Festus Gower

By the time Festus came into my life from the humane society adoption shelter, I’d been mourning the passing of my previous and lovely dog who had passed away of old age. Although I was a lifelong animal lover, my heart was still broken, and I didn’t know if I could bring myself to love another dog. And yet, I yearned for that companionship that only a dog could give. When I saw Festus in his cage at the shelter – scared, cowering, but with a look of hope in his eyes when he saw me – I did fall in love right away. He came home with me. As the saying goes: I didn’t just adopt him, he adopted me too.

In the years since, Festus of course became my best friend and my son. We were inseparable to the very end. I gave everything I had to him. In his later years, I was fortunate to work from home and spend more time with him. My oldest cat adored Festus and loved to snuggle him and sleep next to him on the bed. She’s lost without him.

As a senior dog, he unfortunately developed canine cognitive dysfunction, which was heartbreaking to watch as it unfolded. Then came the rapid decline in his physical health, too – and the seizures that were so painful he would scream in distress. So like many pet-parents, my choice was difficult: at his advanced age of 16 in human years, do I try to prolong his life so I can selfishly keep him with me, or do I do the compassionate and merciful thing and let him have the eternal rest he so rightly deserved? When I’d look into his exhausted, sad eyes, that choice became easy, and I made the second choice. It wasn’t easy for me, and it was heartbreaking to say goodbye, but in my heart I knew I’d done the right thing became he’s no longer suffering and in pain – he’s running free in the happy eternal fields on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

I’ll always love you, Festus my baby boy.