“On September 3, 2009 I received a call that no one who is the custodian of a pet wants to receive. The caller said, “ you need to come home. "Andy is in multiple system failure; his kidneys and liver have shut down.” I drove home as calmly as possible and had the opportunity to share the last 3 hours of his precious life with him, in our home, on his favorite sofa. He had entered into that quiet place that some say animals go when they sense that death is imminent. Andy knew; he appeared as a sweet angel waiting for me to arrive and hold him before he departed our world.
The vet where he had spent the day provided us with Dr. Annie Forslund’s name and number because she performs home euthanasia. I placed the call, hardly able to speak. Dr. Annie responded much quicker than my heart was ready to handle; it seemed like she arrived in seconds. She entered our home with such sweetness and compassion. Her aura was unlike someone who was there to take life, but someone who was there to care for all of us. Her gently touch, her kind voice and soft deer like eyes comforted me more than my simple words can express. She held my heart in her hands for that moment in time. She did not disappoint me. Her loving ways reassured me that Andy's passing was pain free and gentle as a breeze.
Annie Forslund today remains a respected friend. Her follow-up services continue to validate that Andy was of value and contributed something to this world and more directly, to me. He was my very precious soul mate and I miss him dearly. I will remain forever grateful to Dr. Forslund for her professionalism, sweetness and gentleness of spirit.
By Carol Janse October 23, 2009