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Sunday, April 1, 2012

Gypsy - 15th Birthday


Today is Gypsy's 15th Birthday. It may be her last as she is slipping further away each day right in front of our very eyes. It was a happy birthday for her with Angel Food cake for an Angel of a girl. We can tell she is no longer fully with it because normally she would be excited about her cake and birthday, but today she looked at it and went and sat down. This is heartbreaking to see her slip away ever so slowly a day at a time. Yesterday was one of her very bad days where her legs were stiff and we could tell she was struggling with getting around. This morning I took her for a short walk and she was her old spunky self but stopping frequently to sniff a stone, or piece of snow or some other item.

She also occasionally goes into a very deep sleep where it is very hard to wake her. We don't know what that is about, other than old age. She has been a faithful family member for many years now but she is starting to be overwhelmed with one problem after another. Her vet clears up one only to have another pop up. Panting, then bloody urine, then mini strokes, then the deep sleep where she is impossible to wake up. My prayer for her was to see her 15th birthday but we can see the slow daily decline. One day - not to far away - we fear it will be time for her to cross that rainbow bridge and reunite with Ben again. What a reunion that will be.... We don't want to deprive her of one good moment before that time comes and that is the difficult part - knowing when that time is right. I have noticed her doing the same thing that Ben used to do and that is lay somewhere and stare at you like they are trying to burn your image into their mind.

It is fairly cool time of year now but when it starts to get up to 80-85 degrees a day we can see she will be miserable. She spent most of last summer laying in front of the fan. Did I say it sure is hard to say goodbye to her, so instead today we have been telling her HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYPSY! When one has been such a loyal family member as she has been she deserves every possible good moment available. I'm hoping we will recognize when that moment fades and it is time for her to reunite with Ben. Until then... Happy 15th Birthday Gypsy....


11 comments:

Pat said...

Sobbing now...no dog has ever been more loved than you have loved Gypsy. You'll know when, and because you and Carol love her so much, you will be there for her. And you, Carol and all the folks who love you both will cry with you. But I fuly believe there will be another day reuniting us with our beloved furry family... God would not give us these intense relationships only to end them on this side of Heaven... That's what I firmly believe...

Sent from my nuclear-powered subatomic thing-a-ma-bob.

Mike said...

Amen,,,,,,,,Bless her heart........We should have a doggie hospice to call.........You guys and Gypsy are in my prayers....

Robert said...

Hi Bruce: I know it is very tough on you and Carol to see Gypsy going slowly. I had two cocker spaniels during my youth. I can still picture everything that happened the day they both passed away. I believe I took it harder than just about any deaths I've ever had to deal with. The first spaniel was named Blondie and the next one was named Freckles.

Ron and Thelma said...

Don't know if you follow the bayfield bunch or not but they just lost one of their fur kids. She just passed away during the night. I think you will know when it is time.

Barbara said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYPSY!!!! Barbara

Bruce said...

Yes we follow the Bayfield bunch. My heart goes out to them, losing a best friend any way is very hard.

Mary W. said...

Bruce and Carol,
A big Happy Birthday to Gypsy! My husband and I have a beloved dog named Sadie who has just turned 13 years young. She has had some health issues over the last couple of years, it really tugs at your heartstrings to see them struggle. For Gypsy to see her 15th birthday, is really a testament of the love and care that she received from you and Carol!
Have a great day.
Mary W.

Jane said...

She is such an awesome birthday girl!!!! Sorry I forgot to get my Happy Birthday in…..so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ms. Gypsy! J

Raylene said...

Indeed, Happy Birthday, Gypsy! You have brought so much love and faithfulness to your people--job well done Hugs, Your Mother's old chum, Raylene

Steve said...

It's a sad day to lose a furry family member. 14 is a long time for a shepherd, even a mix. I hope she's not hurting. Our 11 year rottie has stiff days like that, but we're hoping she sticks around a few more years. On a brighter note, my favorite part of the photo is the one pup in the foreground on the right licking his chops.

Bruce said...

Steve: That is Bozwell doing the lip licking. Birthday parties are a fun time around here. Gypsy is part Border Collie and Part Australian Cattle dog mix. We don't think she is in pain and the vet doesn't think so either but her health is in decline and we think it may be sooner than later. Vet has tried everything they know and you just can't heal old age. We dread the day when we have to say good bye.