We had to help her over the Bridge yesterday morning. It was too painful to post yesterday and it's very hard still. Many of you had been praying for her. She had been making a little progress since she came home from the hospital Tuesday but still not eating much. Then Thursday her appetite was better and she ate about a cup of food, a fourth cup at a time. Friday morning she acted like she wanted DH to take her for a walk , so we were very encouraged. Later that morning we went back to Purdue for a scheduled recheck. Her kidney values had went up again, from 1.7 to 3, and her pancreatic values were very high as well. It was very disappointing news but Dr.S was pleased with the improvement in her appetite and her attitude. We were supposed to return for another recheck in 2 weeks. She ate 1/3 cup of food when we returned from Purdue but wouldn't eat the rest of the day. She seemed very tired and rested in the same place all evening. I finally cooked her some spaghetti and lean ground beef late that evening and brought it over to where she was resting. To my surprise and relief, she ate some of it. Yesterday morning she wouldn't even eat anything and seemed very weak. DH had to carry her outside to see if she needed to pee. She could barely walk so he brought her back in. He carried her over to her water bowl and held her while she drank. We knew it was her time and called Dr.S who said to bring her right in. DH held Jessie in his lap while we were waiting for them to bring a gurney; she was totally limp and I thought she might pass before Dr. S saw her. Dr.S said something had happened internally for her to change so much in 24 hours. She agreed with us that it was time to let Jessie go, that more fluids or other treatment were unlikely to help. Jessie was resting quietly on the gurney, mostly sleeping, while Dr. S examined her and while we talked. We were taken to a room set up for euthanasia; it had a sofa and chair, lamps; it was very nice. The Rainbow Bridge poem was on one of the walls. Jessie passed very peacefully, with DH and I rubbing her ears and giving her kisses. Dr. S was also in tears and gave us each a hug. She was very fond of Jessie and called Jessie her "Little Munchkin."
One of my favorite nicknames for Jessie was "Baby Girl". We found her at a shelter in October of 1999; she was about a year old. She was and is our first dog. When we brought her home, we loved her, but had no idea how much more that love would grow. She was always sweet and gentle, willing to please and very cooperative at the vet. She had dark nails and I was afraid of cutting the quick, so I had her nails trimmed at the vet. When they finished one front paw, she would lift the other. She was very good with people but not so good with critters; chasing and tangling with ground hogs, possums, and raccoons. She jumped three feet without a running start, over a cement wall, to chase a chipmunk. She also jumped down a four and a half foot drop in a trail to follow us; DH was going to lift her down but she jumped before he could do it. She seemed to know when not to harm animals though; our children raised several breeds of pigeons to compete in shows. Occasionally, a pigeon would escape when the loft door was opened. Jessie sometimes caught them in her mouth, but she didn't bite down, and would give them to us unharmed. She loved the grandchildren and would do anything for them, including jumping through a hoop 40 times, until I said she needed a rest.
It's very, very painful and we miss her so much. We're grateful that she lived a long life and that we have so many happy memories to comfort us, but as all of you know, we always want more time with our dear companions. She will live on in our hearts until we see her again at the Bridge.