Tuesday, October 15, 2019

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

60 comments:

  1. Well of course I'm crying. For you and for Lily. She did have a long life and I know it's because of your wonderful love and care. Charlie is losing the feeling in his back legs, but I'm doing everything I can to strengthen them through therapy. I'll pay whatever it takes. But as I said in an email to you last week, once they stop eating, that's pretty much it. I witnessed that with Abi. My sweet friend, I'm so, so sorry. I wish I could hug you, and you know I'm not even a hugger. You were in my heart that morning, as you asked. I was with you in spirit.
    Brenda

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    1. I'm crying now too, just reading my own post, and of course I was sobbing when I read about your Abi. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts, Brenda - I needed all the extra strength I could get, I was shaking like a leaf.

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  2. I am so sorry for your loss. Lily was a beloved family member and cherished friend for many years.

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    1. She was a dear, sweet pup and will be missed, for sure.

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  3. So sorry for your loss. It is hard to let our four legged family members go.

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    1. So terribly hard, but watching her suffer was awful so I know I did the right thing.

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  4. Debbie, I'm so sorry. I saw your post on Instagram and I knew it was heartbreaking for you, but I didn't know the full history. I'm sending big hugs...what a sweet, sweet pup. xo

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    1. She was an angel, Kim, the best dog ever. I'm so glad I had so many years with her.

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  5. Bless your heart. We had to say goodbye to our "Lily" last year (the day before Thanksgiving~ *UGH*) Its never easy to do what's best for them... Hugs to you.

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss, Paula, and at the holidays - that's tough.

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  6. Sad to hear of her passing... what a wonderful life she had with you. We recently laid to rest our Dane, Ben... he had the same list of symptoms in the end. It's heartbreaking to let them go, but humane.

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    1. I'm so sorry Karen Ann - you're right, it was the humane thing to do. She went downhill so rapidly in 24 hours, I regret I waited that long but I couldn't make that call while she still had enjoyment in her life. Maybe that was selfish of me.

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  7. I'm so sorry. It's so sad when they go. They give us our happiest days in life and one of the saddest. She had such a good long life. We will all miss seeing and hearing about sweet Lily.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. She did have a good life, I'm glad I was able to give her that.

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  8. Rest peacefully, Lily! So hard to say goodbye to our furry family members.

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    1. So hard, and I do believe she's at peace now.

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  9. I am so sorry to hear of Lilys passing. She had a wonderful life with you.

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    1. Thank you, Penny - she was dearly loved and spoiled, just like my other two angels.

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  10. So sorry for your loss, but how lucky you were to have her in your life for so long. Sweet, and now not in pain anymore. So hard to say goodbye to the fur babies that we love so much.

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    1. I agree, we were so blessed to have her love for so many years.

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  11. oh Debbie, I just hated to read this. I am so so so sorry for your loss. It hurts like heck it surely does. My beloved Gypsy has been gone almost two years and I never stop missing her. She had so many many lovely years though and I try to think upon that instead. I always loved seeing your sweet Lily on here......and the pictures!! I'm going to miss her. And I know she wasn't mine, but we DO GET USED TO SEEING our blog friends fur babies, and we "bond" with them, right? I'm awful sorry and if you need to talk, just holler and I'll be here ok. What a sweet little girl she was, and will always be in your heart. SHE LOVED YOU.

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    1. I feel the same way, Debbi - we see our blog friends pets as often as we see their homes and gardens, and we grieve right along with them when they have to say goodbye. Thank you for your sweet words, I appreciate them always.

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  12. I'm so sorry. They are our babies and their love is unconditional. I'll be thinking of you.

    Cindy

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    1. Thank you, Cindy - they really are our babies.

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    1. Thank you, Nancy - I have been loving the other two extra hard this week, I'm sure they are grieving as well.

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  14. There's no pain like losing a fur baby. It doesn't matter how long we have them, it's never long enough. Just know that you provided her a loving home all these years and she knew how very much she was loved. You will see her again at the Rainbow Bridge. 🐾💗
    xo
    Pat

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    1. You're so right Pat, it's never ever long enough.

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  15. I'm so sorry, Debbie. I know the whole process is so heartbreaking...from the physical failure, then the stopping of eating, then having to say goodbye. We had to do that last November with Zippo (he was old, so sick and stopped eating, too) and it was horrible to go through. I still miss that cat so much, it hurts to even think about him. I know you'll feel the same way about Lily and will miss her terribly. I don't think I knew that Monkey was her daughter! How is she doing now that Lily is gone? Sending you and your daughters lots of love and hugs.

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    1. Thank you Melanie - yes of course I remember when you had to go through that with Zippo, and I grieved right along with you, and knew Lily's time was coming. The reason I adopted sweet Molly two years ago was I knew Lily wouldn't be with us for much longer, and I didn't want Monkey to be alone, since she never was. She seems to be doing ok, I'm giving them both extra attention and cuddles - she might be a little 'needy' at the moment, but that's to be expected. I bred Lily because she was the most amazing dog ever, and I gave away 4 pups to friends and kept the runt....who turned out to be such a little punk! I love her dearly and she's mellowed through the years, but she sure was nothing like her mom!

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  16. I know your heart is breaking and I am so sorry. It has been a pleasure of mine to see pictures of your pups in your blog. Monkey and Molly must surely be missing her too, so give them a special hug for me!

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    1. I'm sure they are missing her, Vickie, and I'm also sure they knew her end was coming. They skirted around her bed the past week or so, which was out of character for them....before that they would kiss her and cuddle with her. It's strange how much dogs can sense!

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  17. Dear Debbie ~ I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Lily. ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thank you Lorraine - we miss the sound of her toes tapping around the house!

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  18. It is so hard when our furkids pass, but they give us so much joy and the memories last forever. Virtual hugs to you!!

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    1. So true, Carole, and she will be remembered with much love always.

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  19. Debbie, I am so, so sorry. It makes me sad for you and your family, both human and fur. I know you all will miss her terribly. She sounded to be the perfect companion pet. ♥ She was blessed to have you as her person.

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    1. We were blessed to have her in our lives for so long, Rita - thank you, my friend.

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  20. Debbie, I'm so very sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose such a beloved family member, even if they did have a long life. I had a similar experience earlier in the year with my cat Priscilla. I'm sure you will always miss Lily, but I hope your heart heals eventually.

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    1. I'm so sorry about Priscilla, Heidi - it really is like losing a beloved member of the family!

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  21. I am so sorry to hear about Lily. I had to put down my dog 3 years ago and I still miss him terribly, after caring for them for so long they are like our child and when they die it leaves a huge hole in our hearts. I will say a prayer for you, I know Lily is in doggie heaven and having a great time.

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    1. She has no more aches and pains up there, Patrice - that's a big consolation.

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  22. Debbie, I am so sorry. 16 years is a long time. I can only imagine how much you all must miss her. She looks like she was very sweet and loving. Reading this post made me cry. Take care. Henny

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    1. I'm sorry I made you cry, Henny - I keep crying every time I go back to this post, too!

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  23. I am so sorry, Debbie. Lily will always have a part of your heart....just as you were a part of hers. May you be flooded with funny silly happy memories as time goes by.

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    1. Thank you, MJ - we were laughing about some of her crazy antics in her younger days, she did have a good life, and a ton of fun.

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  24. I am so very sorry to hear this .
    We lost our precious lil North fork Terrier in Feb. This year .I miss her so but she was getting sicker by the day and my hubby and I could not stand to see her suffer .May you be blessed with lovely memories in your sorrow !

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss as well - there are so many of us out there who love our pets like our babies, and saying goodbye to them is absolutely heartbreaking.

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  25. Oh Debbie, such a beautiful tribute to Miss Lily. I think we are all in tears reading this. Hugs..

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    1. She was a beautiful girl, my sweet Lily - thank you, Donna

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  26. I'm so, so sorry to hear this. Lily did have a long life, but a dog's life is never long enough. I saw a photo a few weeks ago titled "What Heaven Looks Like." It was a picture of two dogs looking down at us from the edge of a cloud. I think that might be true!

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    1. That sounds so comforting, Sue - I think my Lily is up in heaven with my dad, walking right by his side.

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  27. No matter how long we have our fur babies, it feels enough. Hugs

    Wendy C Bribie Is- Oz

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    1. Very true, Wendy, it's never ever long enough.

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  28. Debbie I'm so sorry for your loss and know your pain very well. Lily sure had a great life with you as her Mama :-) I choose to believe in Rainbow Bridge and that gave me comfort when I lost my fur babies. I hope it will help you too.
    We never have them long enough that is for sure. Take care
    Hugs
    Jeannette

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    1. Thanks, Jeannette - she really did have a good life, I'm so glad I could give her that.

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  29. I just stopped by to check in on you. It's a hard thing to go through. Hope you're ok. Hugs!!

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    1. You're so cute, Debbi, thank you!!!

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  30. Oh I hate to hear this. Bless your heart. I know it’s got to hard letting go. I’m glad you still have a part of her with Monkey.
    Lisa

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    1. Me, too, Lisa. And I'm so glad we have Molly to keep Monkey company.

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