Shadow went to sleep on the Lord today. I originally made the vet appt for this afternoon because they 'had medications for incontinence'. But she had been doing poorly and worse today. She would not eat, she could barely get up, she would go out and wander in the snow, couldn't get comfortable. At one point, she had collapsed in the ivy and the snow and could not get up. Eventually she did manage to get herself back up. I really really thought that I would not be returning from the vet with her. I called Susanna to help and she agreed to come when she got off work. We barely could get her into the car. First thing she did was pee on the vet's floor. Temperature 105 (that's high for a dog). Vet could feel a large mass in her abdomen. Large dog 14-15 years old, in pain, not eating, very debilitated. What to do? The vet said we could take her home and bring her back in tomorrow but I couldn't see putting her through the discomfort again. The vet felt she had only a few days left. I was glad that I had Susanna and Naomi with me. We went ahead and put her down, I stayed in the room.
I wept and wept. Gentle Shadow always loved being a pet and being around people. She loved her walk every day. She never hurt a soul, she loved kids. Always mellow, she thought being sacked out on the couch was a great way to spend the afternoon. She had a special relationship with our cat Starbaby. Mostly she was MY dog, she waited for me, moped when I was gone, greeted me and danced on my return and followed me around until the last day.
I'm glad she had a walk yesterday and she never fell down the deck stairs.
A good good dog, one of the best. I will miss her mightily.
Undated picture, maybe Susanna and Ilana were in 8th and 6th grade? Which would make Shadow about 3. Keep in mind Ilana is now a senior in college.
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