Thursday, December 31, 2009

bye sweet girl.

This is how our dog Missy spent her last day. By the fire, in a warm spot and getting a lot of attention. Today was her last day with us.

This last week has been really hard on her. We knew the time was getting closer, but the last week went downhill pretty quickly. It was almost exactly like the movie Marley and Me. One night she just stood at the bottom of the stairs when it was time for bed and looked like she just didn't have her in it to make it up. Her back legs were not working like they should have been and each step (she sure tried.) she'd try pulling herself up with her front legs. We would carry her up to sleep in her spot under the bed.

Last night I noticed she hadn't even moved an inch from where she went to sleep last night.

This past week she'd go out into the yard and stop and lay down. Like she was looking for a place to go and be alone.... like dogs do.....when they know it's time. With how cold it has been and some snow on the ground this seemed strange. She'd be carried back in and would go into her favorite spot in front of the fireplace.

Yesterday and today she would struggle to get up but her back legs would fail. She had also stopped eating her normal food for the past few days. She was telling us it was time. She did enjoy lots of human treats today.




(above) back in 1998 not enjoying getting a bath.

(above) better and younger days - before Megan was born. (wow.)
So today she goes to see my Katie dog, and Dixie and I'm sure is chasing tennis balls. She was obsessed with them. I mean OBSESSED. - This is hard because she's the last link to life before my kids were born. It seems like such a different time...kind of a time I don't remember much of anymore. She's the last link to my best dog ever Katie (who actually had an emergency euthanasia on Christmas Eve of 2001.)
The vet was a much better experience (if you can call it that.... let's face it....making this decision sucks.) Mike carried her inside and set her on the table. She didn't move. She was in pain, you could tell. She was taken back to have an IV put in, and given a sedative. Something I wish was the experience for our other animals.... this girl was sleepy and not aware when we said our goodbyes. She was just sleeping hard. Then when we were ready the doctor came in and gave her the final shots through the IV without her even waking up. She went from a peaceful sleep into her final one. Damn, it sucks making this decision, but knowing the pain she was in it was time. You could see it in her eyes. This is the worst part of pet ownership. Making a decision when you want to be selfish and keep them around forever.
I say it every time that we have this happen....that I never want another dog. That I never want to experience this again. But we do, we get another dog (Piper) and the cycle will go on. For the amount of pain that you feel when one animal member of your family leaves.... the happiness, frustration and madness of their life with you does really enrich your own. It's just too bad that their lives are so much shorter than our own.
Miss you Mook doggie dog. :(



4 comments:

Lisa said...

i'm sorry! that is so hard to lose a pet. hope you all get through it ok!

Anonymous said...

"Get The Ball Missy" She lived a good long life here on Earth and now the little lady is in Heaven
playing with Katie, Dixie, Charlie,
Chester, Lucky and Taylor!

You'll forever be in our hearts!

DOG..GOD Spelled Backwards.

Give Piper big hug and kiss.

AHS Vol said...

LOUISIANA CATAHOULAS RULE !!

laura said...

oh kerry... i am so sorry. poor thing. i am just dreading this with my dog. just know my heart is with you. love you!!