Saying goodbye is never easy

It's eerily quiet around our house today... 

Rest Peacefully Sweet Suzy Q

2001-2014

Yesterday, we said goodbye to the best furkid we could ever have asked for.  Suzy Q had been sick and slipping away the last month.  We took her to St. Louis with us for Jake's band competition in mid-September.  At the time she had allergies but still enjoyed walks around the Gateway Arch.  We found out about two weeks ago that she had a heart murmur and had probably had a cardiac event at some point.  We took her to the vet and made several phone calls.  We changed her diet.  We tried to keep her comfortable.  The last few days she spent most of her time sitting up, as it was the best way to breath.  She frequently passed out or fainted and would fall over.  It was hard to watch.

Jack had the kids say their goodbyes the night before last.  He just didn't think she'd survive another night.  She did.  Yesterday morning I found it terribly hard to leave her, but it would have been miserable to stay home and sit with her.  Jack called the vet and made an appointment.  They were so lovely to Jack and I... it was quick and peaceful.  It was definitely the right thing to do.  We never wanted her to suffer.

I don't know if the kids remember life before her but I know they remember the day she joined our family.  The situation was not ideal, I had promised the family I would not get a dog without them.  But it was love at first sight for me and there was no way I could leave her.  She was a pitiful little thing in heat and had mange.  It didn't take long at all for her to fit right in.  

It's been therapeutic to go through old pictures today.  I had a very hard time choosing so I hope these bring a smile to your face.

We got a DOG!

2003

I'm home.

 

 

She was a great watch dog and lover of sunshine.

 

Post surgery

2008

 

On another adventure...

always ready to go for a walk...

family pictures

2010

St Louis

2013

In her happy place on Jack's blanket

sleeping with her back feet in the air.

on our way home from the dog park

ears flapping

relaxing in the front yard

always hungry...

sometimes naughty...

smile and relax

sharing a special moment with Addy Bea

happiest when we were together

with family and friends...

 good ole dog

Father's Day gift 

2013

Painted by my friend Jewelee Lukowski.

  

always ready to go...

anywhere but the vet

Yesterday morning she was miserable.

You all know she was more than just a pet.  She was one of the kids.  It will be difficult when we take our next adventure and not see her sitting in the backseat between the kids.  

She was one in a million, our little dachs-ador-gle.  

xo