So Hard To Say Goodbye

Friday morning we had to say goodbye to our sweet old girl, Lily. 

Her time had come, there was no avoiding it.

She was ready....but we certainly weren't. 

Lily has been a member of our little family for 16 1/2 years....we adopted her from a man in NJ when she was just 6 months old. 

She just turned 17 in September....she lived 10 years longer than my last pup, and my heart was broken when he died suddenly at the young age of 7. 

Even though I know in my head she had a nice long life, it was still so hard to say goodbye. 

Lily was diagnosed with cancer at least 8 years ago....and at that time we were told if we were lucky we would have about another year and a half with her.

We were so grateful to have many more wonderful years with this sweet angel. 

My dad always said she was the BEST dog. He was right. You could take a bone right out of her mouth without her even giving a grumble. 

Even when she had her pups, we could reach right into the basket and pull one out, and she wouldn't make a peep. 

One of those pups is the Monkey...she was usually on the bottom of the pile. I believe that's her right by Lily's back foot, with the spot on her back and the spot by her tail....and the piggy puppy stepping on her! 

Even though they are mother and daughter, two dogs couldn't be more different. Monkey's real name is Daisy...but she's such a punk the name Monkey suited her better, and it's really stuck. 

Lily has been failing rapidly for the past few months. First she couldn't make it up the stairs any longer, then she had trouble even with the tiny step by the door to the lower deck. She couldn't control her bodily functions, and seemed to have some sort of nerve issue developing. But all through that, she still loved her food and treats, so there was something for her to enjoy in life. 

Last Wednesday night, she refused her cookie, and her back legs gave out on her. 

Thursday morning I called the vet and made an appointment for Friday morning. I would have taken her in on Thursday, but the vet was not in....just a vet tech, caring for the boarded animals. 

I hated to see her suffer, it was heartbreaking. 

The vet and vet tech were so wonderful, her passing really was quite peaceful for her....not for us, we were weeping uncontrollably. 

But for Lily, it was a quiet passing from this life to the next. 

She will be dearly missed....but I know Papa was there to welcome her with open arms, and he will love her dearly up in Heaven. 

Goodbye, my sweet Lily Star. Mommy loves you. 

Thank you for all your love and loyalty through the years.  

Give Papa a kiss for me, ok?

xoxo