Years ago, when I spoke my last words to my dog Ed, I knew it. She was seconds away from being put to sleep, and I held her head and said what I said every time I left her alone in the house. "Be good."
I think she understood.
With Poindexter, I had no inkling they were the final words I would say to my dog. The vet had just handed me a $2500 estimate for her treatment, and as they were taking her to the x-ray room, I called after her. "Girl, you're getting a fucking job."
I think she understood.