was also becoming difficult for Balto to jump into the car.
As I have shared Balto had a super sweet temperament. He loved licking. In fact, we often joked, " he couldn't hold his 'licker.' I was giving him a big last hug and a kiss on his keppe ( head) when he gave me a great big lick. Yep, my eyes are just as leaky now writing this as they were after that last kiss.
Balto was as handsome as he was smart. He knew I didn't want him on furniture so he would wait until I left to sneak a nap and smoke a cigar on the sofa. Okay, I am adlibbing on that cigar part but he was comfy. Chewy bones would be found under the cushions along with drool spots. I would catch him on the doggy cam and tell him to get off the couch. He would look around the house for me and when he didn't find me, climb back on the sofa. He was never there when I returned.
We were offered to say our goodbyes while sitting on the Vet's couch/floor. Since this was a very special visit, I opted for the couch. Balto was leery even with me reassuring him it was okay to be on their low sofa.
The Vet entered the room and we spoke of Balto's failure to thrive. I knew it served no purpose to prolong what remained of my gentle giant. The meds took hold quickly. A couple good last pets goodbye and reassuring words of what a good boy he was...
Balto was there for me in my transition moving back to Arkansas. Natureman knew what he was doing asking me to move with Balto. Balto made sure I took breaks unpacking, got out of the house with daily walks, socializing at the doggy park, having someone to welcome me home whenever I returned and made sure we both ate during our grieving. I had to step over him at night to get out of bed. Balto became my companion as he had been Natureman's.
Balto was so quiet when he came from Texas to live in the End of the Rainbow Valley. He never barked until after after he had lived with us a couple of months. He also had a voice just like Scooby Doo when he decided to talk. He also could sing. This video popped up 2 days ago of Balto singing along with Natureman's harmonica playing. When I played it he joined in accompanying himself. What great memories to cherish...
Now both my Balto boys are keeping each other company again...
Take a listen...
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