"Aujourd'hui, Maman est morte."

Pepper won't eat anything. He hasn't eaten all day. His stomach is swollen and he barely uses one of his legs. He's been lying in the same room for four hours. Every one of us has sat petting him for a while. If a stranger were to look in on such a heartrending scene, he would think that this was the most beloved pet of a devoted family. His impression would of course be stretching the truth quite a bit.

Hmm... Well, that makes us sound like bad pet owners. We're not really. Most people in the house care quite a bit for animals. But, Pepper was never any one's favorite. He was a good and loyal dog. He picked habits up quickly even when we did not want him to. He was always well-behaved. But he was needy, too. And he whined excessively. He had a constant need to be petted. It got to the point where if he was left alone for any amount of time, his ecstasy at our return would be unbearable. He is the last Lab we will ever get. It's not that he wasn't loved. It's not that my mother and sister won't cry when he's gone, which is looking sooner and sooner. But to pretend he was a favorite would be a lie.

Having now defined both him and us when he lived, I shall define the situation as he is approaching death. I have already said that he has been given a copious amount of attention. He has been petted. His appetite has been tempted. He has been lured out into company. Sad words have been spoken about his approaching trip to the vet. In fact, attitudes have changed toward him quite a bit. I suppose this always happens when people die. All of a sudden people who hardly knew them or were fairly indifferent to them begin professing their undying friendship and telling them how much they'll be missed. I'm sure it's a great comfort to my dog, but how many people trust the sudden change in their deathbed well wishers? More importantly, why do people feel a need to become attached to people who are about to die, people they hardly knew? Is it the fact that they'll never see them again? But people move all the time and this never happens. I can't explain it.

Pepper goes to the vet tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.