So hard to say good bye

This has been a hard week for my friends, Ellen, Jack and Bitsy. On Monday they had to say good bye to their loyal and faithful dog Trail.

A little about Trails history…at about the age of two he developed seizures. They seemed to get things under control for him with the seizures but then he had a toxic reaction to the medication which greatly compromised his immune system. He was a very sick boy and had to be hospitalized at Michigan State Veterinary Medical Center, but they brought him back from that and life went on for many years. Then just over a year ago he went blind and developed diabetes. Ellen and Jack worked hard to get him regulated on his insulin and get the diabetes under control. After returning this past spring from wintering in California they took him in to the vet for a checkup and although the diabetes was in a good place they discovered he now had Cushing’s Disease. So after a great deal of discussion with their vet, and I am sure many long talks with each other they felt the most humane and loving thing they could do for Trail was to let him go before the disease had a chance to ravage his body any more.

Trail became Bitsy’s (Maia and Titans sister) big brother when she was eight weeks old. She was a terror as a puppy with him, leaping, nipping and doing all those annoying puppy things but Trail was always very patient with her.

This past Sunday I took the older girls over to see Trail. I wanted to see him one last time and since he has always been a part of our extended family I knew he would enjoy seeing the girls.

He was happy when we arrived, barking and saying hello! They all had some good sniffs and barks. Of course I made them pose for photos!

From left to right: Cheyenne, Bitsy, Riva and Trail

Our hearts are breaking for the loss of Trail and for our friends having to make such a difficult decision and the loss of their dear friend.

Poor Bitsy has been having a very hard time with it. Ellen called me to get some advice on how she can help her get through this sad time. She has been very depressed and mopey. It is so hard for them as I don’t think they have the concept of death they just know their friend is gone. This is the first time in her life she has been by herself.

How have you helped your dog’s deal with losing their canine friends?

So I will end this post with some happy photos of Trail over the years!

From left to right: Cheyenne, Bitsy, Riva and Trail

From left to right: Cheyenne, Trail, Riva around 2006-7

And this is one of my favorites! He was so tolerant of the kids wrapping him up like a baby. He even let them hold him.

To my dear friends Jack, Ellen and Bitsy

THE DOGS WHO HAVE SHARED OUR LIVES

The dogs who’ve shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.
Old habits still make us think
we hear a barking at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.
Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometime, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.
And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them…
and always will.

—Linda Barnes —

Tina and the Brown Dogs