Peluso

Where do you even begin to pay tribute to a friend who loves you like only a dog could? If we were half as good as our four leggeds give us credit for, the world would certainly be an entirely different place! I was lucky enough to have Peluso enter my life quite by chance; he was given to me  as a young pup by a friend who knew my life was “missing something”. Boy, did Peluso fill my life with joy, adventure and love as the years passed. To know this guy was to love him, as I have learned from all the people who have expressed how much they loved him in the few short days since he has passed. Peluso, I suppose like most dogs, lived in the moment- and if that moment involved a belly rub, kisses, or a walk, why then, all the better! He loved everyone and everything- even going to the vet!  When you’re lucky enough to grow to be an old dog, you sure have a lot of stories to share and love to give; whether it was trying to explain away the mysterious skunk smell that occasionally followed us home from our evening walk, being the class clown at obedience class, or layin’ on a little love to one of his foster kittens  from the shelter- the boy knew how to live! After defying the odds in grand fashion after having been diagnosed with a large mass in his right lung, Peluso kept movin’  right along; still enjoying every moment of his daily AM walk- even giving a bunny or two a run for the money while he was at it. He truly loved the people who provided him ongoing care; looking forward to each acupuncture treatment and all the attention they would shower on him (the treats may have had something to do with that, too!) and was the perfect angel throughout his life and beyond.
As hard as it is to make the decision to help a best friend out of this life and into the next, I am truly grateful that Peluso and I were able to take that step on our terms, with the dignity and peace he so deserved. No one can tell you when the time is right, but if you truly look into your heart, it becomes clear that your beloved companions’ quality of life is the most important thing there is. It’s always tough on us as survivors, and in one sense, nobody wants to wield that kind of power over another living thing; especially one so dear. The way I chose to look at it was that I was privileged to have had such a wonderful companion through life, and the most respectful thing I could do for him was to care for him with comfort and dignity at home where he belonged.
We have an agreement to meet up later- being the great dog he always was, I’m counting on him to be there!
I love you, Peluso
Mom