Before there was a Cohen, there was a Sebastian. He was my family dog when I was still in high school. I was about 16 when my mom brought him home. I'm 29-years-old now and my Sebastian is still around.
I can remember riding Sebbie around in my car and taking him everywhere I went. I put his leash on him and took him to high school atletic events. I bought him kids meals. I dressed him up and took glamour shots. Sebastian had his own rain coat. He was such a good sport!
Sebbie was there for my high school graduation and when it was time to leave for college, I couldn't go without him. I passed up dorm life for an apartment that allowed pets. Sebastian used to lay on the back of the couch and look out the window waiting for me to come home. We would go for long walks. In fact, we would often walk with my sister, Jennifer, for so long that I would have to carry Sebastian back home.
Everything was about Sebastian back then. My boyfriend at that time is the one who taught Sebbie some manners so that he earned some freedom and no longer required a leash. Of course, that boyfriend is now my husband so he and Sebbie have a long history together.
Sebbie was still there when we graduated from college and he was around for my wedding. He was here to greet my son the day we brought him home from the hospital. Sebastian has been a part of every milestone in my life. Over the years, Sebastian has picked up many nicknames--Sebbie, Little Boo, Prince, Pookie, Bay-Bay, Buddy; I could go on and on.
Sebbie's age really started to show last year. A visit to a Clayton veternarian convinced us he had cancer or some other deadly disease. However, a second opinion from a Greenville clinic was much more promising and pointed to a dental problem as the source for his trouble. His condition seemed to improve, but he's supposed to return for a dental cleaning. This week, his condition worsened. He sometimes has trouble standing. He whimpers and stands with his back arched. I'm sure he's trying to alleviate incredible pain. I can't be in the same room with him now without crying. It just breaks my heart.
He has an appointment to return to Greenville on Tuesday. I'm praying he'll make it until Tuesday.
It's amazing how much I've cried and how much I've prayed over this dog. But, if you're a pet owner, you know how our pets become a part of our family. Sebastian's circumstances bear the same weight on my heart as would any other relative. I can't imagine another milestone in my life without him. Sebastian just fit so perfectly into my family. I have always believed God picked him out for us.
I have prayed for a long time that Cohen would know Sebastian, that he would be able to throw a ball for him to chase. The reality is that if Cohen does get to know Sebastian, he'll be in no shape to chase a ball.
I have also prayed that God will help me to heal from whatever happens with Sebastian. And, I thank him for every minute with him that I did have, for all the joy he added to my life and for a lifetime of fond memories.
Utimately, though, I pray that Sebastian has had a good life. I pray that he's been happy here and that he thinks I'm half as perfect as I think he is.
My head knows he won't be around forever, but I can't make my heart understand. His pain is my pain and right now, I have a very broken heart.
To my Little Boo, my Prince, my Buddy----Thank you. Thank you for the years of happiness you brought me. I love you and I hope I gave you the best life you could have.
1 comment:
Our cat got hit by a car in October, and after 2 days in the kitty hospital, we had to put her down. I was a wreck that week. I still cry when I see a picture of her. I wished that Taylor could have known her better. Watching a pet go is so hard. But Sebastian could not have had a better life.
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