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The Life Lessons of One Tiny but Mighty Dog
The loss of my beloved Romeo has left my heart broken, yes, but he will be an inspiration for the rest of my life
On July 31, ten or so brutal seconds were the last moments of my dog’s life, a life that was full of enthusiasm, contentment and unbridled enjoyment for nine years with us.
Romeo was so named because he loved women, and when I met him as a scrawny little ragamuffin my friend had rescued, I am pretty sure I actually swooned because I knew I had to have that sweet boy in my life. When we met, I had a dog-shaped hole in my heart, a hole blown open when my beloved beagle-basset Lenny passed, and as a lifelong dog lover, it was an uncomfortable, palpable void right at my sternum.
I was resigned to this sad, empty feeling, though, at least until our circumstances were different. My husband and I were caring for my mother, suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, and in addition to trying to manage this progressive, cruel disease, we were also raising our elementary aged son and self-employed. Before I met Romeo that July evening, I told myself that if we were to adopt again while my mother lived with us, this dog would have to be the perfect fit: easygoing, not too large, gentle, good-natured. Little did I know that this perfect bull’s-eye…
