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A best friend is someone close to you.
A best friend is someone you trust – someone who has been there for you through thick and thin.
A best friend makes your problems their problems.
A best friend means everything to you.
I lost my best friend recently — my 3-year-old best friend.
The call came in on a Tuesday afternoon that my beautiful bird dog, Gauge, was having trouble walking and standing up, even though he had been fine the day before. An hour later, we were at the Plains Animal Hospital, the best and worst place in the world, going through results from the doctor’s findings.
“Herniated disc,” she said.
That’s when I knew. I knew my best friend wouldn’t be with us much longer. This is the second dog my family and I have had who has herniated a disc. The problem is most common in bird dogs like beagles, which Gauge was part. He was also part pointer, lab and just about every other mix. He was a mutt, and I loved him for that.
We went through all the processes to make sure our buddy was as comfortable as possible before we made a decision. I kept telling him we were sorry, but there wasn’t much we could do. Gauge could have had surgery, the doctor said, with about a 50 percent success rate but he would never be the same. Gauge needed to be the same.
This dog was something like you’ve never seen before. When he wasn’t eating or sleeping, he was running – at the speed of light. I’ve seen him catch birds, climb trees and leap off 12-foot high porches, which most likely caused the disc issue. Have you ever seen those dog shows on ESPN where the dogs leap off docks? That was Gauge.
In the end, he wouldn’t be able to sit still. Surgery and therapy just weren’t an option.
We did what we had to do. We did the right thing. I keep telling myself this, and sometime within the next week or so, maybe I’ll believe it.
What I saw at the Northeast Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital, however, was nothing short of amazing. Having a love and passion for animals must be a prerequisite to work at such a place. On the downside, however, the nurses and doctors have to deal with what my family went through on a regular basis. And they do it in the most professional way possible.
I don’t remember the doctor’s name, but I know she was wearing New York Mets socks. Either way, the compassion and love everyone showed for our young dog was mind-blowing. The workers’ ability to separate themselves from the situation was something I’ll never forget.
I would like to personally thank everyone at that particular animal hospital who saw my buddy Gauge and took care of him. I know Gauge appreciated the way he was treated and the way his humans were treated.
Gauge was a Facebook dog. I spotted a friend on Facebook who was looking for a new home for this beautiful black puppy, and he was free. I remember seeing Gauge for the first time. I took him home the first day we met. I was alone when I picked him up but not before I stopped at Dollar General to pick up a leash and collar. I dealt with the consequences from my parents for a day or two because I hadn’t told them of my plans ahead of time They too, however, fell madly in love with Gauge within the next 48 hours.
Somewhere, that black ball of joy is running around, literally climbing trees, and shedding an abundant amount of black fur all over heaven. My hope is he finds his old friends and keeps an eye on us through the rest of our days.
We’ll miss you, Gauge — you’ll always have a special place in my heart. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion, from the first time I picked you up to the last time I rubbed your belly.
