I discovered Frieda at the pound. She’d been found in a rough part of town, starving and mangy. She looked like a Beagle with German Shepherd fur. She sounds cute. She wasn’t. She looked hopeful. And sweet. And gentle. “Please take me”, she seemed to say. “If not now, when?”
Turns out Frieda was neither gentle nor especially sweet. However, she LOVED me. I’d rescued her and she was very grateful. When I’d get into bed, she’d materialize out of nowhere and lick me until I begged her to stop. Whenever anyone – for instance, my mother – would approach me to, say, hug me, Frieda would attack, anxious to protect me. Once, someone walked their pug past our house. Frieda jumped out the window – from the 2nd story – to save us. At 17 (!), time caught up. Her vision went, then her hearing. She stopped walking. Then eating. If not now…
Through many tears, my wife and kids said goodbye, gave Frieda hugs and kisses, and headed to work and school. Frieda deserved a last meal. But not lousy dog food. I found Spaghetti Alfredo, brought home from some restaurant. If not now, when? It was cold and congealed. I put it in her dish, and carried her to it. Nothing. Until she smelled…something. Slowly, painfully, she tried a taste. Actually, she ate all of it. I gave her more. She gobbled it down – and stood up, for the first time in weeks, ready for thirds. I called the vet. “I don’t know when, “ I said, “But not now.” Was Frieda soon running down the street triumphantly, ears flapping in the breeze? Not exactly. But she bought herself three weeks, on a happy diet of mac and cheese.
Then, finally, she was done. Having enjoyed her encore, she said farewell in her time, on her terms. We said goodbye again, and I brought her to the vet where she went to sleep for good, as she snuggled in my arms.
David Levinson is the Founder and Executive Director of Big Sunday www.bigsunday.org
For Every Jewel There is a Question:
Has a pet ever taught you a lesson you’ll never forget?
