Some of the old-timers will remember my darling Gertie, an almost 14 yr old Australian cattle dog mix who was truly God's gift to me when her original doggie momma, my best friend, died about 7 years ago. She'd asked me to take care of Gertie and I'd also already been Gertie's caretaker when my old friend travelled so I was already very close to Gert. Anyhow... I've been completely blindsided by her death and it has been harder than I could ever have imagined. At about 2:30 a.m. Christmas eve morning I was (still) up sewing on a Christmas stocking when Gertie just didn't seem to be acting "right". Within a few minutes I thought she was having a stroke or something... her gait was wobbly and she seemed disoriented. I'm getting too emotional so will close by saying I rushed her to the emergency vet (with the help of very kind neighbors... I could not pick Gertie up alone) where she was diagnosed with a devastating cancer. After several hours they said euthanasia was the kindest thing to do. She could not survive surgery and the ensuing chemotherapy. Gertie was my first and only pet companion and I don't think I will ever have another. She had regular vet care and received a clean bill of health in August. I don't understand how something this bad come happen so quickly and am very upset it wasn't caught. In fact, I was told she was "just spoiled" when I complained about her picky eating habits for the past few years. Then they wrote it off to 'she has a sensitive stomach" so I started cooking most of her meals.
She was a dear soul whose passing needs to be acknowledged and I will miss and love her forever. I only hope she went home to be with her original 'momma'... my friend, Mary, on Christmas eve. It is the only way I can live with losing her.
Here's an old photo... I've likely posted it previously, but it is the best one I have stored online. This was taken about 7 years ago when Mary was dying. When we'd get Mary up for any reason Gertie would immediately jump to Mary's pillow! Otherwise, Gertie kept her little self parked right at Mary's bedside or on the end of the bed. What a dear angel she was. She looked pretty much the same recently except she was almost completely gray... a little brindle still showed... but once recently I happened to see her in the moonlight and I swear she looked like a little ghost doggie.. she was silvery all over and glimmered in the moonlight. God bless you and hold you in his hands, my sweet Gertie.
Well, dang it, I can't post it... tried pasting it to the email, but I don't think that works. Maybe I'll try again another day. Trust me... she was... and will always be... a dear soul. JeannieTX (aka: Kestner143)