Nov 14th, 2007
Goodbye sweet Sevi
It’s with a heavy heart that I report that Sevi is no longer with us. Over the past few weeks her condition drastically worsened; the weakness in her rear leg led to further weakness in one of her front legs, and for the past week or so every time getting up off the floor/ground (which wasn’t often) was a heart-wrenching ordeal. Combined with the fact that her breathing became very labored, Jess and I knew that it was time.
I can’t adequately describe how hard it was to come to that decision, but in our hearts we know it was the right one. She hadn’t been herself for some time, and after almost 13 years with her I could tell she was getting no joy out of life at this point.
I feel unequal to the task of describing how special she was.
I can’t think of anyone who likes dogs who didn’t fall in love with Sevi. She even made dog lovers out of some non-dog people (and probably contributed to a few people getting dogs who might not have otherwise). It feels like just a short while ago that I brought her home from the pound in Chapel Hill - hard to believe she came into my life when I was 22. While I know she lost some of her star status once the kids came along, I believe she had a good, fulfilling life.
From the email my Mom sent me this evening: “We will always miss her, but in my mind’s eye is a picture of her on the front porch at Block Island–so graciously in her element, gazing out over the front lawn.” Thanks so much for that Mom, it sums up so much about her.
We’ll always love you Sevi girl - we’re sure you’re chasing squirrels (and catching them) wherever you are.
There definitely are no words for this sort of situation. So sad, but at the same time, you have to celebrate her life and how much joy she brought to everyone! For me, as a dog lover without a dog when I was in Seattle, Sevi provided much needed dog time whenever I saw her.
I gave Logan some extra attention last night (and even let her sleep in my bed-so not allowed) in honor of Sevi. I’m quite sure Sevi is very happy catching squirrels in doggie heaven.
PS- I keep thinking about Sevi’s Constanza pose picture…but the one you chose was very nice and probably more fitting.
Thanks T - that’s my favorite picture of Sevi as well, but we don’t have it stored on our computer - I’m going to scan it and get it up on the Sevi tribute page.
FYI, Jess found that picture, and I’ve added it to the Sevi page on the site.
i will never forget our drive from seattle to madison with the dogs. we had just adopted sasha the day before; we were kind of in shock and had no idea what to do with a dog. you gave us sevi’s old bed and some of her toys (i am sure sevi didn’t appreciate that but it was for a good cause!). sevi was so great and well-mannered on the trip, and sasha was a spaz. i remember taking sevi on walks a couple of times by myself when you had the last apt in seattle, before i had a dog of my own. and i also will never forget how you guys always said she was a mutt/mix or you weren’t sure what breed she was, and then you came across that book with the picture that looked EXACTLY like her and you were like…oh, i guess THAT’s what she is!