Agnostic.com

14 13

After fighting the good fight for four months, Our Nora has crossed the rainbow bridge. She succumbed to congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema. She syncoped on a walk, Melody rushed her to the vet and and I came down from work. She was getting prepped to go to the hospital when she syncoped again and they almost lost her in the exam room; the vet told us that at this point, nothing could help, and she was suffering terribly -- blood oxygen was below 60. We had 10 minutes to say goodbye; she kissed us both, and that was it. After the fact, the vet told us that based on that final syncope, even if it did't happen just then, she wouldn't have made it through treatment. She saved us $5,000, but I cheerfully would have emptied out the 401-k if she had had a chance.

Nora always knew when one of my arthritic joints was acting up and would curl herself around it when we went to bed. She spent her last night successfully relieving my Achilles tendinitis.

She was the goodest girl in the world, doing anything to spite another dog, doing anything to keep us from fighting, sticking her little butt up in the air for other dogs. She would climb any height and brake up any unfair dog fight. Even though they're known as boneheads, there was a lot of thinking in that little pea brain of hers. When we went exploring, she would remember hazards from years before, even when I had forgotten them. Somehow she managed to keep it from raining on morning walks, and to keep on fending off the rain long enough for me to bike to work.

She was magic; like a shao-lin priest, she could move without being seen or heard, and much to our surprise, no walls could hold her. She always did a complex thank-you dance after she ate, a dance neither Snoopy nor George Balanchine could approach. We think she was trying to bury the taste of the food.

She was our Nora. We can't imagine life without a dog, but whatever we wind up with, we will treasure Nora forever.

This is the last photo of Nora, two days ago, with her favorite chewie.

andygee 7 Jan 29
Share

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

14 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

0

Thank you for that. I'm at work so trying not to cry. Thinking about the members of my family who had to be put down by the vet. I miss them all.

1

Aww she's beautiful! I'm so sorry for your loss, there is no worse feeling than losing a faithful friend.

1

rainbow bridge????????????????

It's a euphemism.

ok, I thought it was something to do with getting to heaven, my bad. sorry for your loss. I lost a lovely dog last January the 3rd.+

3

Awwww. I get teary eyed just thinking about when my sweet companion will leave me mourning. I feel your pain.

1

Damn you! I was going to get through this day without crying. Now look what you did. I am so sorry, I truly feel your loss. They are family and we can never repay the joy they bring us.

3

I am incredibly sorry for your loss. Her suffering is at an end. She will always live on
in your hearts and memories. My deepest condolences.

4

I'm so sorry. She sounds like she was a 'once in a lifetime' girl. I hope your memories bring you comfort...

4

sorry for your loss

4

That is so sad. I even feel your loss. I hope you find another little friend, not to replace Nora. Just to love and be loved!

3

I'm so sorry.

5

So painful to read because I also have a dog I love as you did yours . She was lucky to have you in her life.

4

I am so sorry for your loss. There is no love like the love of a good dog.

5

ohhh, so sorry for your loss, am in the middle of a long vet process at the moment, always sad.

6

I am very sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was just awesome. It breaks your heart that they don't live as long as we do. You sound like you remember so much of the good of her life with you - hold onto that. Take care. And let yourselves grieve.

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:19460
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.