Friday, September 17, 2010

A Sweet, Sad Day


This has been a "funny" last couple of days,....from one end of the spectrum to the other. The Starkey women in our family celebrate 3 generations of birthdays this month, Bailey's is on the 5th, Irene's (Larry's mother) is on the 15th and Chelsea's is on the 20th. As we were getting ready to begin the trip to celebrate Irene's we got a call that she had gotten ill the night before and had pneumonia. She was indeed feeling poorly when we saw her. On medication, she's somewhat better today so again, began a trip that had been planned out with the girls.
As I headed out the door in the morning, I let the dogs out and gave them their treats which they relish. Sam (right above), however, sniffed at it, turned up his nose and ran off in the opposite direction! I said "What's up with you??" But he seemed OK so I left on the trip.
We had a marvelous time. Bailey showed me her puzzles and how she puts them all together...

Emma showed her toys too....


and this little grin just made my day!!



Bailey takes gymnastics and can do the balance beam, so showed me how...



and Emma showed...her gums!



As I said before, it was a marvelous day....until late morning when my wonderful dog sitter (she lets our dogs out periodically when we am gone) Laura called. She said that Sam had been sick and offered to make a vet appointment for my return. I thanked her and silently worried. When I got back late afternoon as they were getting ready to close, the vet took x-rays and thought he might have an obstruction. They told me he was very ill and thought he might not make it through the weekend without going to Med Vet in Columbus. The hospital is open 24 hours a day and is a marvelous place. It has specialists of every variety that rivals a human hospital. It can take care of anything!....well, almost, (below, sculptures on the lawn outside). On the ride down, we held him, petted him and reminisced about the day we got him. He was such a sweet little puppy and from the day we got him, he followed me around. He would sit by my feet and keep me company if watching TV. He would hop on a favorite chair and wait patiently until I was finished on the computer always following me down the hall to wherever. He would watch me in the kitchen always careful not to be underfoot. He would be thrilled with a treat or going for a ride or seeing my face come home. Oh, that tail wagging when I came up the stairs! If I said the word "walk" or "boat" he practically did somersaults! He lay next to my bed each night and sighed as he went to sleep, sometimes even snoring....I loved that noise. If I decided to take a nap, he insisted on laying right next to me snuggled up. Larry said his favorite trick was laying on the top two steps in front of Scoobie when he heard his car come down the drive at night. That way he got petted first as he came up the steps. Ha!

When we got to Columbus, they did many tests again. The ultrasound showed a mass on his liver and kidney failure. They would put him in intensive care and watch him until specialists came in the next day to do probable surgery. That would give him a few months.


We felt it was best to make the decision to say good by. Soooo hard!! I was glad I had my camera with me, from the day with the girls because we wanted one last picture of him. Somehow, I really don't have many. He was a good and faithful friend. Most people would like to die the way Sam did. He was well loved, had a good quality of life (14 1/2 years) to the end. As far as we know, he had no pain and was perky till the end. My mom loved this dog almost as much as we did. I like to think she has my little buddy by her side right now....miss you guys...




5 comments:

Jeanne Henriques said...

Donna...I am just gutted for poor little Sam and you. I know your heart must be breaking...I feel that in what you have written. I am glad to read that you had him for 14 1/2 years...I still wish dogs could stay with us longer, it is never long enough.

I read your post and scrolled up to see Emma and Bailey...they made me smile..such beautiful and gorgeous grandchildren..they must bring you tremendous joy.

Thinking of you on this sweet, sad day...

Jeanne xx

yaya said...

What a day...I'm so sorry Donna...I remember the day you got him too, and I remember you bringing him into surgery to see us hidden in your purse! He was a special dog and all the walks he went on with us just so we could get healthier...Ok, now I'm crying. I could hardly tell Jack..wow, I hope Scoopie will be OK without his constant friend near by. Although I don't think Sam was always thrilled with Scoob! Ok , the funny walk when Sam attacked that big dog (right where it would REALLY hurt) when that dog slid in the snow over the invisible fence! Or the many times you had to carry him when he got hot...so many fun and crazy memories. I'm really sorry. Tell Larry that too because I know he loved Sam a ton.

Wander to the Wayside said...

Oh my, I'm so sorry! They're like our children in so many ways, and the loss is so painful, especially when it seemingly comes out of the blue. I'm still always surprised at how deeply I mourn and how I can be brought to tears even years later at the memory of one.

We've always had a lot of animals, at one time five dogs and four cats, but each was loved on its own merits! In 2008 we lost 2 senior dogs and 3 senior cats - it was devasting to say the least. But we cherish our memories, as you will.

But those grandkids - cutie pies and so entertaining!

Erin said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imgine what you are going through. He lived a long life and I am glad you where there to make the decision and spend some extra time with him. My eyes are filled with tears.

Hope said...

made my eyes tear to read about your dog. So sorry. I love your beautiful photo's of adorable children and happy times. Really enjoyed reading your post. Thank you

take care