Coty
I’ve always said that there is only one bad thing about having a dog –
the day you have to say goodbye. One week after Coty turned 9, he was
diagnosed with canine lymphoma. It was devastating. We tried
several treatments of chemotherapy, but his body was just too weak and
tired. On May 7, 2008, three weeks after he was diagnosed, we had to put
him down. It’s been a rough time trying to adjust to life without my
Coty. I am so thankful for all the photos and memories I have of him
and for all the support and love from friends and family who knew Coty and
loved him too.
The first time I met Coty it was love at first sight. He had
just turned one year old and had spent the first year of his life with a
work-friend of mine. She had a young child and a demanding job and did
not have the extra time, attention, and patience to give to Coty.
Deciding to adopt him was without a doubt the easiest decision of my life.
The next 8 years with Coty were wonderful! He was sweet and gentle,
but certainly had his moods too, from stubborn and boisterous to moody and
mellow. He was the most “human” dog I’ve ever known. He loved seeing
people and bunny rabbits on our walks. He loved watching their cute
bunny butts hopping away. He loved vacationing on Cape Cod with me and
my family. He loved American cheese and spaghetti. He loved my
parents’ Golden, Sandee. He loved taking up my whole bed while we were
sleeping. He loved “saving the rocks” from the ponds on Cape Cod and
bringing them safely to the shoreline. He loved my friend April and
loved helping her get over her fear of dogs. He loved smelling the
flowers in my mom’s gardens. He loved laying in the snow. He
loved running around the house, playing tag with me. He loved taking
long car trips. He loved giving me “five” and “speaking”. And he
even loved going to the vet’s office! He was everything I could have
ever asked for in a friend. We just simply “got” each other. We
were best buddies and he brought so much to my life.
The Saturday after Coty passed away we saw a bunny hopping around our front
yard. While I often see rabbits on walks through my neighborhood, I
have never seen one in my yard or on my street. I knew when I saw that
bunny that Coty was ok, wherever he was. We buried Coty’s remains in
one of my mom’s gardens, with a stone maker that reads, “Coty, Forever
Friend, Love Without End”. I think that pretty much says it all.
Rebecca B
