The Good Girl

Lola was puppy number three. She looked the most like her mama, black with a white chest, silver ear tips and toes and soft brown eyes. Rob said she was the most beautiful puppy ever and that she would stay with us.

Lola was a good dog, never got in trouble and loved her pack mates. She and Bailey were the closest of friends from the very beginning. I discovered that I have few pictures of Lola alone. Usually Bailey is there beside her. From the time they were puppies Lola had a habit of sucking on Bailey's ear flap. The habit continued into adulthood and Bailey developed a hematoma on the ear. The vet suggested separating them at night but they were together all day and the habit seemed calming to both of them.

When Bailey died, Lola and Tess became inseparable. Then Tess died and Lola seemed lost. She followed us around the house and asked for cuddles whenever we sat down. We always complied.

One morning about a year ago Lola had trouble climbing the stairs. Her legs just didn't work. I helped her and gave her some Rimadyl and after some rest, she seemed ok.

A few months ago she had trouble getting up in the morning. I steadied her and again after some medication and rest she was on her feet.

Recently she has seemed fragile and a bit shaky. Rob and I both noticed that she stumbled often. Then on Thursday morning she couldn't get up. When we helped her to her feet, her legs didn't work. We helped her to the porch and settled her on a pillow but she was confused and frightened.

We sat beside her and made the awful decision that it was time to say goodbye. When the clinic opened I called and they said to bring her in.

Our clinic is now following new rules. People must wait in their cars and the nurse takes the animal inside. We asked if Dr B could come to the car so we could be with Lola at the end, but he said to come in with her. So Rob and I were holding her as she died. Dr B agreed that her neurological symptoms were getting much worse and the time had come.

When I got home I sat on the floor with Mackey and Norma Jean and showed them Lola's collar. Norma Jean sniffed it for a long time, then she licked my hand and walked away. She knows. Mackey seems quite upset and clingy. They had gotten to be good friends.

My house is much too quiet. I'm used to a big noisy pack of dogs moving around and getting into trouble. Now I have two dogs who sleep most of the time. Sydney is also downstairs but doesn't interact with the others.

 

 

These are difficult times for so many reasons and losing Lola makes life even less joyful. Hug your dogs and stay safe.