I'm in tears. Hugs to you and Faye. May the angels carry Achilles swiftly and gently to the sides of his friends who have gone before.
We let go of Achilles yesterday.
Early in the morning he was fine - interested in eating, ate well, wanted to go out, gratefully accepted an ear scritch. Something happened late morning or early afternoon. He had a poopcident which was unheard of. His energy level dropped dramatically from a few hours previous. He was not himself, had difficulty getting up and standing, and he gave me the look I know too well. 'I don't feel good.' Uninterested in food which is always a bad thing. Off to the e-vet.
The vet found a thready pulse and difficulty hearing a heart beat. His feet were noticeably colder than his legs and body, suggesting circulatory problems. She was concerned that there was fluid inside the pericardium and suggested an X-ray. It might not have revealed the cause. If it did it was almost certainly not a good thing. An EKG or ultrasound likely though not certainly would; the vet candidly confessed that her skills with that technology were not that good, so we would have had to wait until Monday. The vet twice said she suspected something sinister (her exact word) was going on. At his age (14? 16?), what should we do? After all it was his life, his quality of life.
We decided to let go. Perhaps we could have brought him home one final time but decided to let go there. So his Bentley glows brightly here, there, everywhere.
When we adopt a dog we implicitly make a bargain that we will be a responsible owner, which includes making difficult decisions.
This is the part of that bargain that really sucks.
Nonetheless I would not have it otherwise. As my brother wrote this morning, It really sucks that our dear four legged friends will almost certainly die before we do. Even knowing that I would not give up the love, affection, friendship and fun they give us.
A few photos.
Not long after coming home, he led Stella and Corndog on a chase game.
He really disliked the Dyson.
Nothing like a good roll.
Off to Canada.
At our new home.
Snow didn't bother him much.
Oh no, he's not relaxed. Oh no not at all.
That tongue.
Christmas photo shoot with Rex, Kendal, and Stella.
At the beach with Kendal and Stella.
He busted our neighbour's cat for trespassing in our backyard.
The other day.
Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy
Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles
I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .
I'm in tears. Hugs to you and Faye. May the angels carry Achilles swiftly and gently to the sides of his friends who have gone before.
Mr Kleb (03-24-2019)
Im am so sorry for your loss. Run free Achilles.
Mr Kleb (03-24-2019)
Tears flowing for your dear Achilles, but what a wonderful life he had with his family- a dog could ask no more.
Run free sweet boy.
Mr Kleb (03-24-2019)
smartrock, thanks. I don't doubt he's running, jumping, playing with all of them.
Jollymolly, thanks also. Since we came from Texas Ive been wearing my Longhorns cap all day.
Gabe, thank you. We had 13 great years.
-----------------
He may have been one of the last dogs from the early board. I first posted about him in May or early June 2006.
The veterinary clinic our vet's a member of has a wonderful opportunity. You can buy a tree and plant it in a park in Chatham. We will definitely do that this fall.
Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy
Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles
I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .
Jollymolly (03-24-2019)
I’m so sorry for your loss. Run free, good boy.
Stormageddon, Princess of Darkness, aka "Stormy"
Birthday 9-13-18, Gotcha Day 11-11-18
Hidden Content
Miss Kimber, CGC, 6/15/2005-1/27/2018 forever in our hearts
Mr Kleb (03-25-2019)
I am very sad, and very sorry to see this. I too make that promise to my dogs that I will always do what's best for them, no matter how badly it may hurt me. My deepest condolences to you and Faye for the loss of your dear friend. You can take comfort in knowing that in the end, you helped him maintain his dignity as he crossed over to the other side.
Mr Kleb (03-25-2019)
No....I am so sorry. Mercifully, his last hours happened at a time that you could take quick action (as opposed to overnight and unseen)...he knew you were going to keep him as calm and pain-free as possible. I absolutely believe that dogs who are given a good life and shown love all along, somehow know at the end that their humans will continue to keep them "safe"...and take a good measure of comfort in that.
Achilles definitely had a great life. He'll be missed on the board as well as at your house.
Run Free, sweet Chili Dog...
(he was doing a good fox imitation, staring at the Dyson)
Mr Kleb (03-25-2019)
I am so sorry for your loss. He had a great life with you and Faye.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Mr Kleb (03-25-2019)
Im so sorry. Rest easy Achilles
Mr Kleb (03-25-2019)
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