Sweet Shar Pei passed away sometime in the night last night. She stopped eating her food 2 days ago, and I had a feeling it was going to happen soon. We had been preparing all summer for the fact that she wouldn't make it another winter, but never felt right about taking her in to the vet to be put down. This was especially hard for Stephen, and I am so glad she went on her own, because he wouldn't have survived taking her in.
Stephen got Shra Pei a month before he turned 12. He said he was in a very depressed place and that is why his parents let him get her. He wanted her brother in the beginning, but prayed over it and was told to pick her. That was the best thing for him. She was by his side for 15 years. Waiting for him while he was on his mission, and supporting him through the most trying times in his life. Honestly, whoever said that Dog is Man's best friend, was really inspired, because I don't know of a closer relationship.
With her not eating for 2 days, the kids and I were gone somewhere and he was able to spend about 20 minutes with her, loving her and thanking her for everything. He gave her permission to leave, telling her it was ok and that he would be ok. I honestly believe that is the only reason she was able to go, she needed to know he would be ok. And so she went that night. He said he had a feeling she would go around the time his first child was going to be born, which is only a little over a month away.
When he went to leave for work, he called her like to normal to say goodbye and she never came. He saw Kimber sitting next to her, and when he noticed them Kimber ran away. He walked over to her and checked on her and figured she passed as she was laying down to sleep that night. All night I had been dreading the morning because I had a feeling it was going to happen and I did not want to be the one to find her, and need to call him at work. When he walked into the bedroom after he had already told me goodbye for the day, he didn't even have to say anything.
He took a half day off work, and we found a special spot in the back yard, up on a hill so she could watch over our family and property, or as we called it, Her Queendom :)
Pets, to us, are family. They hold a dear place in our hearts and are just as important to us as other family members. These things are extremely difficult to us, losing a loved one. I am SO grateful to know that not only do we get to be with our family forever, through God's plan, but our animals will be there with us also.
