The time has come. I lost my Sweet Duncan Hines today. Somehow he got a VERY bad maggot infestation around his rear end. It was absolutely horrible. The Vet said we could try keeping him at the Emergency Vet over the weekend to give him IV fluids and observe him, but it was so bad that he wasn’t very confident that we could bring him around considering his age and everything else, so we let him go. The Vet Tech that was helping us said it wasn’t my fault, but I’m still feeling guilt ridden that I should have noticed the problem sooner or done something different to get him to let me groom him. Then I would have been more likely to have… anyway.
Duncan was suffering so much that he was not even fighting being touched and worked on. He just laid there. No jerking or jumping away or snapping when someone tried to move his body or anything-totally not himself. The upside I guess, is that I was able to shower kisses on his little face and nose as he left, and hug him just like I always wanted to do after he was gone. Well, not just like I wanted, but I got to wrap my arms around him just the same.
While I am very sad, this is tempered with joy as well. I told Duncan when I let him go that I was so proud of him and how much he had grown. He came so very far, and I am so overjoyed that he grew from the cowering trembling Sheltie I met at Petco to the happy dog you’ve seen in the pictures here. I am so pleased that he went from turning his back on me when I petted him, to seeking it out and asking to be petted. I am so happy that he could learn to enjoy that.
Winning Duncan Over will continue. In time, I would love to begin fostering Shelties who need help like my Duncan did and try and rehabilitate them so they are more likely to find a new home. I will chronicle their stories here just like Duncan Hines’ and Little Debbie’s.
I’m getting married a week from tomorrow and my new husband and I need to get into a bigger home. Hopefully then I can join the fosters and rescuers of the Kansas City Sheltie Rescue, and Duncan’s Legacy will continue.
Tatha, I am so sorry that you lost Duncan, but very proud of the life you gave him. With you he finally had the sort of life dogs should have, being loved and cared for. I had a dog once with a maggot infestation, and while I caught it in time, it was a memorable and horrible experience that I sure would not want anyone to experience.I wish you and Leighton the best in your up-coming wedding, much love and happiness. I love that you are looking to the future with hope for helping more dogs like Duncan and Debbie. You are the best!I pray that God comforts your aching heart so that you can move forward in love with your new husband and new future.