As I posted a couple days ago, my dog Molly was hit by a car in McLean, Virginia this week. She has been in intensive care as we tried every possible medical intervention to save her, but this afternoon we had to put down Molly. My two older sons, Leslie, and I held Molly as she was euthanized. I want to thank so many on this blog for reaching out in the last couple of days and I thought you should know. The whole family is devastated. Molly was the center of gravity for our family and I cannot express the terrible sadness that I feel in losing Molly.
In the last 24-hours, the Hope Center found far greater internal injuries to Molly, who was unable to eat and today was unable to stand. She could not breathe on her own and we found punctures in organs that were previously missed due to the severe bruising internally. Her red blood count was falling and she needed oxygen to breathe. Finally, the staff at Hope called us this morning and said that additional surgeries or interventions would not likely succeed and that we were prolonging Molly’s pain.
I have had four dogs, but I must admit Molly was my favorite. We were inseparable and would take long walks every day together. Molly always had to be touching a family member — often putting her head on your foot or her paw on your lap. I called her my “prom queen” because she would pester you until you acknowledged that she was the most beautiful thing in the room . . . and she was. I have never seen a more perfect dog. She was loving, loyal, and friendly to everyone. There is such a hole left by her departure and it is difficult to image how we got along three years ago before she arrived.
Thanks again everyone for your kinds words and thoughts.
Jonathan
Sad for your loss.
Practicing love and kindness with animals says a lot about who we are as aspiring humans, I think.
May you and your family have a gentle adjustment, Professor, and many good memories.
We lost our 12 year-old chocolate lab—also a Molly—to cancer a few weeks ago. I know the sorrow you and the family are feeling. Condolences to you.
So sorry for you and your family’s loss. Though it would seem she had a most excellent life, until just recently. I had to kill (“euthanize” but that’s what it is,) my cat after 16 years several years ago. The worst thing ever, simultaneously right and good. So sad to this day but the totality of her life puts it in perspective, not lessening the sting but adding depth. They only live so long, and much longer than in the proverbial Wild. I still feel bad for leaving my childhood dog at the vet over a weekend after a severe illness to die alone in a cage on a Sunday. I will never do that to another animal ever, if I can help it.
However, if there is a heaven it will have dogs! It must. If not I’m not going. Like my favorite Twilight Zone. RIP Molly – Thanks for sharing her here.
(Twilight Zone, Season 3 Episode 19 from 1962, “The Hunt”) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipDvK1BElU
God Made a Dog: http://youtu.be/lJ7AfSO2fKs
Oh you beautiful girl! We will see you on the other side of the Bridge!
My heart goes out to you, professor, and your family.