Some people like to think their pet's the best, a breed above more common types. Either out of pride for their animal companion, boost to their own egos or some combination they like to think they have the superlative one.
I never had to ponder it - it's all anyone has every said about the yellow lab I first met in the spring of '99. Strangers, friends, vets, passersby would repeat the praise so much had she been human, there's little chance she would have remained the sweet, humble pup she was for the last 11 years. Outside of the chewing period all Labradors are prone for until about nine months, this was a dog who seemed to think she was the breed's ambassador to the World.
I could go through the checklist, but you already know the list of accolades this canine was blessed with.
For those who don't know, Gretchen was diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks ago after a month of rather benign signs that seemed like just old age and perhaps some sort of digestive issue. There was some discussion of surgery, but there seemed to be some question whether she would survive it to then start an immunology study that is currently be conducted. She wasn't in any pain, so I put off euthanizing her until it seemed appropriate. Last weekend, we took her with us camping in Sequoia National Park and the altitude so affected her I thought I was going to have to take her in.
Yet, once back down, she improved so much she put herself in her favorite spot: sitting up between the seats of the Jeep. Although she spent most of the day laying or outright sleeping, until today she could get to her feet when needed (albeit sometimes with great effort). Even this morning, she would follow me around the place. But by late this afternoon her labored breathing was getting worse than up in the mountains.
We went to the Hollywood Bowl tonight and I knew there was a good chance I would come home to find her gone. I try to resist the urge to anthropomorphize, but considering how agitated she got a few times in the last week when she couldn't stay near me, I do think she waited until I returned from being away all day to give up the struggle. Whether by some sort of fauna-design or happenstance, even her end was generous: I didn't have to make the call to put her down and didn't have to witness the last moments. Or been subjected to trying to find a vet on a Friday night while she struggled with those final breaths.
I'll leave off with this exhibit in support of how great she was...
About a year or two after I got her, I went home for Christmas and decided not to take her. I left her with the family of a friend, Lewises, who lived in a house with a yard. They also had 2 dogs of their own. When Derek brings her back on my return, he tells me that she was a big hit. In fact, he's good-naturedly annoyed that there was some competition over who got to walk her while their own pets do not get this attention. They would even ask when I was going out of town so Gretchen could come visit again.
A couple of months ago, there was a wedding of a relative just few blocks from where I live. I was driving the bride & groom after to their hotel. When I saw how excited they got knowing Gretchen was nearby, I had my roommate drive her over. And while everyone else is doing post-wedding things, the assembled Lewis family is taking a group photo... around a yellow, block-headed Labrador retriever.
She was the best... and she will be very, very missed.
