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Monday, January 30, 2012

Gypsy


Here is a photo of our past dog Ben along with Gypsy and myself 9 years ago this month. Gypsy was then a young girl, agile, full of energy and no grey muzzle. Her sight and hearing were sharp and her joints healthy. She was only 5 years old in this photo. Gypsy has been having trouble breathing recently with a lot of panting and so first thing this morning she was taken to the veterinarian. After X-Rays, echo cardiogram, along with a thorough examination her diagnosis was her heart is not functioning fully. Her results were read by a specialist in Colorado Springs and the conclusion should be available by tomorrow but initial diagnosis is that one chamber of her heart is not working. She was placed on a medication (Lasix) that should give her some relief inside of a week but it appears that our gal is just wearing out like so many of us do when we get older.

The other day I was locking up downstairs and Carol was bringing her back from her short walk and it has always been her custom when she sees me outside she wants to run up to join me. Carol turned her loose and she came running up the driveway just as she has hundreds of times in the past. When she got up to the back door she staggered a little and fell over. I can stay calm when I'm hurt but when the dogs are hurt or in trouble I come unglued. I carried her inside and we made her comfortable and shortly she had recovered. We knew then she had problems and her breathing has become more labored the past few days. It appears that one chamber of her heart isn't functioning and her running up the driveway with the wind in her face and a smile on her lips won't be happening any more.

Gypsy is now just two months short of her 15th birthday. She has outlived her life expectancy thus far by a full 3 years. It is looking like every day forward we are blessed by her presence in our lives. There is nothing animal science can do for an aging dog with a declining heart. If her lifestyle is moderated she could be around for a long time yet, then again we never know. She is not in any pain and she is perfectly willing to give up some of those things she previously did but can't accomplish now. She clearly enjoys a more sedentary lifestyle these days. She still has a quality of life and enjoys almost everything she previously did but she is more restricted.

As much as we hate the time when we have to say good bye to her, we know one day not to far down the road of life she will be crossing that rainbow bridge to be greeted by her brother Ben. So as we look at the above photo and remember how it was 9 years ago, we wonder where the time has gone. How could it possibly have gone so quickly.

We attribute her longevity to good diet as she only eats premium food, healthy treats, good exercise and regular doggy doctor visits. In the meantime we cherish every day we have with her and plan to give her good senior years of comfort and pampering. Wait a minute - she has had a pampered and spoiled life, well, more won't hurt there is always room for improvement.



7 comments:

Ron and Thelma said...

It is always hard when you pets get old. We have had to put a couple of ours down when they couldn't live life anymore. It is heartbreaking. Good luck with her.

Mike said...

Boy my heart goes out to you guys.....It is very sad,,,I feel for you... Your feelings after looking at the picture taken 9 years ago are comparable to my feeling when I see a picture of either of my son's that are now gone...... Pets are just like family......

My prayers are with Gypsy and you guys too. It is hard, but God will give you strength to get through it. Just think of all the time you had with her,,,,,and the wonderful care you provided for her...

God Bless
Mike

Brian said...

We certainly know exactly how you feel. It was two years ago this past Sunday we lost our beloved Isa. We adopted her in 1999, then probably already two. For a Rottweiler to live that long was a blessing. Less than a month ago we lost two of our girls, a pit and a spaniel/pit mix. Loosing family is never easy.

Barbara J. Galasso said...

I love this little story about your Gypsy Bruce! Love is in every word you write about her. Our dog's are definitely soul robbers! God bless!

Deirdre said...

(Our Muffin, may she rest eternally in peace as she waits for us, had a similar problem.) Yes, cherish...and don't make me cry! Enjoy all the love. How very rich we are to have these lovely friends in our lives. Give all your babies hugs from Sugar and Sox -- and from us!

Patricia said...

It is inevitable, but sad nevertheless. Unfortunately our canine companions have relatively short lives and it's never easy to give them up.

Bruce said...

Gypsy is in human years 103, and we see her aging before our eyes demonstrating all the aging symptoms. We know what is coming we just don't know when. It is not so much we know one day we will have to say goodbye but having to say good bye for the last and final time. I don't think you can prepare yourself for that even though some times we think we can.