It was five years ago today, June 19, 2012, that we said good bye to Oscar. He had been our loyal companion, best friend and family member for 14 years.
When I stopped by the shelter with my son and daughter on July 1, 1998, to look at the dogs, we had no intention of adopting one. I guess Oscar had other ideas though, because the next thing we knew he was in our car on his way home with us. It didn’t take us long to realize how lucky we were that he chose us to be his family.
Oscar was not our first dog, but he was the one my kids grew up with. He joined us when they were in elementary and middle school and saw them into adulthood. They helped to care for him throughout his life and into his golden years when his health began to fail him. I credit this experience as a major factor in shaping them into the kind, caring and compassionate individuals they are today.
When I stopped by the shelter with my son and daughter on July 1, 1998, to look at the dogs, we had no intention of adopting one. I guess Oscar had other ideas though, because the next thing we knew he was in our car on his way home with us. It didn’t take us long to realize how lucky we were that he chose us to be his family.
Oscar was not our first dog, but he was the one my kids grew up with. He joined us when they were in elementary and middle school and saw them into adulthood. They helped to care for him throughout his life and into his golden years when his health began to fail him. I credit this experience as a major factor in shaping them into the kind, caring and compassionate individuals they are today.
For the last two years of his life, Oscar was unable to walk on his own but despite his physical challenges, his gentle spirit and loving heart never changed. When a scared, previously abused and unwanted shelter dog named Mickey joined our family in February, 2011, Oscar welcomed him, befriended him and let him know that everything was going to be okay. Mickey was fearful of just about everyone and everything but he trusted Oscar and Oscar never let him down.
Oscar never complained or felt sorry for himself. He resisted using his “wheels” for as long as he could, as if to say “I can still do this,” until he couldn’t any more. But he accepted his situation and made the best of it. We learned so many lessons from Oscar. He taught us about bravery, courage in the face of adversity, appreciation for all the little joys life has to offer and what it means to absolutely love unconditionally.
He was honestly the best dog any family could ask for so understandably, one of the hardest decisions we ever had to make or will ever have to make was to let him go with dignity. However, I do believe that he left this world at peace, knowing he was loved by every person who had the privilege of knowing him.
Oscar, please know we will never forget you – we remember you with love, today and every day. We miss you always. It was truly an honor to have had you as our dog.
He was honestly the best dog any family could ask for so understandably, one of the hardest decisions we ever had to make or will ever have to make was to let him go with dignity. However, I do believe that he left this world at peace, knowing he was loved by every person who had the privilege of knowing him.
Oscar, please know we will never forget you – we remember you with love, today and every day. We miss you always. It was truly an honor to have had you as our dog.
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