The End of JOSCHI
 For a longer time in his last year he could not take his food properly. Still he was waiting for his main meal: tasty chicken breast fillets, a few noodles, cooked baby carrots, complemented with a few pieces of white bread and a mixture of foods he liked so much . He tried to pick it up but his saliva had become a sticky paste. Joschi's efforts to swallow failed more and more. His tongue didn't obey his will any longer, obviously he had suffered from a stroke that paralyzed his tongue and parts of his mouth.
 The vet, which has helped us so many times before and saved Joschi's life more than once, tried to convince me, that no medical treatment will give me back a young and healthy dog. I simply have to accept the fact, that life comes to the final border where we have to separate from each other. I must face it...
Finally, having spent Christmas and New Year together, the decision was made. It has been for the last time. Joschi looks at me and seems to say: «It's okay, I can not go on with you any longer!»
 On his last day he hopped out of my bed, earlier than days and weeks before, he gets close to my legs and I caress him. I phone the vet and tell her that Joschi and me are on the way, arriving in less than one hour.
Joschi and I leave our home. I take him up and carry him. This last way.
At the vet, we are immediately led into a small and separate room, which Joschi knows from previous visits, I set him down on the treatment table, he trembles and shivers a bit, I try my best to calm him down, fondle his body with my hands and he becomes quiet rapidly, looking at me, sending me parting glances: «Thank you for everything! Thank you for being here with me now!»
 He receives an injection with narcotics. Soon he is going to slip away into a deep sleep. What is now happening inside of him? Is it the same thing often heard that people see their whole life passing by in a moment ? Does he meet his first person, the old lady, who died and left him when he was a young one? Does he remember the many years of friendship with me and the long strolls, does he meet his old companions who have already passed away?
He gets a second injection, that makes his body completely insensitive. Now he cannot feel the pain caused by a long needle. And then comes the final shot. It is injected directly into the little heart. Holding my hands on his body I can still feel his body breathing, it is getting less and less. The vet takes off the stethoscope. She says: «His heart does not beat anymore!» ------- It's over! Joschi has left - he has passed the rainbow bridge.
My beloved Joschi,
I will never forget you!
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