LEO'S DEPARTURE

28/08/09

What a day it was.

Got home later from lesson to find Leo all sprawled over on the floor near the gate.
He was sitting in his favorite position whenever he feels too warm.
But 28 august was a rather cool night.

Leo looked at me, panting as usual ever since a few days ago.
But this time, it's louder than usual.

Washed up, was at the laptop when I heard Leo's collar bell ringing.
He had collapsed on his butt while trying to get up.

I walked over to him and said, "Come, good boy", supporting the back of hind legs so that he could walk to wherever he wanted to be.

Leo's legs felt like jelly.
It felt as though he had lost all his muscles all at once.
I tried to lower my hands a few times to see if he could stand on his own but his butt lowered whenever I did.
There was no strength, he was walking purely on his front legs and my support from the back.

He strolled towards the gate.
Then near the alter.
Then to the path leading to our living room,

That's the path he always sat at to wait for us home.

He stopped and wobbled, just like a toddler who just learned walking before collapsing butts down.
His panting was slow and loud.

I stroked him, hoping to ease his pain when I saw him tilt to the side to gasp in more air.
I whispered to him before helping him to his side, stroking him.

Mum came over and whispered, "Leo, good boy, Mummy Papa we all love you. Just go ok?"

Leo was heaving air out more than he was taking in.
He looked upset and I kissed him by the ear and said, "Leo, good boy, Jiejie loves you, good boy" before kissing him again.

I felt his chest go slowly up and down with a few subsequent quick ones following behind.
I stroked him slowly, touching his eyes and cheeks now and then.

Then he stopped.

Leo's chest stopped moving.
I could feel his heartbeat go slower and weaker


and slower,

it's gone.


Leo, he looked peaceful.
He looks just like how he looked like all the time,
just quieter.

We're so proud of you, Leo!

You fought till the end!
You did not wait for time to come,
You were so full of energy, at the end still barking for food just like all the time.
You gave your best to life,
You never succumbed.
You got up to move around just to breathe better despite it hurting so much.
Your life, so full of pride ended with pride.

We're so proud of you and job well done, Leo!

I would say, it was a really beautiful and peaceful departure.

28/08/09

Have fun while waiting for us, Leo!
We shall meet in paradise.

PS: We love you