Lady

Lady was rescued from Every Creature Counts on June 1, 2005.  It was purely by accident as I wasn’t looking for a dog, even though I had wanted one for 4 years, ever since our last dog died.  My husband and I went to PetSmart to buy cat food to wean a litter of kittens that a feral cat had gifted us in the barn.  We walked in the door, and there she was, in a portable pen, shaking all over and pleading with her eyes, “Please help me.  I know you can help me”  It was an instant bond, and I responded, “Yes I can”.  Even though my husband was displeased, I filled out the papers on the spot to adopt Lady, but had to wait until Monday to take her home.  They were willing to let me “try her out”, but I told them, “No, once I take her, I’m keeping her”.  How could I do otherwise to this poor eight year old black Cocker Spaniel mix?
She jumped in the backseat and looked like Miss Daisy as I drove her home.  As we drove up the long driveway, she looked around like she owned the place.  Right up to the front door she went, and as soon as she was in the living room, hopped right up on the couch.  Yes, she was here to stay.
I only had her 4 and 1/4 years but the bond we had was unshakable.  Through eye and ear infections in the first month of adoption, followed promptly by kennel cough and chronic colitis we were a pair, always together.  Her eyes followed me whenever I got up from the chair, and if I was gone for more than a minute or two, she would come and find me, no matter where in the house I had gone.  If it was outside, she’d jump onto the seat of the picture window and look for me, waiting until I returned.  She was my shadow, and I miss her terribly.  What a hole she has left in the fabric of my days.
The last 9 months she lost weight consistently.  She had been practically deaf when I adopted her, and her vision deteriorated dramatically while her mobility declined.  Rimadyl and Etogesic didn’t agree with her: glucosamine and chrondroiten didn’t seem to make an appreciable difference.  She became incontinent of stool, and began to wander in circles almost constantly.  The last two months she became incontinent of urine as well.  She was treated for UTI’s twice and was scanned for a bladder tumor.  Proin helped for a while, and then its effects became spotty.  DES helped dramatically after 2 days, but by then she had developed oral cancer.  I cried and cried, but realized I had to end the suffering of this faithful and loyal friend.  Dr. Jennifer Coates couldn’t have been a better choice to help me and Lady during this heartrending time.  She was a soothing and calm presence, and seemed to be really in tune to both of us.  I thank her for her help, and to Dr. Cooney, for dispatching her right away when I made the final call.  Having Lady’s life end in her own home is a real blessing in this difficult time.  Thank you so much for your care to both of us.