Bellann Summer

My Christmas this year was a mixture of great happiness and deep sorrow. The Christmas lunch table included the whole family, plus a couple of people who would have been home alone. Instead, they were included in the fun of stealing small, silly presents from each other and eating baked potatoes, piled with everything under the sun.
Christmas night turned to the other side of the coin of life. My little dachshund, Norman, started struggling to breath. He had a soft pallet and always coughed quite a bit. Things grew worse and at 3:00 in the morning I call the vet, only to reach an answering machine. They did have an emergency number, which I called, only to reach another answering machine. No one called me back.
A half hour before the vet would open, we got ready and Mr. B started the truck. Outside with the windchill, it was 30 below zero with high winds. Before we could leave, Norman took a huge turn for the worse. With me talking to him and stoking his fur, he left this world.
I know he was old and with all fur-babies, this is expected eventually. But, my heart hurts and he has taken a piece of it with him. He was my little man. I adored him for over 13 years. I do take heart that he did die at home. He hated the vet and let them know it. He was a feisty little boy. He also wasn't alone. I lay on the floor with him and Mr. B was right there.
So, the tears flowed all day yesterday, and now and then today. Life will go on and we do have Cooper the golden retriever here, sticking to my side. He always knows when I'm upset.
But life will be a bit quieter without Norman telling me someone is at the door and bringing me toys to play an endless round of fetch. I told him as he left that when its my time, he should meet me at the gates of heaven. I hope he does.