Last Minutes with Oden
Friday, December 25th, 2009While growing up I was allergic to common animals like dogs and cats. It was immensely difficult because I have always had a strong affection for animals. Wanting a dog but not being able to keep it inside because of my severe allergies, my father transformed our pool shed into a dog palace complete with tiled floors, electric heat, windows, insulation, doggie door, and fenced in area.
We started with our first dog, a yellow lab we named Buttercup. A few years later we added a second yellow lab and named her Sierra. I deeply loved Buttercup and Sierra but going away to college and later moving to Maine created large physical and emotional distances from them, and we saw each other less and less.
While living in Maine, my parents came for a summer visit and we went for a walk in the Camden Park. As the sun dipped beneath the horizon my parents began to explain that cancer had rapidly spread throughout Sierra, and that they had no choice but to put her to sleep, reliving her from her suffering.
Upon hearing this I began to feel very disconnected with her passing by not seeing her regularly. After watching this documentary I am able to better connect with her passing and identify with the emotions I was unable to feel for so long. May you find peace and connection with your family during this holiday season!



