We got Lightning as a Xmas present for our boy in 2003.
Things we learn from dogs:
- Unconditional love
- Nothing lasts forever
Later in life, Lightning lost most of the use of his back legs. He had to drag them a little when he tried to walk. He couldn’t jump anymore and couldn’t go up or down the stairs but he never complained about that.
He also lost his eyesight. Never complained about that either. He never got sad or frustrated when he occasionally walked into a wall or a piece of furniture. He had a good mental map of the house and didn’t need or want help to get around.
Last year, the vet thought he might have a leaky heart valve but that turned out not to be the case. His heart was invincible all the way.
The only thing he ever got sad about was toward the end, he didn’t like to be alone. He whimpered if I was in the house and he couldn’t be wherever I was. He couldn’t be fooled on this. He could smell when I was anywhere in the house.
My wife and I were with him all the way to the end. I didn’t cry until afterwards.
Last meal: In-N-Out cheeseburger and a pup cup from Starbucks.
He would probably like to be remembered like this . . . a video of a family trip to the beach when we were all more or less in our prime . . .
RIP Lightning