Klondike’s Best Friend: His Mom

During the holiday season one year, my mom surprised my brother and I with a Christmas present we will never forget! Klondike is the name he was given by my mom, brother and me as it fit him perfectly considering he was the breed of an American Eskimo. From the time he was an eight week old puppy he loved our family very dearly and as he matured he formed an unbelievable bond with one person in particular. This amazing person happened to be my mom. Klondike’s love and attachment for my mom grew inseparable over the years. He became my mom’s shadow as he slept on her bed at night and followed her throughout the house. His love for her was unconditional and he protected her with his life.

It was as if his mission in life was to watch over her as her angel. Klondike understood my mom and my mom understood him. They were so bonded that my mom believed she was Klondike’s best friend. Klondike’s aura was very protective towards my mom and if anybody came to close to her he would be sure to let them know that she was his property and his only. In a way it seems a little comical even when family friends would greet her with a hug! To our family it was not a humorous matter as we loved Klondike for the protective dog he is and how he made my mom feel so safe.

As Klondike began to age and entered his elder years, he started to slow down. Even though he was diagnosed with arthritis and was in pain most of the time, his love and devotion for my mom did not change. Through his painful arthritic condition, he was soon diagnosed with a battling disease called Pemphegus which is known as dog Lupus. A number of medications kept him stable and comfortable, yet one of them being a steroid of prednisone made him become more aggressive towards other people. His fight for life remained strong as he wanted to survive for my mom’s sake.

As the weeks became days, Klondike began to progressively get worse. We were positive as we prayed and loved him every minute of our lives and told him how much we loved him every second of everyday. Klondike reached a point of being unable to walk or eat and we knew his time was nearing. We were there by his side and as my mom lay beside him during his final hours, he looked into her eyes and as my mom said the words to him, “You are my best friend, son,” he took his last breath. Our family grieved with uncontrollable sadness and emotion, yet knew he was free of pain. We hold onto the memories of Klondike and the wonderful dog he was with the belief that his spirit continues to surround us. My mom continues to hold onto her never ending faith that she had such a wonderful best friend named Klondike