A/N: This story contains detailed scenes involving injury and euthanasia of an animal that may be traumatic for some readers.
Dr. Cora Winston's face was a mask of sympathy as she came back into the sterile examination room, holding a sedated Jack Russel terrier in her arms/ A technician hovered by her as she gently laid the dog onto the examination table. She turned to the owner, struggling to maintain her professional composure. This was unusual; she'd been in practice for over twenty years, and was used to giving bad news.
But it hit different when the animal's owner was a friend.
"I'm sorry, Martin, but you have to make a decision," she said sympathetically, holding Martin Crane's gaze. "Eddie has a major bowel obstruction. We can operate, but on a dog his age, it would be extremely risky and any quality of life improval would be very minimal. I...recommend euthanasia."
Cora winced in sympathy as the words registered with Martin. He paled, and had it not been for Frasier standing by him, he would have fallen from the shock. Frasier gently guided his father into a chair and watched as a storm of emotions flitted over Martin's face. At long last...
"All right. I'll do it. I'll...let him go. It's only fair to Eddie," he said hollowly.
The technician stepped forward with a release form for him to sign, and explained the process. Martin barely heard her as Cora picked up a syringe, filling it with a pink fluid. As she checked the dosage, Frasier helped Martin to Eddie's side.
"Hey, boy," Martin said hoarsely. "How's my best dog doing?"
He looked at the limp figure and sighed.
"I know, you're not going great." His voice caught. "But it will be better in a few moments."
He looked away as Cora gave Eddie the injection, but continued to pet the dog and murmur comforting words. He didn't look back until he heard the veterinarian say, "he's gone."
Cora went over to hug the man who'd once posed as her boyfriend and was now a close friend.
"I'm sorry, Martin. I wish I could've..."
"It's not your fault," Martin said brokenly. "Eddie was pretty old."
"Did you...want me to leave you alone with him?"
"No. I've said my goodbyes."
Cora looked at her watch.
"I have another patient to attend to, but Danni will talk to you about what you cand do with the body."
The next few moments were a blur as Danni, the technician, discussed various options. Martin decided to have Eddie's ashes spread in a pet memorial garden in behind the veterinary clinic. Then, without a glance backward, he left the room, Frasier at his side.
The first few minutes of the drive home were filled with a tense silence. Frasier wanted to say something sympathetic to his father, but what? He hated seeing Martin so despondent, yet his experience as a psychiatrist made him more sympathetic toward relationships between humans, not between humans and animals. Finally, all he said was...
"I'm sorry, Dad. About Eddie. I wish I could fix it."
But his words sounded hollow.
"Save it, Fras'. I know you didn't like Eddie. Just...leave me alone, okay?"
Back at Elliot Bay Towers, Martin received the sympathy that his oldest son had struggled to express. Frasier had called Daphne and Niles with the bad news, and they had come to the apartment immediately, letting themselves in. Daphne, always empathetic, as well as having a close connection to Eddie after all her years in Seattle, soothed Martin with gentle words. Niles, who still remembered the death of his cockatoo, Baby, offered advice.
"I know it hurts, Dad. It always will. But it does get easier, over time."
"Thanks, son," Martin said. "And thank you, Daphne. I'm so grateful for such a sweet daughter-in-law."
Frasier remained silent, debating...
A few days later, Martin was just returning from McGinty's. Frasier greeted him with a smile.
"Dad! Come on in. I have something for you."
"Fras, can it wait? I wanted to watch a pre-game show. The Patriots are playing the Dolphins tonight."
"It'll just be a few minutes. Please, Dad?"
"All right, what is it?"
Frasier indicated Martin's chair.
"Sit down."
Frasier put a DVD into the player; a photo of Eddie appeared, and a cheerful song began. It played over photos and video clips of Eddie. A younger Martin holding Eddie for the first time. Eddie staring at Frasier. A video of Martin trying to teach Eddie how to play dead.
And the song continued on throughout the video.
I love my dog as much as I love you
You may fade but my dog will always come through.
The video finished with a photo of Martin, Frasier, and Daphne dressed in ridiculous Christmas attire. Martin was holding Eddie, who sported a pair of 'antlers'.
All the pay I need comes shinin' through his eyes
Don't need no cold water to make me realize
I love my dog as much as I love you...
"Fras', did you do this?" Martin asked, turning to his son in disbelief.
"Yeah. I scanned those photos of Eddie and added the videos and music. Freddie taught me how to use the editing software when he visited last week. And I remembered that song playing when Alice was showing Ariel at the charity dog show last year. Now I'm glad that Roz dragged me along," he laughed.
Martin stood up as he tried and failed to hide the tears in his eyes.
"Thank you, Frasier. I mean it. That was wonderful."
Frasier hugged Martin.
"It was nothing, Dad. You know, I kind of miss Eddie, too. I miss seeing how happy he made you. I even miss him staring at me across the table."
Martin smiled.
"Well, maybe, someday...when it doesn't hurt so much...I can get another dog. Doesn't that sound like a good idea?"
Frasier smiled back.
"Whatever you want, Dad."
Dedicated to Princess, my first dog.
2002-2015
I'll love you forever, pretty girl.
(Quoted song is 'I Love My Dog' as performed by Cat Stevens)