Saying Goodbye

It's never easy to say goodbye to one of your best friends...

Unfortunately, dogs just don't live long enough.

Judith had been sick for about a month. She decided to stop eating and we could tell she was uncomfortable. A few days later she was diagnosed with a severe bladder infection and hypothyroidism. She was put on meds and improved slightly- but never went back on her dog food.

For about a month I cooked for her and begged her to eat for 20 minutes every morning and night.

I left random pieces of food (that I had carefully measured) throughout the kitchen in hopes that she would get hungry and eat it.

The day she refused carrots, we realized she wasn't enjoying life anymore- but she still met me at the door with a wagging tail when I came home, no matter what. I don't think I was ready to let go.

2 weeks ago she refused to eat, period. We tried everything: Canned food, rotisserie chicken, dog treats, baby food, cereal... anything to get her to eat. After 3 days of this we realized she was telling us it was time. I called her vet, Dr. Summers, to talk to her about Judi's quality of life- unfortunately, her vet was off until Friday. I knew what needed to happen, but Dr. Summers had taken such good care of Judith these last few years and I thought she might like to say goodbye. I texted her and told her that we would be taking her in the next day to say goodbye. Dr. Summers called me right away and offered her help on her day off. Can I just say, we love our vet? She's fantastic!

When I got home from work the next day was the first time every that Judith didn't meet me at the door- ever. She barely even looked up when I walked in... In the middle of this sickness I told Judith that she needed to tell me when she was ready to go... and when I say they tell you, they really do.

It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make in my life. I'm glad we had the time we did with Judith. She really is one of the best, most perfect, cutest black labs we could have ever had and we were so lucky to have had her in our lives. She touched so many lives and I sure hope Vinnie's taking good care of her now.

This picture is exactly what I think Heaven is like for Judith:


Good Luck my little girl. We love you!