My parents'-in-law dog, Mitzi, passed away yesterday. 1-24-09. She was humanely pts after suffering even more complicated symptoms than usual. She was arthritic, blind, deaf, and recently had become incontinent. And, I think, was losing her sense of smell, as she could no longer find her way around. Most recently, her hind legs were going and for the last couple of days or so, she couldn't get up. Being that she was 15 years old, it was time to end her pain and suffering.
Mitzi was a Lhasa Apso or mix of such from a litter cared for by a vet. Territorial, she was always friendly with humans. You could tell her we were coming and she would wait by the door, even though it would be hours before we were there. Shadow didn't always cotton to her, so we would leave him at home in recent years when we visit. She was ever vigilant of passers-by but she tolerated Shadow well enough when we did have him visit with us. She would never stray far from her humans. When we would vacation with DW's parents at Lake Livingston, she went off leash and would always recall and never got out of sight. She loved toast. And vegetables. And getting to lick the plate. She was an excellent fishing companion. FIL was saddened to see her go but realized it was the right thing to do.
In-laws broke all the rules. She ate Purina Dog Chow and Purina One most of her life. Some Purina Senior and then, lately, whatever free dog food they hand out at the senior center. She ate human food. Got on beds and couches. And she also got grooming and the best vet care that can be provided and lived a full life, always loved. Her favorite place was to sit in FIL's lap or at his feet. The in-laws grew up in a time when dogs were kept outside and fed whatever scraps there were, hang the "balance." Mitzi was the first pet that got to live indoors and they installed pet doors.
Run free, Mitzi.