My Beloved Bruno Options

[mschultz]

I just found this forum and I really am thankful for a place to share this morning as it's been some of the hardest days of our lives.

After losing our 9 year old boxer Casey, in 1999, we weren't sure if we could ever go through that pain again. But then on June 6th, 2000, we heard of an approximately 8 month old Boxer boy who was sitting in our local animal shelter and had already been given up 2 times. I went to work that day, my husband went to investigate and needless to say, I came home that night the proud mommy of Bruno. He came with the name from the shelter and we decided to keep it. We were given no information about his past and although he was the typical boxer puppy frisky, we were amazed at his training. From the moment he came home to his last day, he had full rein of our home and never had an accident, never chewed inappropriate things, can't imagine why someone would have trained him so perfectly andthen given him up, but we were truly blessed. He was really the greatest friend we could ever hope for.

We had six wonderful years filled with so much fun, love, spoiling,loyalty and all other good things. We worked ooposite shifts for most of these years, so Bruno was truly the one each of us spent most of our individual time with. And we couldn't wait for the weekends when mommy, daddy and Bruno could share our fun toghether as a family.

Two years ago, Bruno had an episode where we thought he may have had a stroke, but after many tests and many dollars spent, nothing was found and he totally recuperated and became his old self within a week. We enjoyed the next year+ thinking this was just an isolated incident, but about six months ago, it happenned again, more tests, no definitive answers, and once again he got better in a few days.

Three weeks ago, Bruno was not acting like himself, and would not eat. On October 10th, the vet x-rayed his chest and found over 30 tumors on his lungs and chest alone. She called me with the news that he had very bad cancer that had metasticized through every part of his body very quickly and although he didn't seem to be in any pain, he could not survive this. She gave him some steroid medication and he began to eat and and become his old self and so a few hours after bringing him in for the xrays, we brought him back home. I prayed that he would stay in this good way for a few more days and with the medicine, he quickly became our spirited Bruno once again. We spent every minute of the last two weeks having so much fun with him, knowing that a miracle was not going to be, but cherishing every last quality moment he gave us.

Our other dog had died naturally and so we never had to make "the decision" and was not sure how we could do it. But after 15 great days of near normalness, Bruno let us know suddenly on Wednesday night that he was tired and it was time. You were so perfect for the last two weeks, we thanked you so much for the extra time and knew we could never let you suffer selfishly for even one day.

We are proud that we had the strength to do the hardest thing we've ever had to do, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Bruno, you lived and passed with such dignity, you gave us the best 6 years of our lives. You will always be present in our hearts and we know you and Casey will play and be happy until we all meet again.

Thank you all for listening to my story, the hurt is fresh and I know after reading some of your stories, the tears will lessen and friends and time will slowly heal our hearts and preserve only the best memories. And one day I know I will have to go through this all over gain, because I truly know that Bruno would want the love we shared with him to be lavished on another friend and the right time time for that will eventually be clear.

Thank you for be there for me to share my sadness and although every part of life and death has been perfect and the only way it could be for him, please send your thoughts and prayers to us for helping to heal the loss we feel and the pain we feel missing him. I wake up thinking this has all been a dream and that he is aiting for me downstairs and it's just so hard.

Meryl and Bob Schultz
Northern NJ

[mschultz]

To all of you who responded to me:

Your words have brought so much comfort to me. It's hard to believe it's almost a week, but all of your shared experiences and thoughts have helped me feel more peaceful than I ever would have thought I could be at this point.

Although I miss Bruno immensely, I truly feel he is surrounded by so many friends and so much love that I can begin to think of him with happiness again rather than sadness.

Thanks to all of you!

Meryl