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.
