End of An Era: Farewell My Pretty Boys!

It was with great sorrow last week that my family and I said our farewells to our ever faithful senior canine companion, Mavro.  It marked an end of an era of sorts, for we have enjoyed the companionship and oftentimes naughty antics of dogs for the past twenty or so years.  Our house has taken on a rather quiet emptiness now that both of our dogs are no longer with us.  

A rather fuzzy photograph, taken in 2007, of Kylo and Mavro (in the foreground) when both dogs were very much in their prime and at their most boisterous

Photo: Chronica Domus

Our beloved Kylo died five years ago.  We considered acquiring another companion for Mavro but by all appearances, he rather liked being the only dog in the household.  That also meant he was the sole attention seeker too, which suited him just fine.  Mavro became a calmer and more stoic dog, if that is at all possible.  He assumed a proud gait as I trotted around the neighborhood daily with him during our walks.  It was as though he was announcing to the world that he had claimed me for his own, ever the faithful guardian I suppose.

Both of our dogs were rescues and although we knew they were not purebred by any stretch of the imagination, Kylo strongly resembled a Eurasier in both temperament and physical appearance, and Mavro a Swedish Lapphund.

Content to be bobbing about on the water during the summer of 2007

Photo: Chronica Domus

Our sweet boys shared our lives to the fullest and always accompanied us on short excursions to the country where they enjoyed discovering the delights of rambling through mountains and rivers, bobbing about on the water in rented boats, and hiking high and low.    

We were fortunate to enjoy the company of each dog for fourteen years, which we've been told is rather a long lifespan for large breed dogs.   Of course, in reality, that's never enough time to enjoy the unconditional love that these animals bring into our lives.

Mavro with his graying snout sniffing at the spring tulips back in April 2015

Photo: Chronica Domus

Mavro had slowed down considerably during the past few years and found it increasingly difficult to maintain a good pace on even the shortest of walks.  We knew it was time to seek help earlier this year and approached our vet for a solution.  Pills and a new diet were prescribed and, for a while, we saw a marked improvement in Mavro's comfort level.  Then, two weeks ago, even leaving the house became problematic.  The hobbling had worsened and Mavro was deteriorating at an alarming rate. When he could no longer get up on his own, we knew it was time.

I will forever remember both of our good-natured loyal boys with love and affection, and will never forget their gift of unconditional love towards their human family.

Farewell my pretty boys and may you both rest in peace.