Bailey's 5th Anniversary

With a friend having lost his dog this week and my own dear Katy turning 13 this week, my thoughts have been returning to Bailey. It is hard to believe its been 5 years, but our dear boy crossed the rainbow bridge 5 years ago today.

I find it hard writing about Bailey because it reminds me of what is to come rather than focusing on what I have today with my other two. However, Katy is coming to that milestone birthday Bailey reached and rather than facing it with fear today I want to celebrate the great joy that both dogs have brought into our lives. It was brutal watching Bailey go in that last year but I can't forget his gentleness, his kindness, and his love of play.

I will always love you my dear boy.

Not Today Mom

Yesterday, I was sure Bailey was ready to make the trip to the bridge today. All the signs were there and the Vet was sure we'd be back to visit today. However, she gave us one more option a shot to make up for the meds he'd refused to take orally and a suggestion for meat baby food. Not having much hope DH picked up a couple of jars of baby food knowing the store collects baby food for the local food pantry and if he didn't eat it, we could donate the unopened jars.

Well Bailey's not ready to leave just yet. I'm not sure how much longer he wants to stay, but he gobbled down two jars of baby food yesterday and two today including one with his oral medications which he's refused to take since last week. When he doesn't take his meds he can't keep food down and eventually stops eating all together, which is what happened over the weekend. This is the sign we've been told to watch for as a sign he's done fighting. When he stops eating and we can't get him started again, it is time to let him go. We thought we had reached that point yesterday. DH had to return to the store for more baby food jars. Honestly, I have no idea how that smell appeals to his stomach as it makes mine turn, but as long as he's eating I can deal.

He also was sniffing in the garden today where Katy's been flushing out the bunnies. He hasn't shown any interest in critters for weeks. His back legs are very weak and since that trip out he's been resting quite a bit.

This may just be that last burst of energy some dogs show at the end. I don't know. I can't think beyond the fact that today we are not visting the Vet to say goodbye to Bailey. Tomorrow and the next day I can't predict. We are cherishing the time we have. The Vet said he'd tell us when it was time to say goodbye. Today's message seems to be not today, Mom. I'm not ready to leave just yet.

Thank you all for your prayers. We are continuing to take this one day at a time. He will let us know when he's ready. We just have to follow his leads. We ask for your continued prayers.

Prayers for Bailey

After a weekend of not eating and being sick to his stomach when he tried, we saw the vet today and the news isn't good. Bailey is refusing the oral meds that were helping him to eat. The vet thinks he's decided he's done. His back legs have recently given out on him and he's struggling with stairs. We decided to give it one more treatment. He got a shot today and we are trying baby food. If this doesn't work, she believes he's making it clear he's done.

We can't argue. The energy he showed at the beginning of this fight is gone. He does seem to have surrendered. However, we are giving him one more chance to decide if he wants to stay or go. It is also giving us time to say goodbye if he truly is ready to go. Our baby boy has certainly fought hard. When we started this journey nobody thought he'd live to see the trick or treaters come to the house once more. Then the goal was Christmas. He made it through his 13th birthday in March. Sadly, I don't think he's going to see Katy's 8th birthday at the end of the month. We ask for prayers to guide us in making the right choices as we continue forward.

Protecting Mr. Magoo

This is not a sponsored post. We have been hunting stores for Multipet talking toys since Bailey got his first one years ago. After about the fifth time the "Oh No Magoo you've done it again who hoo" goes off again I question my logic, but Bailey loves these toys. Don't get me started on the giggling Koala that one is creepy.

DH managed to capture this picture over the weekend of Bailey protecting Magoo with his body. Not sure what the threat was, but he obviously felt strongly about him.

No Official News But Liking New Diet

We wanted to thank our Blogville friends for all your prayers. As we said we don't expect any news from the vet until tomorrow, however, Monday's post was preposted over the weekend since Mom was going to be busy on Monday and wanted to make sure the news got out.

Bailey has been eating his beef and rice diet and hasn't been sick once since he started. He's also tolerating his meds. He's been more active since he started eating and that has made everyone hopeful, too. He even helped Katy flush out a bunny this weekend.

It's the first time in months he hasn't turned his nose up at his bowl. In fact instead of running away from his bowl, he's been fighting to keep it from being picked up off the floor, so he can have one more lick to clean up any last scent of the food. That alone is a wonderful change. That is the way he used to eat with the exception of the summer doldrums, the bowl often moving across the pad to get the last possible crumb. There are no guarantees, but the vet seemed to believe he wouldn't start doing better if the worse diagnosis was true.

We will know more tomorrow and we have lots to learn if it is IBS.