ppp|
Kirsten and Beaux
|ppp
Beaux, 1992-2006
Beaux wasn’t doing so well on Wednesday night. He had starting having some severe seizures around supper time, so my dad took him to the vet. They gave him some valium to control the seizures, and kept him overnight for observation. The vet said that the seizures were probably brought on by a metabolic problem or a tumor, both possibilities for a 14-year-old dog. If the valium therapy worked, they would have recommended a treatment plan. Unfortunately, after he came off of the valium, his seizures started up again. So today at 1 p.m., dad took him to be euthanized.
It’s a sad day for everyone in our family. Beaux has been with us for so long, and he has kept my parents company at home since Kirsten and I have moved away. I would have been about 13 years old when Kirsten got him as a project for 4-H… we couldn’t have known what an impression he would make on all of us. Kirsten trained him and took him to shows at the fair as part of 4-H, and though he was never the most well-heeled dog, he did pretty well and we were proud of him and of Kirsten’s work with him. Beaux was very loyal and friendly, and very protective of his family. Being a corgi-terrier mix, he had an incredible herding instinct, and he would always follow us upstairs to keep watch when we went to sleep. We loved him even during his mischevious moments, like one evening when dad and I were down in the basement, and Beaux just ran right down and peed on the floor right in front of us. We actually had a pretty good laugh about it at the time. After I left for college, I didn’t have as much chance to see him, but every time I’ve come home to visit since then, he’d be there wagging his tail, full of energy, and happy to see me.
In his later years, he’s had his share of problems… from ear infections to arthritis to other disorders, mom and dad have taken care of him the best they can, but it’s been tough. I think he has probably been suffering for a while, but God bless him for hanging on as long as he did and staying with mom and dad.
I never thought I could get this choked up about losing a pet, but I am. We’re all going to miss you, Beaux. You were a good dog.
For more photos of Beaux, see my [photo tribute](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/etcetera/occasions/beaux_tribute/). If anyone has more photos of him, I would be happy to put them up.
If you were friends or family of Beaux, please leave us a comment to share your thoughts and memories of his life.
You said it perfectly. Beaux didn’t ask for much, just food and water. He was always there for us! Even in his last months he tried his hardest to make it upstairs at night to watch over us. But, we couldn’t bear to see his eyes when he had the seizures. I imagine him romping and playing with Megan’s Wesley and he is happy. Man’s best friend … Beaux! Thanks for a great eulogy! Love you, Mom
Well said, Peter. I of course didn’t know Beaux, but well know how our pets can touch our lives. So sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry for your loss, Peter. I hope that your fond memories and the knowledge that Beaux is no longer limited by his many ailments will comfort you and help temper your sadness.
Aww! Beaux was a great dog! I can’t help laughing when I think of him barking at the windows and the kitchen fan and peeing on the floor on prom night because of all of the people and the excitement. He even got me extra credit in French class one time because his name is French (sort of). I’m sorry to hear that he is gone. He lived a long and good life.
Hi Peter (and Rebecca),
Sorry to read this news about Beaux.
We have a pure bred corgi named Wyddan who you might have met before. She’s got a fluffy coat and her ears flop over like Beaux’s. Anyway, she’s going to be 10 this year and I know she probably doesn’t have many years left with us. To be honest, she has had several behavioral problems over the years that have driven me absolutely crazy at times. Also, she just got sprayed by a skunk last Sunday night, which was an awful experience. But, you know, I wouldn’t give her up for all the money in the world, in spite of the problems we’ve had with her.
So, again, my condolences on the loss of Beaux.