Princess died yesterday. She lived with us for four and a half years and was around 10 – 11 years old. I had been concerned about her health for a while, but thought she was doing better because she ran to retrieve her ball and went for longer and longer walks with me and Angel. I had decided to take her to the vet to check on this fat around her belly that seemed more and more like bloating to me, but with my own doctor and therapy appointments last week, I thought it could wait until next week. Then Friday evening, she stared to bleed from her rectum when she tried to use the bathroom. Not a lot, but I knew something terrible was going on.
So I took her yesterday morning as a walk-in patient at our local animal hospital. I was fortunate that my vet was there and he was the one who saw her. He said her stomach was so full of fluids that he couldn't see anything on the X-rays they took. His best guess was that she had a tumor in her GI tract somewhere that was bleeding into her stomach and that the fluid was blood. He said the rectal exam produced nothing but blood. He said he didn't want to put her through exploratory surgery because the outcome would most likely be bad.
So the kind and humane thing to do was to euthanize her. We called my husband in LA and the vet talked to him, my husband cried, but he agreed this was the only thing to do. My husband said, "Kiss her from me and tell her I love her so much." When Princess came in the room, she looked so bad from what she had been through, being examined. She lay down beside me and I just sat there and hugged her and kissed her sweet head. Then the vet came in and Princess left this world in the hands of this very, very kind man and with her mommy at her side. It was very peaceful and calm. The vet gave me a hug and I went to my car and cried and cried. And that's about all I have done since.
When I came home, of course both Angel and Soldier were looking for her. Soldier went to the car and whined like he does. Angel walked around looking dazed. I know this will pass, but it is so hard for me to watch. They are both calmer this morning and I felt if I wrote this and posted it, I would be too. I will write Princess's story soon, she helped us so much in the short time she lived with us. She was my only farm dog, dog blogger, and sweetest, most well behaved dog. Probably the smartest too, but she didn't like to show off. I know you guys will miss her too…she told some good stories, didn't she?
I will always love you, my sweet girl.
Oh Inger. I am so saddened to hear this. I know that Princess held a special spot in your heart. She was a wonderful dog, and that has always been evident in your posts about her, and in her wonderful post, also.
ReplyDeleteShe will be with you always, of course, in your heart and mind. I'm sorry for the pain you must be going through right now. You did the right thing for her, gave her the comfort of rest when she most needed it, in spite of the fact that it hurt you so.
Cyber ((((((((((Hugs))))))))) from someone who would give you real ones if only I were closer.
I am so so sorry for your loss. I don't really know what to say... it is so difficult and I know only time can help. And it will. Lots of hugs to you and the gang.
ReplyDeleteHow terribly sad.....I'm so sorry. I know how awful it is to have your best friend put to sleep even if you know it was for the best. hugs...xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, Inger, I wish I could give you a hug, I know how close you were with Princess. She was a beautiful dog in body and spirit. I am crying too, for you and for Princess. I am sorry for your loss.
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Thank you Louise, I walked with Angel and told her she had to be my farm dog now. Don't know how that will work b/c she has a mind of her own and things she knows it all. Cyberhugs work.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Thanks for the hugs.
ReplyDeleteTracey: It is sooo hard, but it was for the best for her. Thanks for the hugs.
Sharon: Thank you so much. I will feel better now that I have shared this with you guys. You help me more than you will ever know.
My dear Inger My heart goes out to you I know how Sad it is to lose a beloved pet (as they are one of the Family)_ Time does help but they are never forgotten as they are always in our hearts ~ You did the right thing for her as she is now at peace ♥ u Ally x
ReplyDeleteOh, dear. I don't know what to say. I know that losing a pet is heart wrenching for me, so I will just say this.
ReplyDeleteHugs for you, and may you be blessed with more fur friends when the time is right. Be cheered with the memories of the time you had, and be strong with the friends you have (furred and not.)
Take care.
Cat
Thank you, Cat, you are right, I will have so many wonderful memories of her.
ReplyDeleteInger I am so sorry for your loss, but bless you for making the compassoate wise decision.
ReplyDeleteThe photo is lovely , It speaks of your home and the expression says, "Follow me, there is adventure over there"
Upupaepops: My husband took the photo in 2006.Princess survived on this harsh land in the winter,from Christmas to Februrary, when she found him. We met someone who knew her story. I will tell it soon. This helped me a lot, thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh Inger I am so sorry to hear about Princess, I know how much she meant to you. It is so hard to loose such a trusted friend. Hugs from me.
ReplyDeleteInger, I am so very, very sorry to hear this sad news ... I am in tears as I type this, after having read your post when I logged on this morning. All I can say, as a fellow dog lover who has been through this same thing before, is that my heart goes out to you. You know you made the right decision - even though it is a hard one - and you know that Princess is in a much better, pain free place now. But I know, it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. Take comfort from Angel and Soldier ... and know that you have to carry on and keep smiling for them, and that you are united in your grief. Sending you big, comforting hugs all the way from Africa this morning, my friend ..... xx
ReplyDeleteTina: You are right, she was my trusted friend. The only dog here, I felt I could trust implicitly to know and do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteLynda: Dogs have such a huge place in our hearts, don't they? I played with Angel and Soldier this morning and it made us all feel better. Thank you for the hugs, they do help a lot.
I am crying as I am reading about your ordeal with Princess. I know how special she was to you and am so sorry you had to do this alone. I sensed you felt somehow responsible since you mentioned putting off the vet visit to take care of your own injury... that is truly not the case.. I'm sure the outcome would have been the same even if you had taken her in earlier in the week. You love Princess so much and she was a special dog and wonderful friend. I will miss her blogs and look forward to her story to treasure her as much as you do. Take care my friend, grieve while you must and love the two wonderful dogs you still have. Your losses have been great, first Bandit and now Princess but they will always be with you in your heart and Angel and Solder are still with you. Hugs from me, and please take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteoh, I am sitting here sobbing out loud for you and for Princess. Oh, I am so heartbroken every time I hear about such loss.
ReplyDeleteWhen we lost our dear girl I honestly felt like it was the end of the world. I wrote about it here:
http://pollyspath.blogspot.com/2009/11/empty-rooms.html
Tänkt på dig idag Inger och känner md dig. Princess bortgång fick mig att sakna min lilla prins mycket. Känns som det var nyss min lilla sprang här hos mig.
ReplyDeleteMassor med kramar från mig i Stockholm
Retired Girl: Thank you for the hugs and caring. A week would have made no difference, but I noticed a while ago she wasn't herself. If I could have driven a car, I would have taken her, but the outcome most likely would have been the same. At least I played ball with her every day for the past few weeks and she loved it so much.
ReplyDeletePolly: All of us who love animals have to go through this. I wish they would live longer, but they don't. Thank you for your support. I will read your post.
Petra: Kara vannen min, tack for att du laste och kommenterade om det har. Jag grater fortfarande. Men jag tycker du ska skaffa dig en hund nu. Jag tror du behover en att krama och pyssla om. Kram fran Inger
ReplyDeletere: what you just sent me..oh, that was not my intention, although I know from experience that crying will come easily for the next little while. Like you said, it is the price we pay for loving another creature like we do, but I also sent you to this post to let you know there is hope and there is healing. Back in November I didn't believe that a day would come when I would be willing to take in another dog, or even smile ever again...but the sun came out.
ReplyDeleteOh Inger I am so sorry. You were so lucky to be able to share her life. So many memories you have. Hugs.
ReplyDeletePrincess, sleep well dear girl. See you on the other side.
I am so sorry you lost your Princess.
ReplyDeleteI think all of us feel so fortunate to have "known" Princess through her stories on your blog. She was a very special girl. I am so, so sorry for your pain. When we love so deep and so true, saying goodbye is almost impossible. My thoughts are with you, your kind husband, Soldier, Angel and Samson today.
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Beautifully told, brought tears to my eyes. So sorry, Inger.
ReplyDeleteLiz
I came across your blog from a link by AJ-Oaks.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been reading your stories of Princess, but so understand your pain, having lost two dogs in the last year. One of ours also had internal bleeding and we elected not to do surgery.
Your vet is wonderful to provide the guidance and support to help you make the must humane decision. It's hard to let them go, but harder still to see them suffer.
My thoughts are with you and your husband.
I'm hoping all of the wonderful memories will make her loss easier to bear.
Polly: It was OK -- I have plenty of tears after all. And I'm blessed to have my two dogs up here and Samson with my husband in LA.
ReplyDeleteCindy: Yes, I was lucky -- she ws a great dog.
Terry: Thank you.
Danni: I'm so glad you enjoyed Princess's stories. I thought she was a great dog blogger.
Ninny: Thank you so much.
Livingadream2: Thank you so much for stopping by and I am so sorry about your losses. Princess was a dog blogger. She would write about her adventures on my blog. She was a great dog. Thanks for your kindness in sharing about your dog's illness.
My heart breaks for your ordeal... You made me cry in your recounting of Princess' death. As someone who had the privilege of knowing her, she was truly a very sweet & beautiful girl. My deepest sympathies to you and Errol & the rest of your canine family. It's interesting how animals bring us (in my opinion) our greatest joys & yet our greatest grief. It is worth it, though, because their place in our hearts lasts forever. All my love to you....
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