As I try to process “all of the things”, I’ve felt the need to write stories that need to be brought to light with our collected isolation due to COVID. We need to be recognizing these experiences, and how incredibly unnatural and fucked they are.
This one is a family matter. Right now, in Austin, Texas, it is not possible to go back with your loved pets that need to cross over that rainbow bridge in order to protect staff from potential exposure.
Meet Roxy, a sweet, loving Viszla/Boxer mix. She cuddles hard and takes most of the bed. She was my sister’s 14 year old dog. While already well past her expiration date, she unfortunately had to be put down during this whole debacle.
I’ve had a hard time writing this as I’ve had my own experience not being there for my own dog while traveling and it is traumatizing. Not being there for your loved pet, companion, best friend and family member as they slip away from you – is something that I would never wish on anyone. They were there for us, and we aren’t able to reciprocate. My heart was torn out of my chest as we were on quarantine and I couldn’t be there for my sister. I just wanted to hug her and tell her it was going to be alright. I hysterically cried when I learned that Roxy had passed. Hell, I have tears and sobs right now. I haven’t had the spoons to process it fully.
My sister is a superhero.
A single mother with an 8 year old sassy daughter. She is a teacher to young kiddos by day, and by night – is a single mother with an 8 year old sassy daughter. She has her shit together with her own house, a solid friend group, and is a child taxi to extracurriculars. This dog was a big deal. She intuitively cuddled with my sister when she needed it during those physically and emotionally taxing moments. I could rest assured that my sister was taken care of.
Roxy was family.
But there is a STAY AT HOME – WORK SAFE* ordinance here in Austin – one that makes it to where you are not allowed to be with your pet as they cross over. You’re not allowed to be with the pet that was there with you on your sleepless nights – the pet that loved you unconditionally through your faults and mistakes and bad decisions. The dog that helped raise a kid and guard the house. You’re not allowed to give their wet nose one last kiss as they slip away.
Instead they head back alone.
She died alone. Like many of us will.
She deserved better than that.
* Below is the ordinance, for reference.
