Lily the Golden Retriever came to live with us three years ago. We had known her and her buddy the Sheltie Lightning since they were puppies because they belonged to Jack’s sister’s family. She and Lightning used to stay here a lot when their family was traveling. Lily was not able to adjust when her family moved to Denver, so she and Lightning came to live with us.
She has had several health crises the past two years. An autoimmune disease prematurely aged her. She has had several bouts of pneumonia. I thought she was dieing in early December but she rallied that night after I restarted the antibiotics. She has been on antibiotics at least half the time for eighteen months. Two months ago I decided to keep her on antibiotics full time because she tried to cough up a lung every time I stopped.
A couple of weeks ago, she started occasionally ignoring her meals, though she was still keen for people food and dog treats. She stopped eating her meals completely three days ago, though she would take dog treats from our hands.
This morning, she had her morning dog biscuit, but once again ignored her breakfast. She went out with the other dogs into the new field when I fed horses. She snatched a slice of bread that Jack offered her. (This dog used to eat whole loaves when she could steal them.)
At noon today, I went out to find her collapsed on her bed in the mudroom. She has been spending a lot of time out there the past two weeks. She did not react when I called her sharply. We called the vet requesting euthanasia but her vet couldn’t come until tomorrow morning. I checked her every twenty minutes to make sure she didn’t seem to be in pain. A little after one, I realized she was very, very still. She looked like she was just peacefully asleep.
So sorry to hear about your doggie’s death, Elaine. Another dear pet has passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Don’t know which is worse, outliving your pets, or them outliving you. I’m sorry she’s gone, but you’ve done pretty well by her.
I’m so sorry to read of Lily’s passing Elaine. You were good to her and she was loved.
Ah, Elaine – I am so very sorry to hear of Lily’s demise. I sounds as if she had a peaceful passing in her own bed, close to those she loved.
I’ll be keeping you especially in my thoughts in the days ahead.
Much love,
Roz xxx
What a lovely expression on Lily in that photo. My thoughts with you and yours — especially Lightning — at this time.
I am so sorry about Lily. You did everything you could and gave her a second chance at being loved!
Vickie
So sorry to hear this, Elaine. It sounds like a “best of all possible paths,” considering the whole. There was love and peace. May your grief be healing.
I am so sorry to hear about Lily. It is like losing a family of the family when a dog dies.