Lil' Bit (In Loving Memory) by melikia
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Description
Last year, i was given a beautiful puppy - a very special needs puppy. I had puppy-sat Lil Bit many times, and each "visit", her health improved - and declined when she was sent back home, so it was concluded that she belonged with myself and hubby.
This spring, we faced a difficult decision. We were moving from Alaska (and Lil Bit is from the Alaskan Sled Dog line), and we had a heck of a time getting a ticket for her from Alaska to the east coast. We finally managed, and it involved getting the help of a very dear friend of mine on here to come pick us up at the Airport in Washington, DC and bring us closer to my parents, so they could take us the rest of the way (note: we live in what I swear is outer mongolia...)
Bitty survived the plane ride fine, although I am still very angry with the Airline (they didnt feed or water her like they promised - 18 hours with no food or water). A day or two after arriving at mom's, she was in right fine form... she ran for the first time ever, and was doing things "normal" dogs do. Her first birthday was fast approaching.
I had my cousin (a vet assistant) come over and check her out for me, and she brought up some great points about her health... and the fact that her behavior was NOT typical of a "shunt" baby - similar, but not quite. She suspected a massive inner ear infection, or the neurological disease that runs through the Sled Dog line in alaska (it was eventually decided after the necropsy that one of these two things was the likely culprit... and the way she passed made them lean more towards the neurological disease)
We gradually increased her protein to find out - and she kept improving. Then, the beginning of july, she started going downhill again - something we kinda suspected would happen, as her body had finally adapted to all the extra oxygen at sea level.
She started having problems walking again, and once more, I was having to carry her everywhere. She slept a lot more as well, and I ended up piling bedding up beside our bed for her, to cushion her from the floor.... she spent most of her last days there, or in the tiny pen outside my parents let us use for a dog pen (it's my mom's "chicken hospital"). She loved being in the pen, cus she knew she was safe, yet she could see and smell everything around (and talk to the chickens right next door...)
her last night, she woke me up way too often to count, with whimpers of discomfort... and then again at our usual waking time... i was so exhausted, i begged her for a few more minutes... and bless her heart, she tried... about 5 minutes later, i hear a loud whimper and her scrambling to get off her bed, and i was up... thinking she REALLY had to go out to pee. but, she didnt make it... she made it to the end of her bed, got violently ill, and passed out.
Upshot of it... because I don't want to go into details (i'll cry again)... we got her to the vet, after an hour, the vet shook her head - she didnt think bitty would pull through... so the decision was made (one hubby and i had discussed many times before - that if bitty got bad off like that, we would NOT prolong her suffering just to keep her here longer)... and our baby girl passed away.... my cousin was her air supply for most of the time we were there (bitty had stopped breathing on her own).
It's been almost 2 months now... and it hurts just as bad as the day she passed.
Anyways... this picture was taken a day or two before her passing. She's sleeping on her bed (two dog pillows piled on top of each other on top of a stack of sheets and blankets)... she would burrow herself in until she was covered by the blanky, give a great sigh and fall fast asleep... in this case, i entered the bus (noisy endeavor the best of times - and i wasnt trying to be quiet - yes, we live in a converted school bus LOL)... and she didnt wake up, but her ears twitched - which told me she just didnt wanna wake up yet. So, i grabbed a piccy of it...
I miss my precious baby girl... she was my amazing lil fur-baby....
Comments (14)
clbsmiley
Aw sweetie, I am so sorry, I know you miss her. I have adopted my second 3 legged dog now. It is hard to cry, when you are getting kisses from a new one. This is a gorgeous dedication.
ladiesmen
So sorry to hear this sad news. Great dedication Hug
mininessie
:( sorry dear...i´m so sad for you! hugs and kisses!
Mondwin
Sad...but glorious tribute my dear!!!!Hugssx Whylma
Raindroptheelf
I am so sorry for your loss, you decission , even though heartbreaking, was the right one, letting her go was the greatest Gift you could give her to end her suffering. Having lost one of our Dogs Jan.2009 I know so well how you miss your little fur baby Girl.
Faemike55
I am sorry for your loss, Meli! You made the right, hard though it may have been, decision.
zil2008
I am so so sorry for your loss. I empathize with you as I know how painful this can be. My sweet Ali passed in a similar manner only dif is she died in my arms as the vet is 3 hours away from where we live. Talk about livinf in outer Mongolia os somewhere similar. That was 12 years ago and I sill miss her very much. This past April I lost my 10 year old cat Mikey and also miss him so much. Got 3 new kitties and they take the emptiness out of the house but don't replace the the ones we have lost. They are always with you in that special little place in your heart and your mind. Big comforting hugs to you and your hubby. Your heart was in the right place and you did the best you could for the this little puppy. She is now at Rainbow Bridge whole and happily playing with all our other precious furbabies. If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, For this -- the last battle -- can't be won. You will be sad I understand, But don't let grief then stay your hand, For on this day, more than the rest, Your love and friendship must stand the test. We both had a wonderful year, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must be you Who has to decide this thing to do; We've been so close -- we two -- these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played, I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade. I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity. I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide! And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be! My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do. I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night. 'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold. For although we may not be together in the way we used to be, We are still connected by a cord no eye can see. So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.
jendellas
How you loved & cared for Lil' Bit, in her short life she had everything she needed & most of all your LOVE & ATTENTION. I know its hard, take care. xxx
Zaarin
Very sorry for your loss. :'(
MrsLubner
The relationship touches my heart. There are special companions that come along. You were hers. :-) Love and security is the most important gift you could give...and you did.
shayhurs
Sorry for your loss; Great tribute...
greyone
Wonderful tribute!!!. i am very sorry for your loss. I had to call my wife over to read your tribute as it so closely mirrors what we recently went thru. Not quite a month ago a dear 4 legged friend left us after just shy of 17 years. Her last couple weeks when she got quite ill she too had a bed of blankets and pillows beside our bed and it got harder and harder to see and hear her discomfort. For us too it was the vet that helped us bring her to a very sad but peaceful end. Only people that have experience the totally unconditional love of a dog can fully understand how attached we get to them. Your lil-bit sounds like she was a very lucky dog to have you two in her short life. A special place in paradise is set aside for those who care for animals, and from what i read you will definately be there.
Richardphotos
too bad about your loss.obviously a beautiful dog
tennesseecowgirl
I am sorry to read of your loss, losing a pet is never easy, hugs to you.