Sweet Nell

   

    A friend of mine had a 15 year old dog named Nell, that within days of developing cancer was rapidly declining in health. Her organs started to fail and she resorted to hiding from people in her dog house. She had cancerous tumors and refused to eat for 3 days. The family cooked fresh hamburgers for Nell and she tried to eat some of it but they felt that it was more out of her attempt to please them than out of hunger. My friend tried to keep the sadness of impending death from her young and perceptive children. They loved their dog so much that they would draw pictures of her with crayons that proudly covered the refrigerator door.

    Nell was a basset hound with black and white splotches, more like clouds than spots, with long brown ears that along with her belly, barely made ground clearance. However, when her nose was to the ground her ears would then sweep the grass from side to side, as she was most likely on the scent of some mysterious invader. The children with outstretched arms would run in pursuit and were as happy to chase the fleeting leash as Nell was to be ensued by her stumbling and laughing tribe. The dog’s nose went from side to side as if detecting buried mines in the yard and her short legs struggled while shifting  back and forth in double time, trying to keep up a steady nose that was on a mission in the front.

    It was surprising to find out that the children handled it better than the parents who would hide their emotion and tears from their kids while explaining why it was time for Nell to go. They felt such anxiety while waiting for the wonderful and caring vet to make the house call that would humanely put an end to the suffering dog’s life. Nell lay in resignation, cradled safely in my friend's arms and was trembling with pain and weakness as the vet readied the syringe to inject the dose that would gently put the dog to sleep. Suddenly, sweet Nell arched her neck towards her owner’s face and mustered the strength to raise up and lick my friend's nose, symbolic of a kiss like she had done so many times before; as if she was saying a one last “thank you” for always being there and taking care of me.

    The story of Nell’s last moments and her final expression of “grace” is a powerful  image that I will never forget. It is a scene that shows the unworthiness of human articulation on my part. At the same time it defines the wonderful gift of life, love and family. 

  After the dog's death and upon reflection, this family realized that for a lifetime their dog unknowingly taught them how to live for the moment. She encapsulated all that is good and how to share unselfishly in what really matters, along with the true meaning of what "family" should really be about. You know it makes me think of the quote, "You don't know what you've got till it's gone"--and I wonder how it is that a dog named Nell, knew this all along?