by Frans Mast
We got our dog Benji, a mixed terrier - poodle, when he was only a couple of weeks old. Our four children were still young and Benji was received with open arms. Within about a half a year we found out the hard way that Benji was epileptic. When he had his first attack, we did not know what it was. Ever since that first attack, he has been on medication. His attacks started out with about three or four a week but near the end of his life that had gone down to about one or two a year. But during his last year, when he was thirteen years old, he became kind of like senile, blind and disoriented. He would bump into everything in the house. My wife and I were thinking about putting Benji to sleep but could not bring ourselves to go ahead. The kids were grown up, married or not living at home any more. But when our daughter Linda wrote the enclosed letter in Benji's name, it was not hard anymore to make up our mind. Here it is.
Dear Mama and Papa.
I'm getting so very old now, I'd like to thank you before it's too late. I thank you for providing me the most loving home a pooch could want. You've provided me food, shelter and love for so many years now, I can't remember anything else. I do remember how scared I was when I first came to you. So many new humans! But everyone just pet me and gave me tasty snacks. Not just dog food either. Real meat and cheese and even ice cream! It wasn't long before I was sleeping upstairs on a real bed. Not that I didn't like all my pooch beds, but I loved cuddling up next to a big warm body. I'm sorry for all the puppy mistakes I've made. I just couldn't help myself when temptation was near. I loved to chew on stuffed animals and mail and whatever else was left around. I remember the first time I got sick. I was so scared! I remember you talking about putting me to sleep. I was so afraid! I was just a puppy with my whole life ahead of me. I still had walks to go on and a nasty (but loveable in his own way) little brother to meet and take care of. But you kept me, even with all my troubles and I loved you for it. It made all the next years even better. And they were great years. I was such a spoiled, pampered doggy. Every memory I have is good, well almost all. Teddy gave me a lot of grief and your children pulled some nasty tricks on me, but I realize now with the wisdom that comes with old age, that they all loved me, and it was all in fun. But now I'm a tired, sore old dog whose favorite pastime is to sleep. In my dreams I'm a young dog again, running free in the park without a care in the world. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I wish I could sleep forever, dreaming of my loving family. It's time now to say goodbye,before I give you unhappy memories that erase the beautiful ones I want to leave you with. I hurt too much to be a good doggy anymore. I'd be ever so grateful if you could help me to close my eyes one last time. I wish I could be your pet forever, but I'd be much more peaceful in my sleep.
Love, Benji
After reading this letter, we had no trouble to take Benji to the Vet to have him put to sleep.

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