Scruffy
Oct 27, 2005 ~ Jan 27, 2006

I want to dedicate this post to Scruffy... the puppy that I had to say goodbye to, even though I didn't want to. Scruffy showed up around the neighbourhood out of nowhere. She became best friends with Puppy instantly... they were always together... But our neighbours hated her. She was one of those puppies that got into every single trouble you could think of... Digging holes, chewing on shoes and slippers, bark at night... I guess we didn't mind that much, coz they are puppies. Then Puppy got really sick. We took her in, and Scruffy wouldn't leave. She camped out by our door. The neighbours started to hit her... they used sticks and slippers... I had to stop them every time.

Then I noticed that she was showing signs of K9 distemper too. With 3 dogs in the apartment already, I really don't think we could do anything any more. I tried looking for places but it wasn't working.

But Scruffy seemed fine after a couple of days. And with Puppy recovering, we thought she was going to make it too. Ian said maybe Scruffy didn't have distemper, but only kennel cough. We hoped for the best.

It rained for 3 days and Ian was sick at the same time. We didn't see Scruffy for a couple of days. When she showed up, her condition was so bad we couldn't believe it. She then disappeared again and we couldn't find her. Every time we look for her she was gone. Then that Thursday, we finally saw her. She was looking scruffier than ever. She had mucus coming out of her nose, blocking it so she couldn't breath. She had lung infection so I guess it was coming out of her lungs. She was so weak she could barely walk. We took her to the vet (he must thought that we were crazy!) and he said that it wasn't going to work probably... But we could still treat her. he gave her some shots and nutrient shots and we took her home. With all the dogs that just got their vaccines we couldn't really do anything but put her in the back. Scruffy had to stand the whole time since she was having so much trouble breathing. But then she was so weak that she fell a couple times. No one wanted to help, and we had to get Lucy from the Kennel, even though Puppy is still sick with distemper. We finally found out that the local stray animals' institution would take dogs and treat them. They said that if the condition gets too bad, they will have to put the dogs to sleep. I was fine with that, as long as someone would give Scruffy a chance. Although, I was worried that they will give us the final verdict... I cried, I struggled... But there was no choice.

We took Scruffy there... she was happy in the car, seemed like she was enjoying the car ride.

But the people there took one look at her, and said that she had to be put to sleep. That's not what I intended to do. I didn't want that to happen. I didn't. I promise, Scruffy.

And I didn't want to let you go without saying goodbye to you. They didn't give me a chance. They just took her in, and I had to sign the documents. I cried and cried. It shouldn't be like that.

That was January 27th, 2006. A day I will always remember for the rest of my life.

Scruffy, I am sorry. But I promise, I will always remember you. Promise.