Learning to Say Goodbye

I've decided that the crappy part of life is that it ends way too soon. 

We lost our precious dog, Betty last weekend.  She was our first pet, before our children, before having a house, before having real jobs.  She was truly a part of our family.

Betty was a most interesting dog.  She resembled a dingo, funny looking girl, with really big ears.  In fact, we even called her RBE sometimes.  We first met Betty at Petsmart when they were doing a Love a Pet adoption event.  Betty had been brought in with a rope around her neck; the employees thought she was a junk yard dog.  She ran over and peed on my foot and right then I knew I had to have her.  We brought her home and she ran around our small apartment like a mad dog.  She would pee on the floor every time we came home and tore up the carpet during thunderstorms. 

As Betty grew older, we all learned so much.  Betty learned to go pee only outside and we learned how to replace carpet.  She never did grow out of her fear of thunderstorms, although once her hearing went out, she stopped tearing up the carpet.

Betty turned out to be such a great dog.  She loved back packing and would swim in a lake for hours.  She once lead us right to the camp on a rainy night in a forest so dark, you could barely see your hand in front of you.

When we brought home our children, she loved them immediately.  She was very protective of them and was so patient as they climbed all over her and pulled her tail.  She scared the bad guys away and helped us to feel safe.

Six years ago, we were told that Betty had Cushings and had only six months to live.  Those vets didn't know Betty very well.  She lived those six years with a happiness, energy and love for life that only a dog can have.

When we brought home our puggle, Miley, four years ago, Betty accepted her as her own.  She cared for her and loved her.  They were best buds.  Miley is so lonely without her momma dog to care for her.

The last few months of Betty's life were difficult.  She would watch the other dogs swim at the lake, longing to be able to join them, but just not sure enough of herself to do it.  She had a hard time walking on the laminate floor and sometimes her legs would slide out from beneath her and she would get stuck.  She would only eat her dinner if we mixed it with chicken broth or some other yummy treat.  She had gone deaf and blind.  Although her death has been hard, I know she is out of pain and is running around on Rainbow Bridge.

Betty lived a much longer life than we ever thought.  Those extra years were a gift to us.  She was a great dog and she will always be a part of our family.

It's Always the Good Ones

I have met so many wonderful children in my life.  That's one of the benefits of being a teacher.  You meet these amazing little people and you know that someday they will grow up into amazing big people.  I know that these little people will make a difference in the world, some of them more than others.  One in particular, has already made a difference in my world.

I went to a fundraiser tonight for a little boy I had in my class in first grade.  This year stands out to me because I had my daughter in my class this year.  It was an amazing year.  I met one of my good friends that year as we team taught and learned so much from each other.  We had 36 little people in our room.  Some of them made us laugh, some of them made us cry and some of them made us want to quit our jobs!

I'll never forget one little guy.  I'll call him Fred.  Fred was such a little bugger!  He would get angry at us and hide his head in the cubbies or crawl under the desk so we couldn't get to him.  Fred had a tough life.  His parents were getting divorced and there was a lot of heartache in this six year old little boy.  Fred had to catch the bus at 7:20, but school didn't start until 9:00, so he was often hungry way before lunch.  I always bought string cheese to keep in the refrigerator and when Fred started getting cranky, I'd give him a piece.  It seemed to help him a lot.

Fred left our school toward the end of the year, but he was back the following year.  I'll never forget those dimples when he smiled.  He would always greet me with a big smile and hug in the hallway.  He moved schools again during this school year.  He was in fifth grade.

A couple of weeks ago, we got a flier emailed to us for a fundraiser for Fred.  He has a brain tumor.  I found out through teachers at his current school that the tumor was found when he started having seizures.  I couldn't believe that this sweet boy was so sick.  I knew I had to go and see Fred at this event.

I was so happy when I saw Fred.  He looked up at me and another teacher from our school and smiled such a big smile.  He said, "I was wondering if you would come!"  I told him I wouldn't miss this night because I love him so much.  He didn't look sick.  Other than a new pair of glasses, he looked like the same little boy I had in first grade.  I hugged Fred so tight.  I sure do miss seeing that face around school.

I don't know how sick Fred really is.  I know that he has a tumor in his brain that was causing seizures.  I believe the seizures are under control thanks to the medication he is taking.  I understand that he will be having surgery soon to try to remove the tumor.  I want him to be the healthy, happy ten year old boy that he deserves to be.

I can't explain why I love Fred so much.  I tend to like the kids who are little stinkers in class, but truly have the kindest hearts you can imagine.  I will never forget that little boy who hid his head in the cubbies and ate the string cheese out of my fridge.

I hope beyond hope that Fred is going to be ok.  He will always hold a special place in my heart.