Anyway,I had a dream the night before last that me and my partner were standing high up on a grassy mound while our dog trotted away from us along a very log path, he was a long way away and in the distance when he stopped and looked back at us, I could some how see his face clearly and close up, he looked handsome. He continued on his journey away from us and in my dream I felt that he was leaving us because he had too. I was really sad and started to call him back but he was so far away now.

When I awoke, he was as expected, at the foot of my bed, I felt more connected and closer to him all day. We had friends stayng with us and we had a lovely day with him, had a long walk, sat in the sun and had a long drive, he loved being amongst people.

At around 10 last night, he had some kind of ‘turn’, buckled in pain, trying to be sick and foaming badly at the mouth, we rushed him to an emergency vet, the vet told us that there is something serously wrong, that he is in shock, terrible pain, and that his body is shutting down, she didn’t expect him to make the night and told us that even if he did, at his age, there would be little that could be done. She told us that putting him to sleep was really the only option and that if would not be dignified for him for us not to accept her advice. She left the room to attend to another emergency while we were left to make up our minds what to do. Even though he had been administered Morphine, he was in terrible pain and distress, we made the decision to let him go and said our goodbyes, we stayed with him til the end.

Today I reflect on the dream and wonder whether the dream was to forewarn us of his imminent departure or purely a coincidence. It may also be worth mentioning that I have never had a dream like this about him before.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Three years ago I had a handsome Belgium Shepherd who was on his way to a Rescue Centre until I intervened. He tangled with coyotes this one particular night. I took him to the vet; they stitched him up again and were going to keep him for a few days. He never made it out. I had to have my dehumidifier on each night so I didn’t hear any commotion outside. I was working at that time so I called the vets a few times during the day and went to see him each day after work and lay beside him and cry. Each day I could see him going down hill. Finally the vet said that we should put him down, so she did, with me crying so hard and holding him on my lap while he was traveling to rainbow Bridge. I couldn’t go to work for at least a week. I was crying so hard. I missed him. I wanted to go with him. I loved Morgan so much. The vet said it was leptospirosis that was killing him. Lepto is now in the regular vaccine.

Sometime after, I had to go on Long Term Disability. That’s what a head on accident with a dump truck does to you. Talk about spastic. In retrospect I can see how I changed over the months. But at the time I didn’t notice any difference. Later, friends said they noticed the changes.

I went to the hospital where I worked to see how my colleagues were doing. One of the women volunteers from our local animal rescue. She takes little dogs or puppies in to work in a small carrier so they wouldn’t be left alone all day. One of the techs came up to me and said, “Do you want to see the cutest puppy in the world?” Well, how could I say no? He went home with me the next day. He had been smacked up against a wall by a little boy. Morgan was at the vets for a time, IV insertion point, on antibiotics and observation. I could still see where his front paw had been shaved at the insertion point. He still slept a lot after his adoption. He’d want to play for a bit and then he conked out sleeping. I had to get Morgan accustomed to children because he would cry and crawl away to hide.

I fostered him until he was ready to be adopted. He grew a tad bigger than expected but that’s just more to love and he gives bigger kisses. He’s a collie and shepherd all Canadian and is 100 pounds. When we go out and plan to leave him at home, we get the saddest look of rejection, the whites in his eyes, his ears droop and you’re sure he won’t be alive when you come home…so, he comes, even if we take the Mustang. He is a very intelligent dog. I’ve enrolled him in Advanced Obedience classes and one of the trainers for the movies wants a picture of him. Playing dead he has a bit of trouble with because he doesn’t have time.

My plan is to go to the animal shelter to meet with the staff regarding the Animal Rescue Festival I’m planning in August. I also need to get information on fundraisers and also talk to them about dogs that people won’t adopt because they’re blind or too old. I would be more than willing to help with one.

I have my diploma in Animal Sciences and observed numerous surgeries on animals. I found when I was studying that I had difficulty focusing on the fact that our pets are on all fours, and I would get confused about where their parts were. I’m used to humans on the operating table not animals. The vet and I engaged in many conversations regarding the differences in a vet and hospital operating room. I automatically assumed that a vet would know about people stuff too.

I have just started a webpage on depression and I want to incorporate the therapy of a pet. When I cry Morgan hears me sniff and he comes directly over to me and puts his head on my lap trying to comfort me. His head has been on my lap quite a bit lately. When I take Morgan to visit my brother in an ECU; he had a stroke at 52 years, and he only says, “boy.” He’s paralyzed down the right side. The little elderly ladies in their wheel chairs wheel around trying to get to Morgan first. By the time we’re ready to go they’re arguing who Morgan likes the best. I’m glad my brother is the only patient that has an electric wheel chair.

Thank you for offering your course to the person you feel is your choice recipient.

Mardee Boone