Katy has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Our sweet beautiful Katy died Monday November 7, 2022 after a battle with Cushing disease. I couldn't write about it until now. It was a hard journey. We were spoon feeding her baby food at the end. Our Vet isn't open on Mondays and she was due to see the Vet on Tuesday and it wasn't looking great for that visit as she had even started being unable to keep down the baby food. Monday night she passed away allowing her to die at home on her terms. There are not enough wonderful words to say about how caring and supportive our Vet was through this journey. We are very blessed to have had her for this journey and to continue on with Annie.

Katy was 14 years old and we were very blessed to have adopted her from New England Sheltie Rescue when she was 2 years old over Labor Day Weekend. So she lived to see her 14th birthday and her 12th gotcha day. I still don't have the words to write a tribute for her as the wound still feels so raw. I do plan on posting our Halloween pictures in a separate post as it was our last great holiday celebration and I know in years to come I will be grateful to be able to come back and see how happy she was that night.

Run free my dear girl. I know you were looking for Bailey in those last few days. Your Dog Dad found you in Bailey's donut bed which you had ignored since he died a few days before you passed. I know he was there waiting for you. Peace my dear girl. All your pain is gone and you are with the one who has waited for you for some time now.

Remembering Bailey

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years already, but time does fly. We haven't forgotten you baby boy. I do find it funny that even though Annie is so much smaller than you, people who haven't seen us in a while just remember us having one light and one dark Sheltie and are shocked to realize Annie has been with us for almost 2 years now.

We were truly blessed that of all the people who could have adopted an adorable rare Sheltie puppy to be available in rescue somehow you found us. I will never stop being grateful for that. You brought such joy and kindness where ever you went. Sadly, I think you might have missed your calling as a therapy dog. You had all the natural instincts that just can't be taught.

Enjoy your freedom over the Rainbow Bridge dear boy. You have earned your wings.

Bailey Has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Yesterday morning our Vet very compassionately and caringly helped Bailey to cross the bridge.

It became clear over the weekend that the baby food strategy wasn't working. When we tried to add solid food back in, his stomach rejected it and he soon no longer could eat the baby food, either. He fought hard, but his Vet believes the Lymphoma diagnosis may in fact have been the correct one. Bailey just managed to hold off the symptoms longer than expected. Perhaps an early start on steroids may have regressed it's growth for a bit. What ever the delay we can only be grateful that instead of losing him before Halloween, we had him until yesterday. We were grateful for every extra moment.

Our Vet isn't open on Mondays and I must say selfishly it was a relief. Katy, Bailey and I spent the day together. As you can see in the picture we brought his bed downstairs and he spent much of the day resting in it. This in itself was a sign things were not right. Bailey hated changes in the environment. I once tried moving his bed downstairs when he was sick and he got all agitated and upset. Monday I knew it was the right move. The bed provided maximum head, back, and behind support and he was comfortable lounging in it.

We also spent some time in the back yard. Bailey had a short burst of energy scrambling along the fence to say goodbye to an old friend.

Katy was until the end an amazing companion. She stayed close to him comforting him and encouraging him. The vet said she understood more than we did what was happening and I must say I agree. When Bailey had to stay overnight for testing, Katy was inconsolable until Bailey arrived safely home the next day, at which point she sniffed him from head to tail. I dreaded her reaction to us coming home without Bailey this time. However, she seems to know he's gone. She didn't look for him at the door when we came in. When she counted Bill and I, she turned back from the door and settled down. She didn't look for Bailey, which she's always done when we've had to take him without her. The Vet was right again.

I have to thank our incredible Vet for her assistance during this journey. Since we started seeing her when we brought Bailey home as a puppy from rescue there have never been any stupid or silly questions, she has addressed each one with practical honest answers. As we approached this difficult time she encouraged, supported, and cheered each victory with us. She offered so much help and guidance in finding ways to keep Bailey eating. When it came time to say goodbye, nobody could have handled it with more compassion and made us feel like family.

It is amazing how many lives Bailey touched in his 13 years. People keep reminding us of their favorite Bailey story. He had a unique ability to reach out to humans and dogs alike finding ways to comfort and entertain. Run free over the bridge my brave one. You have more than done your duty here on earth. You will always be our baby boy.

The Evil Cancer Strikes Uncle Shadow

Dear Paw Friends we are asking for all your dog prayers and wishes. Our Grandma's best pal Shadow, a Miniature Schnauzer has terminal cancer and grandma is devastated. Shadow gave Grandma the strength to get through the loss of Grandpa to cancer and she just lost her sister, Mom's Aunt, to cancer a couple of years ago. We are praying that Shadow has an easy trip over the Rainbow Bridge and that Grandma is able to deal with another loss to the evil cancer.