by Laura
I was a young girl when my parents got divorced. My father was never around and my mom felt incredibly bad for me and to make me feel better, got me what I always wanted, a dog. We went to the animal shelter and picked out a dog, a beagle, who had been a stray. She was the cutest thing and had the sweetest temperment. Over the years, she grew closer and closer to me than anyone. She was always there, lovingly wagging her tail and looking at me with her big pretty brown eyes everytime I ate. She loved people food. :) The sound of her snoring put me peacefully to sleep every night. She started to have problems with arthritis, and it progressively got worse over the course of about 4 years. The medicine just stopped working. Poor Piggy didn't seem like herself and it was obvious she was in a lot of pain. She lost the majority of her muscle mass in her back legs and had trouble walking, laying, sitting, doing anything. I knew taking her to the vet was something I had to do, and of course, at the same time did not want to do. I cried and cried and felt absolutely awful. I took her to the Vet and the Vet informed me that Piggy was probably in a great deal of pain and it would be best if she was put to sleep. I knew I had to be strong for her sake, because I didn't want Piggy to see me so upset. My mother was in the room and had to leave, because she was crying so hard. Well, I stayed there and talked to her alone for a few minutes and spent time hugging her and petting her and telling her how much I loved her. The Vet came in with her assistant and my heart completely broke in half. I watched her get the shot and in a matter of a few seconds, was gone. I pet her back and just sobbed as quietly as I could. The Vet looked at me and said "Okay, her heart has stopped." I was in shock and I didn't know what to do. My dog was on this table, not breathing, not alive. The Vet was very comforting and left me alone in the room with her. I hugged her goodbye and just cried. She was laying there, eyes closed, with her sweet face rested gently on her paw. Her pain was finally gone and it was the most peaceful sight I have ever seen. I talked to her, and even called out her name, deep down knowing she wouldn't open her eyes and look back... But I wish she would have. Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel" had been playing on the radio when she died, and was still playing as I said my final goodbye... I didn't want to leave her... But I knew I had to. That was the hardest day of my entire life. I went home expecting to see her there, I went to sleep expecting to hear snoring... I had a very hard time getting used to her not being around. It's only been 5 weeks, and I'm getting better, but there are times I look around the house and burst into tears. I know she's in a better place and someday she will run to me all full of energy and I can hold her in my arms, but until then, she is missed unbelievably and I would give anything to spend one more minute with her. I've taken a lot of comfort in the words of fellow animal lovers and I thank them for that. I thank the creator of this website and I thank everyone reading this, because memories of Piggy will continue to live on, as I want them to.