Winnie 1998-2010

Winnifred

Today around noon, Winnie died. I don't want to be maudlin, but for those who have lost a pet that has lived with you for over 12 years, you know it is like losing a child or sibling. Winnie has been getting old, but has been healthy until yesterday. I took her for her usual four-mile walk; she was excited and anxious to go. As we passed the park, almost home, I noticed she was really panting a lot. I assumed that she needed a drink and a rest. By evening, however, she was still panting -- her breathing was shallow and labored, her stomach and chest were heaving. During the night she was not comfortable lying down. I found her sitting up on Kris's side of the bed in the middle of the night and sitting up on my side in the morning. She wasn't fussing, but just didn't want to lie down and her breathing was not improved. She followed us from room to room and wouldn't break eye contact with us. Her eyes seemed to be imploring for help.

I learned that dogs are stoic and don't register pain as we do, so there was no whining, but she was clearly hurting. We took her to the vet hoping they might find an infection, but he feared congestive heart failure or cancer. An x-ray didn't indicate a clear-cut case of congestive heart failure, so cancer was likely but inconclusive. She was comfortable at the vet as long as she was on oxygen. As soon as she was removed from the oxygen chamber her breathing became labored again. The first choice was a hospital stay for observation which would not be conclusive either. She would hate that. The second choice was unthinkable. We asked if she couldn't just go home while we considered the options. The vet said that would be cruel given her situation, so we were forced to decide on the spot. We decided that we would let her go. I held her while she was put to sleep and then brought her home where I wrapped her in her blanket. Stephen helped me dig a grave in the back yard and I lovingly buried her there. A large stone marks the spot.



Here is a quick retrospective of Winnie's stay with us:

Madeline and Winnie in 1998

Brand new

Winnie loved "walkies"

Post-bath embellishment (she doesn't seem pleased)

She was always up for a "run with the cousins"

Winnie was a yoga meister

Her "sweet spot" in the window

Yet more walkies with the family

A recent photo of Winnie at the park with the girls --
she would not be left behind

She was getting older and gray

The "queen of the women," at least one of them

"Little Red Dog"

Great photo from Chelsea Gibbs

There are those who didn't like her bark (often including me), there are those who thought she smelled bad, but we loved her in spite of that. We are feeling surreal today and very sad. We loved this little dog. If we don't get to be with her in the next life, someone will be in trouble.

This isn't the post I expected to do this week, but life is uncertain at best.

Love to you all (OXO)

D.