Goodbye Winnie

Many of my fellow animal lovers know and understand how a pet can be more than just a pet. In fact, pets often feel they aren’t actual animals and justifiably sit on sofas, lay on bedroom pillows, and sneak food off of dining room tables. We often love them more and want them in our lives more than relatives.

Alex and I rescued Winnie nine years ago from a construction site in Brooklyn. She and her six siblings were living under a boiler with their mom. We were able to save Winnie right off because she had been injured and couldn’t run away. The vet determined she was about five months old.

I grew up with a collie, Princess, and when I had to put her to sleep at age 13, I didn’t think there would ever be another dog like her. Well, Winnie changed all of my thinking. She was gentle, loving, loyal, smart and protective. When she ran, you would swear you were watching a deer prance. She loved licking noses, as well as toes. We almost lost Winnie in 2004 when she was protecting our other dog, Nellie, from a group of dogs attacking her in a dog run. She jumped right in the middle and knocked Nellie to the ground. She stood over Nellie and took the brunt until all of the other dogs were removed.

Today Winnie had to be put to sleep. Something that started less than 48 hours ago revealed that most of her brain had been invaded by a tumor. Yet, her sweet demeanor never changed. She lost her vision on Monday evening and instead of allowing her to continue to suffer, Winnie was put to sleep.

When Alex and I split, we were still able to share custody of our pets. Although I wasn’t able to say goodbye and my feelings about that are best left to another sort of blog, I have amazing memories of a truly wonderful dog.

Peace, Love & Winnie,

~me

See Winnie Here

~ by Michele Mattia on 2007, July 18.