Losing one of our own

Most days driving into the ITV rescue, I'm filled with anticipation and excitement. I love to help find a new home for our many rescues. To raise money to support our always "too full" 24 -hour operating center. It is the cause that keeps me sane and makes me happy.  This day was a little different.

Bo is a senior Shepherd Mix  we rescued at animal control.  His family decided he was too old and dumped him.  We knew he needed rescued. He was 12 years old and never deserved to be dumped, so we promised him a new forever home. He fit in with our rescues and gave our techs a little run for their money. Bo was a bit stubborn and wanted to do things HIS way. We found middle ground and he lived here at ITV for several months. He got his one-on-one leash walks through-out the day, as well as playtime in our backyard. This golden mix guy was probably a super cute puppy in his first years.  He likely loved raw hides since he still enjoyed chewing on them as a treat. We put him through the regular protocol and he soon was ready for adoption. Bo and his graying face could now look forward to sifting through the adoption applications and pick his forever home.

Seniors have a harder time finding an adopted family. Many people don't want to risk becoming attached to a companion who may only live a few years. Some people don't want to risk the costs that may incur with an older dog.  But ANY dog, as humans, are never promised perfect health. They are never promised tomorrow. That's why here at ITV we strive to give the best care to our rescues every day. Every single day they are treated like kings and queens as they should be. Good nutrition.  Socialization. Exercise. Healthcare. Plain old love. And more love.

Bo didnt get many serious inquiries, but we never give up on any of our potential adoptees. There is ALWAYS one person who can and will bond with any one of our furry family of rescues. It only takes ONE person. Bo lived at the rescue, so he got love from everyone. Staff, techs, volunteers and visitors. He was happy. He stayed stubborn, but we let him be happy.

Slowly, Bo wasn't acting his normal self. We knew something was wrong.  Bo went to the vet as we sought treatment for him. He was given a possibility of few diagnosis and was put on a regimen of medications and special diet. Unfortunately, his situation did not improve.  The vet suggested surgery.  He thought Bo had bladder or kidney stones. Removing them would not be easy, but with recuperation and care,  Bo could recover from stone removal.

Bo went through a very serious surgery we hoped would begin to heal him. Again, luck wasn't on his side. Bo had cancer and his organs were swollen well beyond normal size. This cancer could not be treated.  There was not a fight to be fought. And we always fight the good fight here at ITV.   Medication and our will to heal him was not working. Bo was in pain when the medication wore off and he did not have his zest for life.  It wasn't fair to Bo. As much as we prayed and wanted him to live, we knew we had to do right by Bo. We promised him that at animal control as we made him an ITV Rescue dog!  We owed that to him.

That Friday, I drove up to the teal painted building. Bo was outside with a ton of people around him. He was surrounded by all of the people who loved him. We know he loved us all too. Tears were streaming down every face.  My heart was in my throat.  I wanted to vomit.  As much as we didnt want Bo to leave us, it was irresponsible to let him linger for our needs. Dr Yu was expecting Bo. He was surprised at the outpouring of love that showed up with him.

Two cars full of the people who loved Bo arrived at the Newburgh clinic. Bo got to ride shotgun. He got a very good walk. Tears are still creeping out of eyes and our hearts ached. We knew we needed to let Bo out of his pain as a natural death would be long and painful. This was a definite explained by the experienced vet who had operated on him and saw firsthand the cancer within our rescued dog. Bo had been a joy to all of us, and we intended to make good on our promise.  He WOULD find the perfect forever  home.

We all sat in a circle around Bo in the operatory room. Stories were shared about Bo.  Many I hadn't heard and I felt closer to Bo knowing more about him. The love for Bo on each person's  face was evident and touching. ITV isn't a place where rescues only  live. It is a place where they are loved and given the best opportunity for their deserved life as we are able to give. We didn't want to be there doing this.   It had to be done. There  was no way we would send Bo along on his own. We gave him love. We all whispered caring words into his ear. Bo was even given a rawhide chew as a bribe to get him to lay down. He LOVED that chew and wasn't about to give it up.

The inevitable was to begin and we just concentrated on Bo. Each of us made sure he knew he was loved and his life was worth remembering. He needed to know we loved him enough to let him go. To cross to Rainbow Bridge without pain or suffering. To run and play and be the active stubborn dog he was born to be. Bo passed peacefully. He fell slowly into a forever sleep. One puff of air came out of his nose and he was gone. Gone from us, but amongst the angels and all the animals in Heaven.

I'm sure Bo caused quite a stir when he arrived and crossed Rainbow Bridge. I imagine all my previous personal dogs as well as a few foster dogs immediately greeted him. I'm certain he was besieged by every ITV rescue who also made the journey to that bridge. Bo was given instructions to say hello to my Teddy and Ellie Mae. I'm not sure he followed my wishes.  Remember, Bo was stubborn.  He was so stubborn he took his half eaten rawhide with him. I'm sure he has teased quite a few dogs with it by offering it, then taking it back. Yes, Bo would still be the amazing dog we fell in love with. He will be there to greet us when our time comes.

The one thing I'm certain Bo won't be though, is in pain. He won't cry out when his belly is rubbed. He won't throw up after he eats because his body was attacked by a horrible cancer.  Because we loved Bo so much, we fulfilled our promise. We found him the perfect forever home. He's in acres of green grass and fields with lakes and many companions to frolick with. It's not the place we initially set out to place Bo.  It was the humane thing to do. It would have been reckless and extremely selfish to not give Bo this ending. His humans didn't see that BO had a peaceful, pain free crossing. We did. We loved him THAT much. It wasn't easy. In fact, it sucked and we sobbed, but it was our responsibility to fulfill this humane life ending moment.

Bo...we loved you.  You've impacted my heart and every heart you interacted with. You will not be forgotten. Your stories and legacy will live on.  We know Phil and Capone are there with you showing you the ropes.  I know I will see you again. I still think about you everyday. The tears are still flowing occasionally, but your pain was too intense. I know it was the right decision. Anything else would have been mean and selfish. Run Bo!  Play tug with the ropes you so loved in life!  Enjoy everlasting life without pain. We are still here working hard. You know our work will continue until all paws have a home. Enjoy your joyous Christmas and New Year in your forever home.  Bo is there now. That place called Rainbow Bridge where all animals are blessed for all eternity.

Sincerely,
Lori Martin, Dog Advocate and ITV Volunteer.