Odin
October 24, 2004 - October 24, 2013
Adopted: July 24, 2006

After spending 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit of the VEC, I said good-bye to my little Odin on his 9th birthday. A blood clot in the lung was not allowing him to breath on his own. He stared into my face, and listened to my voice as I read him the good wishes that people had sent. I told him some memories of the times we had spent together. Then I held him quietly, my cheek next to his chest, and felt his spirit depart.

I can still remember the night the call came in. It was a Friday night, I was tired and then the Pugalug Rescue phone rang. I was going to let it go to voice mail - but a greater force tugged on my to get up and answer the phone. Odin was scheduled to be euthanized that night but I told the vet tech that I would take him into rescue. I am ever thankful I answered.

One small action led to a universe of love and laughter. He came with some emotional, behvioural baggage that I worked hard to overcome. That positive training led to a bond such as I've never experienced.

Odin was the one who slept on my lap while watching TV or ready a book. It was his job, each night, to lie is paws on my chest and lick my face. And it was Odin's job to sound the "woo woo" when it was time for a cookie. All of those magical moments are gone - but the magic remains with me.

Contemplating our mortality is not something that we do in our society. Yet, it is events such as the passing of our animal companions, that the idea of death, confronts us to be examined. Our decisions in life take on new meaning when we realize our own mortality.

Thank you, Odin, for helping me to understand that. Your were a clown at heart - leaving a trail of smiles and laughter over the years. You will be forever remembered.