itch.io

My golden retriever had kidney issues since he was a baby, but no one really realized how bad they were until he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease when he was only seven. Every time we had the vet give us updated vitals they were increasingly worse and we saw how weak he really was. The hand-feeding part really resonated with me because I remember sitting on the ground and begging him to eat simple soft foods so he could gain some strength back. I think it finally hit me that he wouldn't make it when the only way for him to have the strength to walk was to have IV fluids. This was all about a month after my grandma died so his eventual loss numbed me more than I already was. He was an English cream golden retriever so he had fluffy white fur, and he was the most gentle dog I'd ever met in my life, so full of love for everyone he met. Almost a year and a half later we still keep his kennel, his plushie toys, his collar, and his bed in our garage. My sister says we should get rid of his bed since that's where he died but I'm not sure if I can do it just yet. He will always be my baby.