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I have so many other posts to do, but Bailey deserves this first.
We had to put our sweet Labrador Retriever down today. She's been going down hill since Christmas. She wasn't eating as well and I knew she was just getting old. Then in mid January, she started wheezing. Wheezing isn't even the word. She'd gasp for air on and off, not very often, but enough to worry us. Come to find out, one side of her larynx was paralyzed/had collapsed. She still had use of the other side, but the vet said it was only a matter of time. He said it could take a while, but at some point the other side would collapse.
He told us that 12 is a very impressive age for a Lab. He said that he wouldn't be surprised if old age caught up with her before the other side of her larynx collapsed. He said we could do surgery, but at 12 years old, I just wanted to let her live her last days at home, as happy as she could be. So, we spent the next month loving her as much as possible, not knowing when her last days would be.
This past weekend she started REALLY gasping for air. The sound was horrible. The look on her face was even worse. I took her to the vet today knowing what he was going to say. He walked in with a sad look on his face and said it was obvious the other side had collapsed. Her tongue and gums were literally blue with every gasp she took. At this point, there was nothing that could be done for her. I told him I didn't want her to do this anymore and he said, "I think you're making the best decision you can for her." That helped.
I stayed with her the entire time, sobbing and reminding her that she is going to be able to play with all of her friends up in heaven. She went quickly and peacefully. My heart is just broken. I have no other way to say how I'm feeling right now.
Goodbye Bailey. We love you and miss you already. You lived a good life and you were a great dog.
I'm so sorry. I'm crying reading this post. I am a huge dog lover and it's just so hard. Why can't they live to be old like us? Dog years just aren't enough time! Big hugs! It sounds like Bailey was a very special, sweet dog.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard the story about the young boy who had to put his dog down with his family. I found it in my email for you -
ReplyDeleteA Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year old)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owner's, Ron, his wife, Lisa and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as thought Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter then human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that , so they don't have to stay as long."
Bailey definitely knew how to do that. Hugs Katy, I can't even imagine.
Again, I'm so sorry. My heart breaks for you guys. Those are great pics you've captured of Bailey & Mady. I don't look forward to the days when I have to say goodbye to ours.
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs!
I am so sorry for your loss. Bailey looks like such a wonderful member of your family.
ReplyDelete