A Tribute To The Best Dog Ever

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Saturday evening I read "Jasper's Day" to Benjamin. It's a book about a dog named Jasper that has cancer and needs to be put down. They take a day and celebrate Jasper and do everything he would like to do, then the Dad takes him to the vets to be put to sleep. Benjamin and I did not make it through the book without sobbing. We then decided Sunday would be Sebastian Day. No begging from the table; we would feed him our food. He could go with us to the soccer games and just be with us all day. Sebastian's favorite thing has always been to just be with us. We took him to the soccer fields and everyone came over to see the cute puppy. We had to explain he is an old man; 16 + years old = 112 in dog years. Then Benjamin would blurt out "he's a good dog but tomorrow he is going to die". We would then have to explain what today was all about. It was a hard day. Sebastian was just so happy all day, because he was with us. Dan and I both discussed backing out of our appointment and keeping him alive longer but then we would remember he has been going potty in the house, his eyes are almost all glossed over and he hasn't been eating well. This has been the hardest decision we have ever made. It was a very rough day and I am sure there are more to come. Dan and I realized we got Sebastian about 5 months after we got married, the kids have never known anything different. I think about anyone that has ever been to our house knows and loved Sebastian. He was a good dog. As he was laying in Dan's arms this afternoon I told Dan I couldn't remember anything bad he had ever done (I mean I know there was like a $65 pair of new sneakers he chewed up years ago) but at that moment all I could think about was that none of that meant anything to me. Dan then reminded me of how Sebastian was a digger. I had totally forgot about that. We used to tease him he was trying to dig his way to China! The experience at the vets was, I guess the most pleasant, it could be. It probably didn't hurt that the vet is a friend of ours. It was quick and painless and then our first baby was gone. On the way home I asked Dan if Sebastian would tell the others in heaven he had a good life with us. Dan said he would, I said you sure he doesn't still blame us for bringing home three babies, a cat and a BIG chocolate lab to annoy him when we could have given all our love and attention to just him! When Dan got home he let Sadie smell and see Sebastian's collar (Emily wanted it). Sadie smelled it and went down in her kennel. Did she know what happened? It will be strange not hearing his tap dancing on the kitchen floor every morning or his growling at Sadie for trying to love him. Yes, life in the Hirning household will be different without our little friend. He was the best dog ever! We will miss you forever Sebastian!!