My Rambo in paradise

As a child, you had a sad life. Some youngsters adopted you, but you were treated like a pure animal, tied to the radiator pipe and fed only cat food and dry bread. Worse than prison.

I couldn't stand it and came home with you. What a change of life for you, with healthy food, a chair to rest in and as much petting as you wanted.

Your friends Chouchou and Tonton weren't there yet, but 3 other fairly old companions, Milou the wire-haired Fox, Tonton and Bijou, 2 cross-breeds. They adopted you straight away and, despite their respectable age, tried to follow you everywhere. Alas, you soon found yourself alone, your companions had died out and you were sad to be alone. Then along came your new pals, your lifelong friends, Chouchou and le petit blanc.

I'm convinced, seeing all the love I received from you, that I was able to make you happy.

Then a girl joined us, Canaille. What a flirt you were! And then, one day you were left unattended and mademoiselle turned on the charm. Monsieur got a taste of carnal pleasures, and those beautiful babies who look so much like you came into the world.

And together we continued to love each other, savoring every moment of happiness. Sadly, your Chouchou left you too soon, in a stupid accident. I know you missed this little crollé who was always in your company, often running around the yard, looking in all the places you could, but in vain.

And this year, it was Tonton's turn to abandon you. You were already ill, but I'm sure this was the final shock for you. Since the end of March, you'd never been the same. You would often lie in your basket and think, wondering why your brothers had left you without telling you. Of course, your advanced age didn't help matters.

You had trouble going upstairs to sleep, so every night I'd prop you up and you'd climb the stairs like a big boy. You still knew how to get downstairs on your own, and you were careful. And then, as the weeks went by, you got a bit old, your hind legs couldn't support you normally, you'd walk a few metres and have to sit down.

You ate less and less, sometimes it was hard for you to hold back, and you were very sad to see the situation.

I often said to myself that I'd have to decide to give you back your freedom, but you didn't seem to suffer, never complaining and always willing to go for a little walk in the yard at your leisure.

But over the last few days, you've really become an old dog, spending the day in your basket, nibbling a few kibbles in the evening and going back to sleep. I wished you'd gone to sleep and never woken up again, so I wouldn't have to make that final decision.

Every morning, you'd still give me your little party when I got up, and it made me sick to see you in such a state, even if you weren't in pain, it was no longer a life for you.

So, on Monday December 6, I decided to send you to that blue cloud, with Chouchou and Tonton, because I couldn't bear to see you sick and risk making you suffer.

The vet came and after examining you said you were an exception, 16 years old was more than average for a dog of your size. He said I was making a wise decision, as you were in danger of starting to suffer in the short term, as the muscles in your buttocks were almost unresponsive.

You fell asleep peacefully, happy to have lived 16 years of happiness.

Now you're next to your Chouchou and your Tonton, in doggie heaven. The three of you are together again, just like old times.

You too have your place in this secret corner of my garden, just like your brothers, and I'll be coming to say hello to you every day with an emotional thought, my old chap...

There's still your little wife Canaille and your 3 children, but I'll never forget you either, 16 years of my life closing in the blink of an eye.

I know, you'll tell me that in a while... but I loved this little furry fellow so much, I have his photo in front of my computer and it seems to me that he's saying to me :

It's not your fault Francis, I'm crying too, where I am, to be separated from you, but our hearts remain united for life (the one you have left without me).

I beg you my friend, never forget me, you were my breath of life and if I could have a second life, it's with you that I'd spend it, I really had a happy life with you, alas much too short.

Farewell my lifelong friend, please don't cry, I'm no longer here to console you, so do me this favor, when you look at my photo, give me a smile... If you can...

Don't forget that I really loved you, keep hoping that one day, in heaven, we'll meet again and nothing will ever separate us again...