Cocoa born 1988 Aug, died 2005 Aug 04 1045
Cocoa was a bundle of goodness wrapped up to look like a dog.
Cocoa, te amo. Te semper amabo.
Dum spiro, te in recordatione amante tenebo.
Dulcissima puellula mea, in pace requiescas.
(Translation below.)
2005-Aug-05 Friday
Cocoa's health deteriorated quite a bit over her last year and
she underwent a dramatic change in behavior.
She developed arthritis in her hips and could not jump onto the
bed for well over the last year.
For the last month or so, she could not jump onto the sofa and
I had to carry her outside to do her duty because she could
not negotiate the two stairs between the kitchen and garage.
I made an appointment on Monday, August 1st, to have her put
down Thursday, Aug 4th, but was not sure that I could go
through with it.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, I noticed that she was no longer able
to stand for more than a few seconds on her hind legs.
So, yesterday I did have her put down at a local veterinary
hospital.
It was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
I was with her the entire time.
I had been led to believe that the procedure would be rather
painless, but that was not the case.
The doctor tried to inject the barbituate into her right rear
leg, but could not find a vein.
The procedure obviously caused Cocoa a great deal of pain.
This wonderful dog who loved everyone and never bit anyone in
her entire life
was now fighting against the pain and attempting to escape
her perceived oppressors.
I asked the doctor to give Cocoa something to calm her.
She gave her an injection of a sedative into the scruff of her
neck, then, without waiting, tried to find a vein in the
same leg again, but
could not and Cocoa was still in a lot of pain.
I asked the doctor to wait a while for the sedative to have
more time to work.
After a few minutes, Cocoa did relax somewhat and the doctor
found a vein in her right front leg and Cocoa no longer
fought the procedure.
During this time, I spoke to Cocoa in Latin telling her of my
love for her.
When the syringe emptied, Cocoa immediately went limp and I
cried uncontrollably for a very long time.
Afterwards, I went home where I cried off and on for the rest
of the day.
Cocoa was two years old when I found her at the SPCA in
Spokane WA (it was love at first sight!) and she remained
my constant companion and best friend for fifteen years.
Now, my home seems very empty and lonely without her.
2005-Aug-06 Saturday
I had her remains cremated and her ashes placed in a small, wooden
box urn of the same color as her hair with paw prints on top.
When I die, I want my remains cremated and Cocoa's ashes mixed
with mine.
In the meantime, I shall keep her urn close to me so that I may
touch and kiss it often.
I had a plaque made for her urn with this inscription:
COCOA
1988 - 2005
Dulcissima pullula mea, te semper amabo.
In pace requiescas.
2005-Sep-02 Friday
Her picture above is the wallpaper on my laptop computer.
I see it often and am sad because I miss her so very much.
Translation of Latin under picture:
Cocoa, I love you. I shall always love you.
While I breathe, I shall hold you in loving remembrance.
My very sweet little girl, may you rest in peace.