Thank you all. Next day, when I had to email all his many friends, I wrote more about my boy. And yes, the 3 girls were and are still a bit off. Frankie was subdued for about 3 hours, but returned to being his 3 year old bundle of energy. Elyse, that is funny, speaking with the vet at the appointment, the tomato is the story I shared!
Writing to let all of Willy's friends know, he went to Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He was 14.5 years; lived with me over 6 years.
Willy had been declining the past year. His chronic eye issues finally meant he was blind; that was expected, and I put it off a long time by administering eye drops for the entire time he lived with me. Willy had severe arthritis in his hips and back knees, was on Deramaxx for that for 4 years. Recently when I took him for a walk his rear end would go down, and I would have to carry him home. And the hardest part: he developed doggie dementia. Getting stuck in corners, or under the coffee table, lost in his own backyard so I would have to go out and get him, forgetting he was at his food dish to eat and wandering off. I had to hand feed him the last 3 weeks, with his leash on, so as he wandered off I could bring him back to me. His appetite was grand; he ate more than any of the other younger, active dogs, yet he was losing weight rapidly. And Willy only felt safe when he was touching me. His favorite spot was snuggled in next to me on the recliner, he would give a sigh of relief and sleep. This meant any time he could not be with me he was whining and barking. Shower time? Downstairs for laundry? Barking in a panic. And while I don't know exactly what happened when I went out grocery shopping, he was hoarse when I returned so I am fairly confident he was barking in a panic the entire time I was gone. It just wasn't fair for him to live like this any longer.
Willy was my challenge dog. Smart, a problem solver, and a 'beta' dog, he was in to everything all the time. He kept me exasperated and laughing at the same time, for the time he lived with me. Once we discovered Agility, he was a changed doggie; Agility was fun! AND he got treats too! He won 3 blue ribbons in competitions. When his arthritis meant he could no longer do the jumps, we switched to Nose Work, and Willy loved the adventure of sniffing out his own treats. "Find it!" was his favorite command.
I learned so much having Willy in my life; no choice, I had to learn in order to live with him ha! I will miss him, and the house was strangely quiet last evening. He'd been whining for some weeks, so that had become the norm around here. He is now reunited with his Poppa Nonno, and a happy healthy boy who will keep the angels busy, I'm sure!
Sandie
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No matter how long their lives, no matter how times we have made that decision, it is never easy; just as hard a decision, just as painful, every time. But as has been said, the empathy of fellow pet people, their love and support, knowing that person has been there and understands the pain and deep sense of loss, it a great comfort. So know all of us here are sharing your grief. Every time a friend loses a pet, it's as though I've lost one of my own. Willy was so blessed to have you as his mommy, Sandie. A doggie couldn't have been any more loved than your precious boy. Run happy and healthy at the Rainbow Bridge, dear Willy, until that happy day you and your mom are together once again.
Originally Posted by Freedom
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