I know that there hasn't been a lot of activity here lately, or even this year. This time there is a better, for lack of a better term, excuse. We have been providing dog hospice for the last two weeks and Monday (10/5) we made the hard decision to let her go.
Morgan is a German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix. All the girls in the litter looked like mom and all the boys looked like dad. That's why she has pendent ears instead of the GS radar scoops. In the last couple of years her muzzle started to go white and I would tease her it was her inner Pyr coming out.
Back in May she was fine at her check up, a little chunky, so we were dealing with that. Then we noticed that she was loosing a lot of weight. We rushed her in to her vet, they did an ultra sound but apparently she was to wiggly to get a really good read and we were referred to another clinic (Alameda East of Animal Planet fame, its literally just a couple of blocks away from us). That session took about 4 hours and then we got the bad news. A mass between her spleen and liver and the x-rays showed spots all over, including her lungs. She had developed a very aggressive cancer. We were told it wasn't months it was weeks, she made it two and I think we were lucky to get that.
It’s a tough decision to let our pets go. Morgan was doing all her regular doggy things up till the last four days and it was time.
Morgan gets her, well-deserved, wings and I'm sure she is hanging out with Lani. I know they are keeping an eye on us till we join them sometime in the future, hopefully not the near future mind you.
Edit: Because this is the only this makes any sense:
The little boy (Shane) seemed to accept Belker's (the dog) transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why". Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, " People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six year old continue, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Here's a look at Morgan over the years (to few, she was only 7):
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| 5 Weeks Old |
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| 8 Weeks old and quietly sitting as we drive home from her birthplace on a farm in Morgan County |
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| First treat certainly has her attention. |
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| All ready to big for the bed |
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| The food will not escape |
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| Are you my mom? (Phoebe is pretty accepting) |
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| Becoming a long dog |
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| That black nose is a little overwhelming at this point. |
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| Working on the tan. |
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| Look at all those colors coming out |
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| A Christmas ensemble |
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| Getting her first kitten, that's Omar Bratley |
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| Halloween ensemble |
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| Hanging out with Larry the Cable Cat |
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| How's that for a Valentine's day greeting |
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| Morgan and Roxy, Morgan treated her like her own puppy. |
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| Lounging in a chair |
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| Last Days. |
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy..
- Take naps.
- Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Be loyal.
- Never pretend to be something you’re not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
