Saturday, June 11, 2011

A Different Kind of Sleep

Sleep comes in different types - restless, deep, naps etc but this week a different use of the word was brought to the forefront when our dog Samson was put to "sleep". It sounds so peaceful but completely fails to relay the permanency of the situation. And while he was "just a dog" he was part of how our family operates. His big, goofy presence was a fixture of our little piece of farmland. But when one says he was put to sleep what one really means is that someone made that decision. Someone told the vet that it had to be done. Someone asked his faithful friend to obey one more command and lie down as the needle was inserted and that someone, as he had done thousands of times before, rubbed his ears. But this time, his life - just - ended.

And someone cried on the drive home struggling with the need to have it done, the loss of a friend, and committing the ultimate betrayal. And someone dug a grave and buried his now sleeping companion.

Rest well Samson, you are missed.