[RIP] This evening I made the decision to put a sweet, old street dog to sleep
We used to have a lot of street dogs here in Athens, Greece and a lot were shot in advance of the 2004 Olympics. It was grotesque and shameful. In my neighbourhood, not far from some of the Olympic venues on the south coast, a small black mutt lived on the streets for at least 15 years. She was well enough taken care of communally with fresh food, water, and blankets she would bed down in. One day, years ago, while walking my own dog I said to someone that I would take her in and was told that it had already been tried but she was miserable inside; she was a street dog, through and through. Three of my dogs have died in all those years, and there were times where I would seek her out just to sit with her. She welcomed the attention, but not too much of it. She was tough but loving. Tonight I was coming home from work and saw her walking on the edge of a very busy street, slowly and looking tired. I stopped and helped her back onto the sidewalk, and knew it was time to take her in. Maybe so that she could end her days in comfort, with food, water, shelter and the feeling of being loved through the coming winter rains and probably to the end of her days. My vet was around the corner, and he helped me bring her in for some tests and wash her up. She didn't put up a fight. We found she had kidney failure and was dying. I made the decision to put her to sleep and I held her head as she passed. I'm very sad that this wee creature who survived against all the odds for at least 15 years is gone. There's no point to this note and I'm not looking for absolution, but I wanted to say to someone, anyone, that a lovely, adorable and independent spirit died tonight; some called her Lola, some called her Fey, and her life was not meaningless and will not be forgotten.
Posted Nov 26, 2015, 5:11 PM UTC
The world needs more people like you. Thank you for being a good person and for taking care of this dog.