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Our Loving Hero
by Salli Camphouse
She was the runt of the litter, The last one left. I really didn't want another dog right then so soon after the loss of Mitzi, but my daughter was in love with this scrawny, barking little ball of redish fur that so many people before us had passed up. So naturally, we brought her home.
As a puppy, Muffin was a real challenge. My husband Chuck had just put a new sprinkler system in the backyard. One day when we came home from work, Muffin had dug up the entire system and was running back and forth with a large piece of PVC piping in her mouth. (She was so proud). Muffin was very protective of our family. Whenever she sensed danger, she would jump to the rescue. Of course this meant pulling my daughter off a swing, pulling her off of her bicycle and trying to yank her out of a swimming pool. My daughter still carries the scars today (15 years later) of Muffin's heroic efforts to rescue her from sudden danger.
Muffin grew into the most loving family member. She followed us around constantly. She also volunteered for a couple of years as a therapy dog. This was her favorite thing to do. I remember when she was being tested for this assignment, the trainer was calling her to come to him. Muffin wouldn't move which was very unusual for her. I decided to go over to her to see what was wrong. What I found I could not believe. Someone in the group had parked a wheelchair on her tail accidentally. She never complained, she never growled or barked, she just sat there. That was an instant pass into the therapy group for Muffin. The trainer said "she is the definition of therapy dog".
As years went by, Muffin grew greyer and greyer, but was in excellent health. Until one day when I got up in the morning, went into the kitchen and noticed that Muffin wasn't behind me like she always was. I found her in the bedroom still trying to get up. When the vet told me that she was in her final days, I refused to believe that. I couldn't lose that little girl. I didn't have enough warning. Her body was riddled with cancer (the painless type), which is why we never noticed anything wrong with her. By the time she was showing signs of illness, it was too late.
Since she wasn't in any pain, we took her home and started the 2 month stretch of carrying her outside to go potty, spoiling her with all of her favorite foods, and showering her with kisses and hugs until, one day, I saw in her eyes that she was ready.
I'm ashamed to say that I was not there when she took her last breath. My husband and son held her till her final moment. When the vet came into the room with tears in his eyes, I completely lost it. I kissed her goodbye and told her that I loved her and waited outside the room. I just couldn't watch her die.
All of this happened almost three months ago. I still walk over her favorite spot as if she's still lying there, but then I remember. If ever there was an angel dog, Muffin was it. My heart is broken. Where has all that time gone? It seems like just the other day that she was digging up the sprinkler system. Why do they have to leave us so soon. She filled my heart with so much love that when she left me I thought my heart would burst.
Thank you Muffin for 15 years of love, joy, companionship, & laughter. I hope you knew how very much you were loved. Until we meet again at the rainbow bridge.
Love,
Mommy & Ray
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author, Salli Camphous
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