Monday, June 8, 2009...

Rupe was 'put to sleep' around 3:20 this afternoon. He had not eaten anything since Friday, June 6, 2009. I could tell that he was constipated and was not feeling good. I talked to Dr. Scott late Saturday afternoon. I thought Rupe was getting some better Sunday morning because he was drinking some. But...still not eating or using bathroom. I was going to call Neta Monday morning to see if she would take us to the vets... But Peggy called Monday morning and said she would come take us. Rupe pee'd some when we got in the vet's... Dr. Wayne was showing us the big knot on Rupe's back end---I had not even seen it. I really thought it was because he was not eating and was losing weight. He called Dr. Scott in and they said Rupe could have surgery or take medicine, but they did not recommend either of them because of his age and because tumor was so big. They both said that 'if he were theirs, they would put him to sleep---they did not think it would help him---just prolong his life a little. I did not want Rupe to hurt any more than he had to. To me, that is one thing we can do for our pets that I wish could be done for us humans---I wish it could be done for me when it comes my 'time'. I thought I was going to stay with Rupe while they put him to sleep, but Peggy thought I shouldn't---and I probably would not have been able to stand it. I first thought I would bury Rupe under the apple tree beside Jinx, Fritzi and Brandi...but it would have been so hard to get someone to bury him. So, they are going to cremate him at the vets. At first I told them I would not get his ashes...then last night I called Dr. Wayne and told him that if it wasn't too late, that I wanted his ashes. He called me this morning and said it was not too late, and that I could pick him up tomorrow (Wednesday). I told him that I would have to get someone to bring me and he said Rupe's ashes would be there when I came to get them.

Rupe was born in November 1994. I got him in August 1995. Thomasene had been telling me about Rupert...he belonged to Danny Joe and his wife's landlord---they lived in Fort Worth, TX. She wanted someone to take Rupert. Actually, he was tearing up a lot of her furniture! Danny thought I would want him, but I told Thomasene that I was not going to get another dog---I had had to have Brandi put to sleep. One Saturday I was going out to the office to do some work. Thomasene called me and wanted to know if I could come by her mother's before I went to the office. So...I did---and there was Rupert. So my life with Rupert began. The woman had asked that his name be Rupert (can't remember why).

So...between August 1995 and June 8, 2009 was the time I had with Rupert. I will miss him so very, very much---but I am so Thankful for the time I had with him. I loved him so much and he loved me so much.