Hardy Crofton

10.07.2007 – 24.07.2018

Many thanks to everyone for your prayers, kind thoughts and good wishes.

I spoke to the vets today and my poor Hardy was having serious problems with his kidneys. They were only partly functioning. However, in his usual last hurrah, he decided to give all of you wonderful people a big smile. I asked Sarah, a long time friend who has been part of our furry family for as long as I can remember if she would like to say goodbye. It had already been arranged with Eoin (one of the incredible vets at the Animal Welfare Hospital.) I had said to Eoin “It’s what’s best for my Hardy. Tell me what to do, what is right and I will do it.”

He had said that his kidneys weren’t working despite flushing them and everything in the world they had done. Did I want it done at home? Ideally, yes. But what was less stressful? Well, I need to make sure his furry brothers and sisters can say goodbye. I can’t come in and wait an hour and have the nurse with a bright cheery smile say ‘thank you please take a seat’.

He assured me that this was a different scenario, Hardy would be in a room on his own, a cushion under his head covered in a blanket and comfortable, Hardy well ahead of the situation was already on a mission, as usual. He had things to do, and a place on his agenda. He looked at me with a smile as though saying ‘thanks for being my mom’. His adventurous spirit that I admired so much, told me that ‘he had run his race, he had fought the good fight and now he needed to go to that better place for which we all yearn …home’  He had raised thousands for charity all his life. The vets had done all they could. He had been given that all important chance.

I told Sarah that the dogs were going to say goodbye to their brother and since she was such an important part of them growing up could she come too? She didn’t hesitate. We stroked Hardy, laughed, cried, told stories of his antics, how loved he was not only by people he had met but by those he hadn’t.

He was given a sedative and didn’t seem stressed… snoring if you don’t mind. The vet explained what happened when the final shot is given and what happens to the body. I know what you mean. Sarah and I prayed together.

I blessed Hardy hoping and trusting the Good Lord that his transition would be easy and … it was. He was an angel on earth helping so many so, of course, Heaven couldn’t wait to make sure his entrance was regal. He slipped away.

Later each of his brothers and sisters came and sniffed and said goodbye.

We all went home and celebrated a wonderful person who touched so many with his wagging tail and a pushy annoying wet nose. He was well-loved especially by those who are invisible to society but Hardy and his brother Laurel made sure that each person who felt untouched by God’s love knew he or she was loved.

Never was a more perfect example of a hero and I am so proud to have been his mom.