Stories Of London

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There is a legend that says when an animal dies and has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for everyone’s special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and here they are happy and comfortable as they wait.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as they are remembered in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing ……. they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

The one that was left behind has been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face. Your hands again caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your special friend, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart ……. and then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

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Cross Creek Animal Hospital

Some time ago, some friends of mine, Mr. Kenny and Mrs. Kathy Morkrid, took their beautiful 10-year black Labrador Retriever, Shotgun to the Vet at Cross Creek Animal Hospital in Fayetteville, North Carolina since he was suffering with periodic seizures. It soon became apparent that the poor dog was suffering with a brain tumour that was the cause of the episodes.

(Awaiting permission for this to appear here from The Spruce)

Treatment was began, and for a while, was able to control the seizure activity. However, Shotgun’s seizure episodes soon increased in frequency and left him disorientated for longer and longer periods of time. With this, he also begun to play less and less with his toys and with the family’s other dog, Bentley, and the family and spending more and more time on his blanket and in his bed while showing little interest in what was going on around him.

The medication was on the verge of failing to control  Shotgun’s seizure activity. During a trip to the Vet, the family were informed that since treatment was now proving to be more and more difficult and now seemed to be failing and leaving the poor dog in a miserable state, the family needed to prepare themselves for the worst.

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As one can imagine, this was devastating news for my friends and their family which consists of three sons living at home (Kyle, Kody and Kolt) along with their eldest son, Kenneth (Young Kenny) who is married and who, at the time, was living with his wife, Lexi, and their daughter, Avery, in Tennessee.

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Since discussion with the Vet on possible treatment choices for Shotgun offered little hope for a peaceful life for Shotgun, it became apparent, unfortunately, that the only option to end his misery was Euthanasia. With this, the family was advised to take a few days to discuss the matter.

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The overwhelming joy of having pets is unfortunately accompanied by the inevitable sadness
that comes should owners need to end their lives.

And so after a few days, which involved long discussions between the family members, it was decided that, although sad and something no one really wanted to choose, it became obvious that Euthanasia was the best option for Shotgun if they wished to avoid further suffering on his part.

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Once the decision had been made, the family spent the next few days saying their good-byes to their beloved friend, and each did this in their own way.

Kenny & Kathy with Shotgun

Left: Kyle with Shotgun; Centre: Kody & Kolt with Shotgun & Bentley (their Beegle); and
Right: Kolt, Kyle & Kody with Shotgun

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This wonderful dog had been the family’s companion for most of his life and deciding what was best for him had not been an easy decision to make.  Although they knew that this would be the best outcome for him, actually making the decision was hard, as any pet owner can understand.

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Barbra Streisand (1942) – The Way We Were

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Shotgun had come to the family as a puppy and was obtained from a family living nearby. Kathy remembers going to get Shotgun when he was a puppy. She says that when she picked him up to carry him home, he promptly urinated on her! Kathy added that he was a wonderful dog and a great companion and that she will miss him very much.

Although Shotgun was loving and playful with all members of the family, he was especially attentive to Kenny, the husband/father.

(When I was a child, I remember that all dogs that we had in our household, no matter if they had been obtained specifically for me, always gravitated to my father and sort him out whenever they were separated. My father had a special gift that attracted dogs.)

Since Shotgun was a Labrador Retriever, it is not surprising that he enjoyed racing around the garden retrieving objects thrown for this precise reason. Kenny’s most vivid memories of Shotgun involves enjoying such times as these.  In fact every member of the family enjoyed tossing or rolling a tennis ball around the back garden and watching him chase after it, seeking it out and bringing back so that it could be thrown once more. He never seemed to tire of this.

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Shotgun also had a love for water as Young Kenny, the eldest son of Kathy and Kenny, can attest to this along with memories of his racing around the garden and chasing tennis balls!  One of his most memorable experiences with Shotgun is from while he was still a puppy: during the first week he was with the family, they went to Lake Rim Park here in Fayetteville to allow him to run around. The first thing that he did after jumping excitedly out of the truck was to head directly to the Lake and jump in whereupon he began to splash around much to the amusement of everyone! Young Kenny says that they enjoyed many more great times around the water with him!

Young Kenny with his wife, Lexi, and their daughter, Avery

Avery playing ball with Shotgun

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Kathy and Kenny’s second son, Kyle, has many fond memories of Shotgun. One amusing and special moment Kyle recalls is when the family would inflate balloons as part of decoration for Christmas or a birthday. Shotgun would bark and leap into the air with excitement as the balloons floated around in the air. He would snap his jaws when one came close in the hope of catching it in his mouth. His joy gave us all much pleasure to watch. Should he actually catch a balloon, he would burst it and then attempt to eat it! However, the balloon would prove not to his taste, as he soon spat it out of his mouth.

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Kathy and Kenny’s third son, Kody, remember how Shotgun enjoyed laying on his bed along side the television often with Bentley resting in his bed or in the close by chair.  Whenever Kody or anyone else for that matter,  Shotgun would look up, curious to see what Kody might be up to or see if he had brought with him as a snack. If he had, he would get out of his bed and join Kody in the hope that he might be given a morsel to enjoy. Shotgun would often sit with Kody who would gently pet him causing him to fall into a deep relaxed state. Whenever Kody scratched a sweet spot, one of Shotgun’s legs would shake or kick trying to remove a perceived irritation (i.e., the Dog Scratch Reflex; click here to see the Reflex).

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Kolt is Kathy and Kenny’s fourth son. He remembers Shotgun’s amusing tendency to commit larceny!  On one occasion, Kolt has prepared a chicken patty for himself and brought it into his bedroom to eat at his desk. He had placed the plate on the desk and then began working at his computer. Meanwhile, Shotgun had sensed the delicious aroma of the patty and entered the room in order to seek out the source. As Kolt was engrossed in his work, Shotgun seized the opportunity and grabbed the patty and quickly gobbled it up! Once Kolt realised what Shotgun had done, he also realised that he no longer had any lunch! This caused him, and the rest of the family, to laugh and enjoy this humorous moment.

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All of the family remember how Shotgun could be very amusing when showing mischievous behaviour, as shown here, when he is stealing Bentley’s food!

Bentley & Shotgun

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Shotgun leaping while trying to catch a model Helicopter

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Gene Autry (1907-1998) – I’m Heading For The Last Round-Up

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The Final Journey

And so on Saturday, the twenty-seventh of January, 2024, Mr. and Mrs. Morkrid, Kenny and Kathy, brought Shotgun to the Cross Creek Animal Hospital in Fayetteville, North Carolina where the procedure was to take place.

Shotgun ……. That Woeful Look

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Once they arrived at the Animal Hospital, they were ushered into an examination room where a blanket had been spread on the floor for Shotgun to lay on. They were told that they could take as long as they wished to say their final farewells before anyone would came to enquire if they were ready for the procedure to begin. They were also given a jar containing some Hershey’s Kisses and told that the chocolate was for Shotgun!

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