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The More Things Change...The More They Stay The Stay the Same




It’s just another COVID-19 Saturday. We are now very accustomed to what is the new normal. Nothing in our lives has particularly changed. The Great Brit and I have had discussions about how to proceed now that things are opening up here in Florida. 

This past Monday restaurants, many retail stores and even the big shopping malls have opened up. I have read that not all stores within all malls have opened yet. Beginning Monday, hair salons and nail salons can also reopen. The Brit and I have mutually agreed that there is absolutely no need for us to rush to a restaurant to have a meal. Restaurants are only allowed to have 25% occupancy and diners must be seated according to  distancing guidelines. The other thing is we have probably close to $800 worth of frozen meat stashed between two freezers. Even though we cook every day, we have barely made a dent in it. Our goal is to use up this food in a timely manner. We have not used take-out services from any restaurant since the staying at home began. It just seems like too much trouble and unnecessary. As far as retail shopping goes, my best shopping friend is AmazonPrime. I have absolutely no desire to wander through any stores, not even my beloved TJ Maxx or Home Goods. I pretty much think those two romances have waned for me. It’s kind of sad in its own unique way

 One week ago today we had to help our 12 1/2-year-old Havanese, Rico, over the rainbow bridge. This was not only such sorrow for us, but in its own way another aspect of the COVID-19 “new normal.“ We have both known for a short while that Rico would not be with us for much longer. Again, we discussed how we should proceed. We decided together that we would keep him comfortable as long as we could and he could. When he stopped eating we knew that it was time. I called the animal clinic where we have been patients for the past 10 years and explained the situation. They explained that they were doing drive up patients only, first come first served, but in Rico‘s case, we could have a 4 o’clock appointment after the drive-up hours were finished. We were to call the receptionist from our car when we arrived. A technician would then come out to our car, take notes of what we were reporting, take Rico and our credit card in to see the vet while we waited in the car. When the vet had assessed Rico they would call us to report back. We waited in the car for about 20 or so minutes and the veterinarian, Dr. Anne, our favorite, called us to say that there was nothing she could do for Rico. She asked if we wished her to euthanize Rico. When we said yes, she told us to walk around to the back of the building where there is a large fenced area with picnic tables and grass and trees. She said that she and a technician would bring Rico out and meet us there. They brought Rico out and set him on the grass and we walked him for a little bit and told him how much we loved him and how much we would miss him. When we were ready, the technician lifted Rico on top of the table that she covered with towels. We stood and held Rico. He already had an IV in his arm from when blood has been drawn during his examination. Dr. Anne gave Rico a sedative in the IV and he just sort of relaxed. Dr. Anne, checked his heart rate and then gave him the final injection. Within less than a minute he went to sleep in my arms. The Great Brit and I cried and thanked Dr. Anne and Keli for the kindness and compassion they showed to us during this incredibly difficult time. We took Rico’s collar and his leash and let Keli carry him back into the building 

We came home and just sat. The Brit and I are old enough and I’ve been together long enough to have been through this with a few other dogs that we have loved and who have loved us. It’s never easy, but I know in my soul that if our positions were reversed, the dogs would be compassionate enough to do the same for us. It’s comforting to have a partner with whom one does not have to say anything yet we each know what the other is thinking and feeling at times such as this. Rico brought much love and joy into our lives we hope that we have done the same for him.



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