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  1. #1
    Senior Dog
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    Saying goodbye to Kimber

    Last weekend, Kimber was sleeping in bed next to me and kept bumping her head into my leg. I finally turned the light on to see what was going on, and realized that when she was lying on her side, she couldn't get herself up or turn over. I helped her up, but thought, Oh, this is NOT good. In the following week, it was easy to see how she was struggling. She so wanted to go on walks, but we'd only go down to the end of the driveway and she'd ask to turn around. I laid a tracking trail for her with cheese, and she fell repeatedly while trying to follow the trail. She started doing a little spin to try and keep herself from falling, but at times, we would have to hold her back end up to get her back to the house. Even scarier, her front legs would sometimes go out and she'd do a face plant.

    In the house, she spent most of her time sleeping. Only rarely could she get herself up from a prone position; I would listen carefully for the panting to let me know she was awake and needed assistance. One time she even barked to get attention- a very, very rare occurrence. She was pooping in the house an average of once a day, even when awake. I think her back end was almost gone. One of the features of Facebook is a rememberance, "On this day" feature, which shows posts from 1 year ago, 2 years ago, etc. There was a flurry of Kimber videos and photos we posted a few years ago and it brought home just how much mobility she's lost- and how much happier she seemed then.

    Years ago, DH and I had agreed that Kimber's "time" would be when she could no longer do her 3 favorite things: playing with frisbees, hiking in the woods, swimming. Well, that time came and went, and we rationalized ignoring it. Our new time was "chronic distress or pain." Kimber was very calm and very stoic, even by lab standards. If she showed signs of suffering or anxiety, that meant things were serious.

    Thursday night, we went to a friend's house for dinner. When we got home, we looked all over for Kimber- and found her stuck in a room with the door closed. She must've walked in and somehow knocked the door so it shut her in, with her stuck on the wood floor unable to move. My poor baby. That night, she again got stuck while trying to move in her sleep. She couldn't seem to get settled, so DH got up with her and took her outside.

    With many tears, he told me Kimber fell down while trying to pee, got herself almost up, then fell again and when he helped her up, she was shaking and shivering. He cuddled her and stroked her, but it took a while to calm her out of her panic.

    We cried and held each other, and agreed: it was time.

    That morning, we gave her lots of treats, walked her around the yard, and loved on her as much as she'd allow. We kept the mood as positive as possible, so when DH pulled up the truck to take her the vet and said, "Wanna go for a ride?" she wagged her tail and hobbled over, thrilled for a trip.

    And that's my last memory of her. DH asked me not to go to the vet because he wanted her to think this was just a normal visit, with cookies and scratches and attention. We both knew I'd cry the whole time. He said afterwards the plan worked; he was able to hold it together until the drive home.

    Thank you to the board, and this section in particular, for all the conversations about making this heartbreaking decision. I take comfort in that we did not wait until she was in crisis, and that she had a long, good life, filled with love and attention.

    Hugs to all the senior owners.
    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



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    MontananDakota (01-30-2018), WhoopsaDaisy (02-04-2018)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog
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    May 2014
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    Ellicott City, MD
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    Kimber will certainly be missed on the board.

    Run Free, sweet girl...

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    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  5. #3
    Best Friend Retriever LucyTudeOn4Feet's Avatar
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    May 2014
    Location
    Tampa Bay
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    Crying big tears for you, your husband and Kimber. Sending you hugs.
    Godspeed, sweet girl.
    Last edited by LucyTudeOn4Feet; 01-27-2018 at 02:17 PM. Reason: big oops

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to LucyTudeOn4Feet For This Useful Post:

    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  7. #4
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    May 2014
    Location
    Colorado
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    So sorry. It was time and now she's running free. Maybe she'll see the crazy Griff and Grace up on the bridge!

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    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  9. #5
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Central NJ
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    So sorry, but it definitely sounds like it was the best decision for her. Never easy though, even when you know it’s right. (((HUGS)))
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

    Hidden Content

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    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  11. #6
    Senior Dog Blackboy98's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    St. Louis, Mo.
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    Thanked: 1464
    Tears flowing in abundance, brings back memories of my Cracker the last night.

    Bifrost (pronounced "BEEF-roast) is the Norse name of the Rainbow Bridge. I find it comforting that the Bridge has food connected with its history and that our dogs (and cats) cross the wonderful structure to get to a much better place without pain, fear or any sort of distress, just waiting to see us again.

    to all who are tearful this week. Just one more
    Hidden Content

    CRACKER-My Heart Dog FOREVER 6/10/2005-7/9/2011

    Mike and Gabe--GOTCHA 7/25/2011

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    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  13. #7
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    May 2014
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    Eastern Ontario Canada
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    I cried after reading your post yesterday and again with this.

    I have no wise words. Actually, I have no words. I am so sorry. Kimber will be missed by all of us even if we haven't met her.

    That is a good last memory. happy tail wag.

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to Tanya For This Useful Post:

    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  15. #8
    Senior Dog SamsonsMom's Avatar
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    Jun 2016
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    NE Ohio
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    Thank you for such a heartfelt post.

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    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  17. #9
    Best Friend Retriever
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    May 2014
    Location
    Moses Lake
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    I'm so very sorry, & I've got tears here, too, for you and your precious girl......You gave her your loving heart and home, and took such wonderful care of her--no doggie could ask for more. Sending along hugs for you! Run with the wind, Kimber!

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to Mollysmomma For This Useful Post:

    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

  19. #10
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    May 2014
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    Carolina in my mind..
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    Kimber was a special girl with a big heart. We'll miss her as well.

  20. The Following User Says Thank You to smartrock For This Useful Post:

    kimbersmom (01-27-2018)

 



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