Friday Flowers: Lavender Iris

Mom couldn't believe how beautiful the Iris were this year. She hasn't seen this particular Iris bloom in a bit and had to capture it to remember it.

Happy 8th Birthday Katy!

Happy Birthday dear girl. It is hard to believe you are 8 today. You run like the wind and have the energy of a young pup. You have been so strong and caring during all of Bailey's challenges. It is time for you to relax and enjoy yourself. You have more than earned it.

We went shopping for her birthday and she got to sniff out some new bully sticks along with a new toy. While nervous making her first solo shopping trip she found if she took the back aisles to the target areas she was less nervous than pursuing the main shopping aisles where most of the shoppers gathered.

Dog Dad has promised we will still celebrate with a dog bakery birthday cookie.

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.

Friday Flowers

While the Iris have a short bloom season, especially with the rain we've had this season, I've loved collecting different colors that now have spread across my yard and those of friends and family, too. My collection started with family and I added to it with flowers from local garden clubs' sales and green houses.

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.

Wordeless Wednesday: Katy in the Garden

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.