I know so many of my blogging friends share with us the tales of their four-legged friends, so I thought I’d update you on my Sierra girl dog.
She had dental surgery last week and she has chronic IBD, so she came home from the vet and just didn’t want to eat for 4 days. I tried everything soft I could think of — her normal, back-up-for-when-she’s-sick soft dog food, other soft dog food, cat food, scrambled eggs, rice, oatmeal, baby food, cottage cheese. She’d eat about 1/4 cup of something and then never try it again. She was losing weight like crazy and weak. So, today we stopped the pain pills and at my wit’s end, I tossed her a few of my daughter’s cheerios. She gobbled them right up. So, on a whim, I gave her a handful of hard food and she at it all gone!
Go figure! I guess maybe the soft food was hard to eat and made her use the front of her mouth more (where the tooth was pulled). So she’d pick a kibbie up with her tongue and toss it back to the molars – no problem.
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her, and I was about in tears trying to get her to eat. And all she wanted was regular food – ha!
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I wrote that last night, in ultimate relief that we had some progress.
But tonight I bring you unbearably sad news – Sierra died today. She was very sick this morning – vomited 10 times at home before 7:30 and I took her to the vet, where they ran tests and ultrasound and found a very large mass of cancer in her small intestine, what was likely cancer all over her liver and fluid in her abdominal cavity. Even with double doses, they could not get her to stop vomiting. They said there really was no hope, and they were in great fear of rupturing.
I took her in this morning, worried, but fully expecting to get her stable and start babying her back to wellness from the IBD with medicine and love just like we’ve been doing for the last two years while living with a chronic disease, but that was not to be. I went to the vet with my adult son to be with her and say goodbye and she left us at 3:30 today.
My heart is broken and her “brother” Tanner has been following me around all day, knowing something is not right.
So, I won’t be posting for a while. The world lost a wonderful, loving and amazing dog today, and I’m proud to have been able to love her for seven all-too short years.
Diana, I am so sorry that you lost Sierra so unexpectedly. You’ll be in my thoughts.
Oh My Gosh Diana, I am so sad to hear about your loss. You have my greatest sympathy.
I’m sorry about your dear friend Sierra. Our pets really become part of the family, and it’s hard to let them go. *hugs*
Oh, Diana, I’m so sorry that you’ve lost a member of your family. Your post brought tears to my eyes. My thoughts are with you.
Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts and prayers. I have so many wonderful memories, but right now it’s just hard to get through the pain of our loss.
I am so very sorry for your loss. We had to say goodbye to my beloved German Shepherd going on a couple years ago, and it was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. She is still with you, though, don’t doubt it. A week or so after we lost Hensa, my hubby and I were laying in bed reading. The door was just pushed to. All of a sudden the door swung open just like it used to when she would push it open with her nose. Me and my hubby just looked at eachother and knew it was our baby.
Oh Diana! I can’t imagine what you are going through right now. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I am SO sorry for your loss.
Hi Diana,
How sad that you have lost your dear companion – my sympathies to you and your family.
Seven years is too short a time, but your care and affection meant that Sierra’s seven years were good years.
Annie
Lisa – I used to tell Sissy (Sierra) that my previous dog, Sami, who we’d had for 15 years, had sent Sierra to me to heal the hole in my heart, I believe their spirits live on in and around us and that is a small comfort.
Michelle, Christine and Annie – Thank you for your kind thoughts and words. It does help to know people care and it helps me honor her and her life.
Diana, I am so sorry to hear about Sierra. It sucks even more that her death was so unexpected. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that you guys are in my thoughts.
Thanks, Lori, I appreciate your kind thoughts.
Diana, I am just stunned after reading your post. I know how special Sierra was to you and I’m so sorry to hear the news. Looking forward to giving you a big hug tonight when I see you!
Diana, I’m so sorry you lost your wonderful companion and buddy. You are in my thoughts.
Diana: What a sad tale of your sweet pooch. I can’t imagine losing Tucker but he just turned ten and that is getting on in years for a dog. I wish I were there to give you a hug and listen to your dog stories.
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Layanee — Thanks for your kind words and support. We were talking about blogging about our animals at the Fling and I mentioned Tucker! We sure missed you and were so say you couldn’t make it. But we thought about you and you were with us in spirit. Once we recuperate, we’ll all have posts chock full ‘o stuff!