I woke up fairly early, around 6:45AM, and did the morning routine. Athai made me fresh dosas with two vegetables for breakfast. Delicious, and of course I overate.

 

However, that would be the highlight of the day. Today was a sad day. It was probably better that we didn’t have anything planned for the day. As I came downstairs, Shruthi said that Chikky, the pup pictured above, had a really bad night. What I have not shared with you is that Chikky was suffering from cancer. It began as a tumor on her right leg, and they had it removed. However, it came back and she had been suffering for several months.

 

The previous week Shruthi had taken her for a steroid shot and it helped her feel better and made the tumors decrease in size.

 

She did the same yesterday, however, upon waking it up, the swelling and size had increased. Shruthi said that Chikky did not sleep as she could not get comfortable. Laying in any position caused pain, and her breathing would become heavy.

 

Shruthi stayed home and made the decision that today would be Chikki’s last day of suffering. She stayed her all day, and Chikky seemed to know that something was different. Even Chinny, their dalmation, knew that something was afoot, and let Chikki finish her food without complaint.

We sat around during the day, waiting to see if the vet could get the injection to help put Chikki at ease.

The doctor arrived at around 2PM. Chinny was barking at him, but Chikky’s tail was wagging a lot. In some ways I think she knew that her pain was going to be alleviated.

We prepared as much as could be. Athai went into the room with Chinny to keep her calm, and Shruthi and I were outside with the doctor. As we got ready, Shruthi couldn’t be present. I held Chikky as the doctor gave her the injection. She went peacefully, and Shruthi joined us quickly after the injection was administered to be there with Chikky in her final moments.

Really sad, seeing life fade away like that.

Shruthi said she felt alleviated, relieved, that this pup was not suffering anymore. However, that didn’t help the hurt that she and Athai felt after nearly 12 years with her.

I don’t really remember the rest of the day. We had some delicious food, but the mood was quite somber, and soon after went to sleep as the next day Athai and I had to be ready to leave by 7AM for more touring.