I found him in the woods. It was fall , and there was a chill in the air and the crisp feeling that only comes with the sudden change in temperature. The falling leaves danced there way to the ground.
He weighed three pounds at most, his ribs and backbone protruding, his eyes sunken. Despite the dinginess of his matted gray and white coat, and his disheveled appearance, he seemed to have an air of dignity about him.
At first he did'nt notice me as I approached. I quickly realized that he was deaf and had eyesight in only one eye.His life was hanging on by a miracle, like the last leaf on a tree- holding fast no matter how fiercely the wind blows.
How he had survived at all was astonishing to me, as the woods in the Northeast are filled with hungry predators, awaiting an easy meal. I did'nt know what path he had traveled or where life had taken him, but no matter, I had found him.
I could not determine how old he was, he was in such poor health. He seemed ancient. He had lived long enough to have had a hard life, and it seemed he had seen more than his share of hardship.
He was wary of my intentions at first, and scurried away to the protective cover of a nearby brush pile. Little by little with patience and the help of tempting food he realized I was a friend rather than an enemy, something he may never have had the fortune of experiencing before in his life.
He allowed me the pleasure of his company. Once inside the house, he made himself right at home on the soft quilted bed I had prepared just for him. He seemed off balance, occasionally stumbling, but he quickly adapted to his new life indoors. Soon he was king of his domain.
I knew immediately what his name would be- he deserved the utmost respect that had eluded him throughout his sad little life. Simply, "Sir". And although Sir could not hear me when I spoke , I would kneel down to him and look into his one good eye as I stroked his head.
He seemed to know somehow that I loved him. I felt that just speaking his name, whether or not he could hear, afforded him an esteem that he had never known.
Sir would bask in the sunshine near the patio windows, where he gazed at the outdoors, watching squirrels frolic and birds flitter about. He was content and never once tried retreating back to his former life.
Even with veterinarian care Sir's health continued to deteriorate. I knew it would not be long.
Early one morning after enjoying Sir's company for only six short months, I awoke to find him dying.I wanted to cry , but held back the tears. My grief would have to wait. I needed to be strong for Sir. I cradled him in my arms and caressed his emaciated body.( No matter how much he ate, he had never gained weight.) I looked into his eyes and told him that he was my friend and I thanked him for choosing to spend the last days of his life with me.
His body quivered, and as I laid him gently down on his quilt, he gasped and cried out. Then Sir took his last earthly breath and was gone on to a place I can only imagine. My precious friend left an indelible mark on my heart and soul.
I have images of Sir, healthy and full of life, soaking up the sun's rays in a field of wild flowers. I know he'll be waiting there for me, and we'll continue the friendship that we began here.
