Oliver

We brought Oliver home almost 17 years ago. A Christmas present for our then 6 year old son. Oliver was a red toy poodle of questionable parentage. He was friendly and athletic and so good with kids that he was the perfect companion for a gentle boy. He went everywhere with us and had many adventures and just as many close calls. We used to say he had 9 lives. He has been attacked by a wild pony. Had his ear pierced by an angry raccoon. Fallen over the bank and caught in a tree. He has driven the motor home, ridden on horses and motorcycles all the while looking stylish in his fancy red coat.
It is hard to remember that Oliver because in the last few years he hasn't looked so good. Too fragile to keep well groomed he looked like a little sheepdog. His hearing was bad, he couldn't see much and had accidents all over the house and was reduced to wearing a diaper. Every time I thought it was time to put him down he would rally and show a glimpse of his former self putting off the inevitable for a little while longer. What a hard decision to end a life. But in the end we took him in and said good bye. As hard as it was I wasn't really that sad. This dog had never known a day of want or suffering. He was the cherished companion of a family that treated him like a king. We all should be so lucky to have a life like that.
God Speed Oliver