Parris at our baby shower in CA when we were pregnant with Gabriel. Our Parris has passed away. She is/was such a great dog. She loved us and we loved her. Yesterday, at about 5:00 in the evening, Parris got out of Edward's mom's house in California where we were visiting for the week. She saw a dog across the busy street that Susan lives on and went for it. She was hit immediately by a car going about 35-40 mph. She was alert, but not moving at all. As quickly as we could we got her to an animal hospital. The whole way we just kept talking to her and trying to keep her calm. She just kept looking at us with her sad eyes trying to figure out what was going on. They told us she didn't look good, but they would do what they could to stabilize her right away. She was immediately given morphine for her pain. When the doctor brought us back in to talk to us he began telling us about her condition. Her back legs were damaged very badly and her lungs were so badly bruised that they would soon fail. As he started talking to us, the technician came in and told him that she was starting to go. Her heart had stopped. The doctor told him to start CPR, and we told him no. We knew she wasn't going to make it, and we didn't want her in any more pain. We lost her at about 6:30 Thursday, October 14, 2009. She was 7 1/2 years old.
Please continue to pray for Gabriel especially. He saw her get hit, and took it pretty badly. When we got home that night he asked if she was all better. We told him she had to stay with the doctors, but that they would take good care of her. He didn't say anything all day until we were aout 10 minutes from home tonight. He asked if she was going to be home. We told him that she was still with the doctors in CA. He then asked if the policeman got the lady. We didn't even realize that he saw who hit her until then. Ed had taken the kids in so quickly we didn't know he saw more than just her getting hit. He was very sad in the car and kept telling us that he wanted to go see her. It is going to be very hard for him. He loved her as much as we did.
Parris was our first baby. I remember the day Edward and I went to the humane society just to "look" at dogs. I don't remember why we went, but we saw our Parris (her name then was Charlie) and we just couldn't say good bye. She was just about a year old. Somehow we ended up taking her home with us (to a house full of 4 other adults and 2 dogs). We were crazy to do it, but we fell in love with her immediately. She was ours.
Parris loved chasing birds, jumping the fence to roam the neighborhood, jump on everyone that came to the door, and bark at anything she was unsure about (including all night thunderstorms). She slept with us each and every night (even though Gabriel has been asking her to sleep with him). Parris loved visiting Susan in CA, and would typically whine the last 20 minutes every trip because she knew we were close. She just loved Susan's big backyard full of birds to chase and grass to sniff. She ate any food we left out including half a pizza just a week ago. She had the softest ears and such a sweet spirit about her. We will forever miss her.
If you have a story about Parris to share, please do so in the comments. We would love to hear them.
8 comments:
I don't have a story, but Melynda I am so sorry! I can't imagine how hard this is. I have my own "baby", Daisy and I just couldn't imagine the heart ache it would cause to loose her and let alone have to experience all that went into it. Big hugs for all of your family and a super big one for Gabriel. I will keep him in my prayers.
I am so sorry Melynda. Chris told me last night and I was just crushed for you guys, and for Gabriel.
When I house-sat for you a couple years ago, Parris would jump on the bed with me, too. I met her the first time I met you and Edward - it will be so weird to visit and not have her there.
I will always remember being mad at Paris for eating our package of corn tortillas. Susan, her dad, and my dad were at your house with Gabriel. I can't remember where you guys had ventured off to. We had gone shopping or something and had left the tortillas on the kitchen counter, not near the edge mind you, and somehow that crazy dog got a hold of them. When we returned to make dinner and couldn't find the tortillas, I accused Susan of doing something with them. After searching the cupboards, refrigerator, and all the counters, Susan suggested I check the bedroom. Well, from the bedroom window I spotted the opened package of tortillas in the backyard. They were not salvageable as they were now partially eaten and full of ants. Paris and I were not on good terms the rest of the day. I hope this story brings some humor. So sorry for your loss.
I always loved how good she was with the kids. I know how much they would torment her and she never reacted. One of my favorite pictures is of Gabriel lying on his stomach, he couldn't have been more than 7 months and Parris is giving him a big ole kiss. Too cute. And she always waited so patiently for whoever was eating in the high chair to drop their food. She loved the leftovers. Poor Parris. She will be missed!
So many memories of Parris. I did think you guys were crazy when you came home to a house that already had two dogs and lots of people with a new dog. Parris always loved me and knew I would pet her and give her attention. She was always a little crazy the way she ran back and forth in your back yard, had an obsession with eating plastic things like pasifiers and breastpump parts, and jumping fences. She was a great dog and will be missed by all of us. We're so sorry for your loss.
I was telling Emily about this and she said she wanted me to tell you this..."I love Parris so so much and will miss her when I come to visit."
We are so sorry and will keep Gabriel in our prayers.
The day I thought I was being SO helpful in washing all of your bottles and nipples as a nice surprise for a 'new again' mama... imagine my surprise when I got a phone call from you asking me where all the nipples were to the bottles... sneaky dog! Parris was a busy dog (Abby and I will miss telling her to get down every time we open your front door), but she will be greatly missed. Dogs like her come along far and few between and they somehow find a way to move into our hearts and take up a lot of space in there.
Good girl Parris, we miss you.
Kyle, Kelli, and Abby
Thanks everyone for your comments. Parris was a sneaky little dog, but a great part of our family. All of your comments have pretty much made me cry, but in a good way. Thank you.
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