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Comedian Sarah Silverman wrote a heartfelt goodbye to her 19-year-old dog after deciding it was finally time to let him go this week.
Have tissues ready for her loving farewell to the dog she called her best friend.
In a post on WhoSay, she "wrote an obituary type thing," about how Duck "Doug" Silverman came into her life after she found him at a shelter in Van Nuys 14 years ago. "Since then we have slept most every night together (and many lazy afternoons.)" she wrote.
He was a happy dog, though serene. And stoic. And he loved love. Over the past few years he became blind, deaf, and arthritic. But with a great vet, good meds, and a first rate seeing-eye person named me, he truly seemed comfortable.
Recently, however, he stopped eating or drinking. He was skin and bones and so weak. I couldn't figure out this hunger strike. Duck had never been political before. And then, over the weekend, I knew. It was time to let him go.
My boyfriend Kyle flew in late last night and took the day off from work to be with us. We laid in bed and massaged his tiny body, as we love to do - hearing his little "I'm in heaven" breaths.
The doctor came and Kyle, my sister, Laura and I laid on the bed. I held him close - in our usual spoon position and stroked him. I told him how loved he was, and thanked him for giving me such happiness and for his unwavering companionship and love. The doctor gave him a shot and he fell asleep, and then another that was basically an overdose of sleeping meds. I held him and kissed him and whispered to him well passed his passing. I picked him up and his body was limp—you don't think about the head—it just falls. I held him so tight. And then finally, when his body lost its heat, and I could sense the doctor thinking about the imminent rush hour traffic, I handed him over.
14 years.
My longest relationship.
My only experience of maternal love.
My constant companion.
My best friend.
Duck.
