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Today I had to help my sweet Sydney to the Bridge. You may have been following our saga in the "Senior" section, a few weeks ago I noticed a growth in Sydney's mouth. I took her to the Vet and the news wasn't good. There was also a mass in her lung that had doubled in size since Sept '07. Her bloodwork was ok, but given everything, the Vet's didn't think surgery would be an option. I decided to enjoy the time we had left and spoiled her as much as I could. A couple of weeks ago she was ill and it seemed her time was drawing closer and the oral mass had increased in size. The Vet gave her some IV steroids & IV antibiotics, she had a high fever. The next day she was feeling better & the Vet's sent home prednisone and antibiotics. She was doing pretty well until just a few days ago. The mass was even larger and it would bleed occasionally. Through it all Sydney was a trooper and continued to eat and go about her daily activities the best she could. On Tuesday she started to fade, she just lost some of her sparkle and seemed not to feel as well. I had been struggling with knowing when the time would be right to say goodbye. On Wednesday (yesterday) I reached that decision and by the end of the day I had made arrangements with the Vet. When I got home from work last night Sydney did not look good at all. She was weaker and did not want to eat much. Which was a big change for the worse. I even took her for a car ride and bought McD's hamburgers to entice her. She only ate a few bites.
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As the night progressed she was losing her ability to walk. I took her out just before 4 AM for a potty break and she was still able to walk. This morning I got up around 6:30 AM and she was unable to stand or even stay on her feet once I picked her up. I had to carry her to get her in the back of the Mountaineer. I let Lily (the ACD) see me carry Sydney to the car and I let her see Sydney in the car so that she would understand. Lexi (the GSD) saw the car open and had seen Sydney in the house (they were not as close as Syd & Lily).
I took Sydney to the Vet and one of the Techs carried her in for me on her blanket. We sat for a bit and then the Vet helped Sydney to go. It was very peaceful, I held her the whole time. I stayed with her a little longer and then came home. When I got home Lily had to go check the car, so I had to open it up and Lily went through the entire car looking for her friend and looking at me expectantly. (Why do they do that to us!) Even Lexi had to go look at the car. Sydney will also be missed by her cats Mesa and Jade. She and Jade had a very special bond and often slept together and Jade would groom Sydney's face.
Sydney was cremated and amazingly, I already have her ashes back home. The place that took care of her was very thoughtful and caring.
I had Sydney for a wonderful 13 1/2 years. She was my once in a lifetime dog and I will miss her forever. She was always so sweet with everyone and was always well-behaved. Sydney welcomed many a foster dog into the house and helped show them how to behave. She was always fair and gentle, even though she must have thought that ACD's were put on the earth just to torture her!
She was my beautiful girl. Rest in peace sweetheart, go find your friends at the Bridge and wait for me.
Here is a picture from a couple of years ago:
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Kristina
Sydney Oct 6, 1994-June 12, 2008
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I took Sydney to the Vet and one of the Techs carried her in for me on her blanket. We sat for a bit and then the Vet helped Sydney to go. It was very peaceful, I held her the whole time. I stayed with her a little longer and then came home. When I got home Lily had to go check the car, so I had to open it up and Lily went through the entire car looking for her friend and looking at me expectantly. (Why do they do that to us!) Even Lexi had to go look at the car. Sydney will also be missed by her cats Mesa and Jade. She and Jade had a very special bond and often slept together and Jade would groom Sydney's face.
Sydney was cremated and amazingly, I already have her ashes back home. The place that took care of her was very thoughtful and caring.
I had Sydney for a wonderful 13 1/2 years. She was my once in a lifetime dog and I will miss her forever. She was always so sweet with everyone and was always well-behaved. Sydney welcomed many a foster dog into the house and helped show them how to behave. She was always fair and gentle, even though she must have thought that ACD's were put on the earth just to torture her!
She was my beautiful girl. Rest in peace sweetheart, go find your friends at the Bridge and wait for me.
Here is a picture from a couple of years ago:
Kristina
Sydney Oct 6, 1994-June 12, 2008
