RIP my little boy. See post #45 for the intro I posted in 2013 and a few updates along the way since then. A week ago he suddenly developed debilitating pain in his neck and back. Over 3 days we worked with the ER docs and determined oral meds would not work, the only relief he felt was from narcotics. At 10 1/2 years old with all his pre-existing conditions, recovery from any kind of spinal surgery to address the source of the pain was not in the cards.
We had him since he was a puppy. At 1.5 years he began to develop some serious health issues. In the years that followed, we struggled trying to find better doctors, more answers and trying different things to help him along. With persistence and time we did eventually find a routine to manage his issues and 95% of the time he was a happy puppy. Most of our neighbors only saw him when he was feeling well and had no idea he had serious health issues. But that 5% was rough for him. Still, he always bounced back happier than ever and lived a beautiful life. A friend reminded me that this pandemic gave us the chance to spend our days with him 24/7 for the last year, and boy did he love that!
I’ve lost a dog before, but this one has been more difficult than I could imagine. We were his full time nurses and advocates most of his life. We fired one vet and one internal medicine specialist when it became clear they lacked the diagnostic skills we needed to help him. We were fortunate to eventually find good doctors and and dog walkers to help us with all his special needs. For the last 6 years we never left him, except to go to work or run to the store. Everything in our house and lives revolved around him and his needs and the hole left by his passing is almost unbearable. Once we make peace with this loss, we hope someday we will welcome another golden into our home. I’ve already reached out and learned most breeders are holding off this year or pre-sold 2021 litters. At least in my neighborhood, I’ve seen a surge in new dogs over the last year, so maybe it’s no surprise due to the pandemic.
Peter and Cheese, if you read this, give yours a giant hug.
RIP Chili. No more pain, no more suffering, but please don’t swallow any more engagement rings up there! You can eat all the food you want! (The pic shows his pursed lips as he complains because I’m not getting up to give him a meal)
We had him since he was a puppy. At 1.5 years he began to develop some serious health issues. In the years that followed, we struggled trying to find better doctors, more answers and trying different things to help him along. With persistence and time we did eventually find a routine to manage his issues and 95% of the time he was a happy puppy. Most of our neighbors only saw him when he was feeling well and had no idea he had serious health issues. But that 5% was rough for him. Still, he always bounced back happier than ever and lived a beautiful life. A friend reminded me that this pandemic gave us the chance to spend our days with him 24/7 for the last year, and boy did he love that!
I’ve lost a dog before, but this one has been more difficult than I could imagine. We were his full time nurses and advocates most of his life. We fired one vet and one internal medicine specialist when it became clear they lacked the diagnostic skills we needed to help him. We were fortunate to eventually find good doctors and and dog walkers to help us with all his special needs. For the last 6 years we never left him, except to go to work or run to the store. Everything in our house and lives revolved around him and his needs and the hole left by his passing is almost unbearable. Once we make peace with this loss, we hope someday we will welcome another golden into our home. I’ve already reached out and learned most breeders are holding off this year or pre-sold 2021 litters. At least in my neighborhood, I’ve seen a surge in new dogs over the last year, so maybe it’s no surprise due to the pandemic.
Peter and Cheese, if you read this, give yours a giant hug.
RIP Chili. No more pain, no more suffering, but please don’t swallow any more engagement rings up there! You can eat all the food you want! (The pic shows his pursed lips as he complains because I’m not getting up to give him a meal)
