Hello, I am back. I have been taking a much needed break from crafting and creating and blogging. Although it is normally very good therapy for me to create and blog and share, my heart just hasn't been in it lately. We recently lost our very sweet dog of 8 years. She had a very serious heart condition and we have spent the last 4 months in and out of the doggie ICU and vet's offices with her. She has been a part of our family since she was 8 weeks old and had truly stolen our hearts. She had a very fun and quirky and sweet personality. She would suck her paw to go to sleep and had this funny little way of wagging her stubby little tail. She was the sweetest puppy I have ever known. She brought us a lot of joy and happiness over the last 8 years. It amazes me how deeply embedded an animal can become in your heart and how very, very difficult saying goodbye can be.
She went into heart failure several times and each time we took her to the ICU to spend the night in an oxygen cage and basically stabilize her. She had her own cardiologist and we became pretty well known at the vet. She was a very popular patient! All of the student aides (it was a teaching hospital) loved her too. We decided that if she went into heart failure again that we were not going to put her through spending the night in the oxygen cage again as it was very stressful for her. On Dec 9th (only 9 days after her last episode) she went into heart failure again. We drove her to the vet knowing it would be the last time. Although she was still perky and happy and playful her quality of life was beginning to diminish. Her lung capacity had decreased greatly and even going down the front steps was leaving her winded.
Her cardiologist was kind enough to come in at 11:30pm on a Sunday night to be present and say her own goodbyes. We were very fortunate in that she received amazing care by very loving people.
After a lot of discussion we decided to donate her to the hospital so that they could learn from her disease and hopefully help other sweet pups with the same condition.
Zoe, you will be missed more than any silly words could even begin to express. You will forever be present in our hearts sucking your paw and wagging your funny little tail. Lots and lots of love, sweet girl.
Zoe Bryant
October 12th, 2004 - December 9th, 2012
She looks so sweet AM. I am sorry for your loss. They truly are a part of your family. You still have all the wonderful memories in your heart.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your loss. Just know that she is no longer in pain and that you have all those memories of her from the time you got to spend together.
ReplyDeleteBig HUGS!!! I love the pics you shared with us of her and her kitty.
ReplyDeleteOh Ann-Marie, my heart aches for you. I'm so sorry to hear of sweet Zoe's journey to heaven and hope that my sweet Brandy will meet her at the Rainbow Bridge :*)
ReplyDeleteBe well, my friend, and know that those of us that have walked the walk share your pain and grief and I send you the BIGGEST hugs!
x0x0
AnnMarie, she is just so sweet. I am so sorry for loss. It is never easy losing someone you love.
ReplyDeleteOh Ann Marie, I am so sorry. Your girl looks so sweet in those pictures. I do hope that your family's fond memories will help you move forward. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and sending you a big hug during your time of heart break and sorrow. It's so sad to lose someone you love. Your story hit me particularly hard as we will face the same choice soon with our old guy Murphy. He's losing ground fast and I know it will be kinder to ease his pain one day soon. Thank you for sharing your story and take care.
ReplyDeletewhat a sweet face! Sorry for your loss - I know how hard it is. We had to decide last February about our beagle, Molly. She was 15 or 16 years old and had had her since she was 3 or 4. Miss her every day. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteAnn Marie, this brought tears to my eyes. She is so adorable and so sweet from your story. It was a hard decision but it's hard to see loved ones suffer. You and your family made the right decision. God bless.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry! I am just now getting caught up on my blog visits and saw your post. I know how difficult that decision is to make and all of the love that you feel for her. They most definitely become part of the family in a way that some don't understand. My heart aches for you and your family as you cope with your loss. Sending lots of love and cyber hugs!!
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