Remembering Maureen's "Billy"

Billie and his Toys

Not sure where to begin so I’ll start 10 years back.  A Bouvier we named Bill was dropped at our door step with his sister Taz by their druggie owners who were leaving on a vacation and just wanted to get rid of the last 2 pups remaining from a litter.  We placed Taz and Maureen kept Bill as we have a thing about placing unhealthy dogs.  And Bill was a genetic mess lanky and over sized with a bad heart.  Stubborn is not the proper word to describe him as over the years I have changed that assessment to “Strong willed” and “Devoted”.  Bill had many medical problems all pretty much genetic then throw in 2 ACL surgeries and major spine problems and we find ourselves in 2008. Bill was crippled in the rear but his strong will to continue and his devotion to Maureen kept him going. He would scoot 3 inches at a time to be with her and once in his wheels he would walk with her all over the property which was never an easy chore for him (he would even chase the cat , which in fact he did just last week). Bill was a hardship for Maureen as he would only respond to her attention and wishes. Whether it was getting into his wheels or moving around the family room he would always respond to her wishes and given the chance would find a way to be just a little closer to her. If it required crawling an inch at a time he would spend hours making the move to get there.  Each morning there was the ritual that was repeated 4 times a day. Once up Bill would scoot his way to the family room where Maureen would lift his rear legs up, place them in a set of stirrups and put him in his wheels fasten the yoke and head him out the door to potty.

Once outside she would express his bladder and make sure he was comfortable, this happened in all kinds of weather.  Then it was feeding time and then the trek back into the house where the clean bedding was piled so he would have a comfortable place to lie till noon where the process would be repeated again and then again at 5 and at bedtime. 

Bill ready to go to the rabbit show

I always felt sorry for Bill as he was not dealt the best of hands, but he seemed happy and content in his world.  After all he had Maureen and he loved her and she was always near.  When she would go to a rabbit show which required a long day or an overnight we would pack up Bill and his wheels and cart him off with us.  At the show we would always sneak away to relieve Bill as Maureen did not want to embarrass him and make him a spectacle.  Bill loved company and people and especially kids. He loved chasing the cats and small dogs.  Even though he was crippled he was respected by his peers in the house and everyone respected his space.  Over the years we probably gave him many reasons to bite as we pushed, prodded, probed and forced pills, gave needles and fed him fluids.  He never once seemed irritated; it was like he knew Maureen was trying to help.  Baths were a problem as he was totally uncooperative as he hated them liked the attention but hated the soap and water.

And so now the final chapter, we left the kennel 20 minutes early last night, something we never do, to come home to find that the boy had gone on to the Rainbow Bridge.  We knew it would happen one day but just not this day and as always he did it his way, alone with just Laura and Roxie in the house.  Maureen was upset mostly because she was not with him.  But the truth be told there is no easy way to lose a loved one.  So today I got up knowing that the 3 year morning ritual was over.  Bill’s wheels are retired and we’ll be taking him to the Pines where he will be cremated, placed in a box and put with our other gone but not forgotten pets..

Once again an animal has taught me a lesson and with Bill there were many. To love and accept your family, to not give up or give in on those important things, to remain faithful, thankful and devoted to the end and to accept your fate and turn those lemons into lemonade.  Bill was cripples for 3 years and before that he was never comfortable running or even moving about the backyard with all his genetic short comings but he was happy in his world as long as Maureen was a part of it.  She was devoted to him and him to her.  And I sit and wonder if God is so good why he would deal such a lovely creature such a life of pain and agony. 

             I’ll miss you Bill I’ll miss the poop you left me in the morning, the jerk of your head to get me to pet you and that big head of yours on top of my feet on the ottoman trying to keep my toes warm.  I wish I could pet you one more time and thank you for being special.   

             To Maureen I want to say you were much loved and Bill appreciated everything you did for him.  He was devoted to you and you to him. Like him you are also a very special person.  I would just like you to remember that every time Bill came to you it was to be close to you and thank you for all you had done for him. He knew it.                                                                          

  So For Bill I will say:

            Maureen

           Thank you so much for everything, I love you

           your “Billy”

 You would think I would be good at this but it never gets easier.

Thanks for listening….