Monday, February 1, 2010

A Dog with Two Names


Today Joan and myself took the decision to end our dog's life. Although this was a sad decision, it was kindness to the dog to relieve his continued suffering. What made the decision even harder for me, was the question as to who or what gives us the right to take his life. This power which I don't want was thrust on me. I hate this god like decision over another's life. But we took it anyway.

We know something which even Timmy doesn't know. The date and time of his death. Like an execution. 9am Friday 5th February 2010. He is 12 years old. So he can have some chocolate now if he likes. He can lie on the good rug, what the hell, the hairs can be hoovered up afterwards.

But he has two names. We call him Timmy while others insist on calling him Jimmy. He doesn't mind, he answers to both.

When he was about a year old, we went on holidays and left him with my two sons to mind. Naturally, they were looking forward with great excitement to looking after this little bundle of mischief. Of course, my elder son decided to play a trick on the younger and tell him the morning of the great day he was to arrive, that Dad had called to say that Timmy wouldn't be along as somebody else would be looking after him. However, as soon as Andy saw the consternation on Dan's face, he quickly said, "But his cousin Jimmy will be coming instead".

And hence the dog with two names will die this Friday. God rest him.

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