Nearly two weeks into January, and I have not had the heart to write much here in these past days... On New Year's Eve, with my neighbour Dede, I took his old black labrador Nelson (named after Nelson Mandela) to the veterinarian in nearby Ales, for the final and fatal injection to end his life. The poor dog was in such pain, the "putting to sleep" was an act of mercy I could only wish for myself when my time comes.
In the past year or two, Nelson has spent increasing amounts of time at my house, and in the last months he has been a fixture, either under the piano bench or on the carpet closest to the fireplace. Arthritic, deaf, and incredibly smelly, he was still one of the most adorable creatures I've ever known, and I loved him dearly. Some days he was nearly puppy-like in his enthusiasm to come in the house, or to receive a few extra scraps for his supper... but much of the time he slept... As he is here, is how I will remember him...
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| Nelson, under the the mulberry tree.. let sleeping dogs lie.... |
