In 2005, Steve gave me a dog for our anniversary. We didn't actually get her until September because we wanted to find just the right dog. I had some rules. I wanted a female (because I don't like the hygiene habits of males), and I wanted to get one from a shelter and give it a forever home. When we checked the website of the local shelter that receives rescues we learned that Wednesday was puppy day.Every Tuesday they would post pictures of dogs that would be available the next day. We checked for weeks and finally saw one that looked perfect. We had to bring all of the kids who lived at home to meet her. Unfortunately Steve was out of town. When we told him we found the dog his one request was that when she met him she would come up, wag her tail and lick his face. We all fell in love with her and when daddy got home from his trip she did exactly what he hoped for. The funny thing is that Daisy is not a dog who kisses and that was one of the few times she ever licked anyone.
We have loved Daisy these past 11 years and she has been a very good dog. Never destroyed anything, never messed in the house, she slept in her crate at night and was a generally great dog. Tuesday she was acting strange and vomited that night. Later she came and slept right next to my bed and stayed there all night. Very unusual. The next day she was eating a lot of grass and I hoped that would help her feel better. It didn't.In talking with a few fellow dog owners it was suggested that she might have Lyme.Thursday morning I called the doctor first thing. They couldn't see her until noon. I was anxious to have that test and get her medicine to make her feel better. Deep in my heart though, I knew that was not to be. By the time her appointment arrived, Adam had to carry her into the vets office. She was too weak to walk that far.She was running a fever of 104 and they could not get it down.We left her at the vet so they could do some diagnostic testing. Daisy was in so much pain it was difficult to do an ultrasound and she couldn't even swallow the Barium for the x-rays. It was not long before I heard the dreaded words "gastrointestinal cancer". It was December all over again.
Kevin had come home from Idaho earlier in the day so the 4 of us headed back to the vet to say goodbye.In those few hours since we had left her she was even sicker. Her eyes told me she was done. They asked me if I wanted to stay until she was gone. I told them I had already done that once this year. I couldn't do it again.
So on what would have been our 38th wedding anniversary, the family said goodbye to my gift on many years ago. Many people reached out to me knowing what day it was - not knowing the additional agony of that day. Thank you all. I see Daisy all over the house. I think of whether she needs fresh food, when did she last go out? If I leave I wonder if she will be okay in the heat. Our family is forever changed - again!
Goodbye Daisy. We love you!Now go find daddy and give him a big kiss - from all of us!
