Six years ago, today…my dear, sweet Nugget crossed the Rainbow Bridge after a short battle with K9 Leukemia. He had been diagnosed just three weeks earlier.
Above: Nugget and his brother Comanche just hours after we adopted them at 8-weeks old.
My husband and I knew there was nothing that could be done that wouldn’t put Nugget through tremendous discomfort and limit the quality of what little time he had left. So, I basically let my sweet boy have a “doggy bucket list”. We played more, went for more rides on the 4-wheeler, he got more treats, and soaked up more warm fires in his bed by the pot-bellied stove. He was even playing and rolling around in the grass just the evening before his passing.
The night before he passed, Nugget was sitting beside me and I could just sense that his time was drawing near. He leaned into me as if to give me a hug. Our favorite lilac bush was in full bloom and so I went and picked a flower from the bush and held it to Nugget’s nose. He closed his eyes and sniffed the beautiful purple lilac enjoying its wonderful fragrance.
The next morning, Nugget passed away peacefully laying under our beautiful lilac bush. I’m so very thankful that he went that way and we were not forced to make the heart wrenching decision that often comes near the end of a pet’s life.
Nugget and I had such an incredible bond…a connection I’ve never felt before with any other pet. It’s a connection that cannot be explained in words. And it’s one I will carry with me forever.
Paws Fur a Moment Photography 