It has been exactly one week.
Even after a week I still find it difficult to comprehend......to catch my breath.......to believe.
Rhett passed away. My sweet and loving Rhett who brought everyone he met joy and smiles and a toy to throw.
Gone. And my heart aches like it never has before.
It started out like any Saturday. We ate breakfast and the dogs went to their yard while I fed horses and began to dig up cactus in prep for the barn site.
I heard a dog yelp. As though it got bitten by something or maybe stepped on a sticker, so I went up to the dog yard to see. I opened the gate and out tumbled Maximoose and Scarlett. Rhett slowly came forward out of the gate and passed out. Fell right over. He was unresponsive and his eyes were glazed.
I had to take Scarlett and Max to the house for I could not examine Rhett with them so concerned and getting in the way. When I got back, Rhett was sitting up and confused. He could not stand so I grabbed an old piece of carpet and got him on it, so I could pull him to the house. After a few feet, Rhett decided that was for the dogs and he slowly walked with me to the house. I immediately called my vet and left a message on the emergency line.
And then I examined Rhett thoroughly. I could find no bite marks, no injuries, but his teeth were clenched tightly. Tightly enough that I could not get them open to administer medication even if I knew what to administer. The doctor finally called and told me that she was not in town and to get him to the clinic at Cerbat Hills. She would call ahead.
Rhett was acting more normal now but how was I going to get him into the truck? Good grief! He weighs close to 80 pounds! But thinking, (I am sure), that he was going to work at the nursing home, Rhett jumped into the truck and we sped to the clinic.
I had to lift him out of the truck, but he was able to walk into the office. They quickly took him to the back examining room and put me in another. When the doctor came she explained that she needed to do x-rays and blood work to ascertain what was going on, so I okayed that and it began. Rhett wagged his tail and licked the techs hand as she took blood. Everyone was in tears. My girlfriend, whom I had texted to please pray before we left the house, showed up and was with me during this horrid time.
It turned out that my sweet little Rhett had tumors on his spleen and one had cracked open. The x-rays showed he was filled with cancer. His little body cavity was slowly filling up with blood and in a great deal of pain. Rhett would be 12 in June. His heart rate was slowing and we were not even positive he would make it through the surgery or the ensuing rehab at that age. We discussed quickly and I made the most difficult of decisions.
I HATE death. I hate cancer....it is a respecter of no person.
Scarlett is still carrying Rhett's collar and sleeps with it. A week later. My home is so quiet. There is a hole there, one that is no longer filled with the joy of Rhett. Our lives will never be the same. Because he is no longer here but more importantly because he WAS here.
What he brought to my life and to the lives of others at the nursing home, cannot be measured. My Rhett left a legacy of love. To anyone who knew him and anyone he touched. So I thank You, Father. For choosing me. For blessing me with this sweet, sweet pup and entrusting to me his care. I got more than I gave. I will carry this blessing and these memories for eternity. I will never forget and will always give thanks.
I love you, Rhett. I always will.
