Morton came into my life on Valentine’s Day 2001. My son had seen a sign at a pet food store “FREE TO A GOOD HOME.” We believe I was his 4th owner, and that he was around 2 years old. I don’t think he had been played with, because he had no play skills. He had been abused, because the Vet found 3 BB’s in his chest during a Xray. And he was very skinny.
We had a rocky relationship. He would eat EVERYTHING that wasn’t nailed down; socks, $40, dish cloths, pictures, bills, paper towels, and dinner on the stove. He was always in major trouble over these things, AND he took exception to the correction! BUT he was an 85 lb. (you can tell he didn’t starve at my house) lap dog. He loved to curl up as close as he could to me on the couch while I watched T.V. or knitted and crowded me in bed. He loved company, and would sometimes lay his head on their laps, hoping to be petted. When I mowed the backyard, he would follow me every step of the way until I was done. He loved rolling in the grass, and sleeping on his back. He loved his family, and his buddy, Capone. They would always greet me at the top of the stairs wagging their tails, barking estatically, and racing each other down to crowd me on the way back up. Although he was such a larger-than-life animal, his licks amazed me, because they were so gentle and soft.
Then in March of 2010, he started limping. I thought it was just a sprain, but the vet diagnosed it as bone cancer in his right leg just below the shoulder. They gave him 1-3 months if I didn’t pursue treatment, which they couldn’t guarantee would work. I decided to keep him as comfortable as I could, and love him as best as I could. God blessed me with 16 months to show him every day, and in every way I could, that I loved him. He did very well, actually, until the last few months, when he started to go downhill fast. The DECISION was taken out of my hands when his bladder finally failed, and I had to let him go on July 17, 2011.
Morton, I miss you so much!!! I miss mowing the yard with you, petting your head while you slept, and the comfort of having you near. It broke my heart, when you took your last breath, and Dr. Andrew Boal quietly said, “His heart has stopped. He has died.” Even though we had our ups and downs, I hope you felt you had found that “GOOD HOME.”
I’ll always love you, Morton. Ilene (Mom)