Published 18 October 2019
We said goodbye to Bentley yesterday. Bentley came into Scott’s life as a companion for his first lab Molly.
Bentley would often squat to pee. Molly taught him and as a girl-dog that is how she did it.
Whenever we visited Scott and Gina in Kansas, Bentley got to sleep with us in the bed. It was a big deal to him. There was always room as he was grateful to be us and never crowded us.
He was the most earthy and uninhibited doggie I have ever known. He’d awake in the morning, roll on his back, do a scratchy ritual against the carpet, and make morning noises. He was so happy. He brought joy to our world.
He loved the pool. He would drop his football onto the first step and then retrieve it. He knew not to go swimming in the pool, so he got just enough in the pool to be satisfied.
Bentley also loved Gina. He would look at her with the most adoring eyes and peacefulness getting lost in her every move. He could also be a stinker to Gina. Bentley thought he was going to ride in the SUV as Gina ran errands one day. He did not get to go. Gina came home to a devoured loaf of bread and a shredded plastic wrapper.
He was staying with us recently. Bentley broke into our pantry. Somehow he figured out how to open the plastic container where we kept his bones. He ate a week’s worth taking the plastic bag into our office to enjoy his catch. He only took his bones. He left the ones we give to our doggies.
We spent some time with him at the Vet’s yesterday. I asked a Tech if we could give him some treats. She replied, “You can get him a hamburger!” We had never considered that.
Richard went to Clyde’s and got Bentley two orders of beef brisket. We tore the meat into smaller pieces and placed them in a plate for him. As his usual when he finished, he took his nose and turned the plate over.
Our friend, Angie Lovelady, shared that once we domesticated dogs we took away their right to decide how they cross the Rainbow Bridge. Despite the gut-wrenching pain of deciding the goodbye for our doggies, it is our responsibility to decide and remove their pain.
Bentley is out of pain. He can run in heaven on all four legs.
-VhS
Good people who love their dogs…I so enjoyed reading your blog about Bentley. He will be watching and waiting…
Vicky,
It is always hard to say goodbye. Sorry for your loss. I wish peace for you and good things to come.
Love,
Sara