Saturday, October 4, 2008

In memoriam....Keene

First, I must say a big "THANK YOU" to all of you that offered your prayers for Keene and us. It is VERY much appreciated. Not everyone understands our deep sadness, so it is nice to have the prayers.

On Wednesday, we had taken Keene back to the vet because we knew something was seriously wrong. She had been up the night before whining and couldn't even keep water down (She had been really sick for about a week.). Dr. Abernathy said he would keep her for a couple days and evaluate her. We called on Thursday, but all they told us was, she was eating a little, but that they wanted to keep her another day.

I went to work on Friday and Richard called me at about 8:15 AM and said Dr. Abernathy had just called. He did an xray and found cancer. I had someone else cover my classroom, while I walked down the hall. Richard continued, in tears, saying that it was a huge mass that filled her abdominal cavity. Dr. Abernathy gave us the option of surgery, but said he would have to refer us to a specialist. My husband asked what her chances of survival were and he said, not good. We made the decision to not put her or us through anymore. God was saying it was her time. I have NEVER heard my husband so broken up.

I got another teacher to cover my room for the last two hours of the day and I left around 12:00. My parents came over to sit with our other dog, Menlo, and we went to see Keene.

We have a friend, Karen, that works in this same vet's office and she hugged us as soon as we walked in. She has a very ill dog and totally understood how broken up we were. Dr. Abernathy showed us the xray. You could see the mass was huge and was pressing on her colon and very near her heart. After seeing that, we absolutely knew there was nothing more to be done.

We went back to Keene's cage and we could see how uncomfortable she was. She got up and wagged her tail for us, but we could see she did it with a lot of effort. They allowed us to take her into a back room to say our goodbyes. Keene gave us a lot of kisses, which is not something she ever did. To me she was saying, "I'm happy to see you, but I really don't feel well. It's time to let me go." We hugged and kissed and pet her for a time and then called Dr. Abernathy in.

Richard and I both held her as Dr. Abernathy put a needle into her front leg. Within seconds she collapsed into my arms. I hugged her and cried. She was even snoring...which I found very comforting. I knew she wasn't in anymore pain. Dr. Abernathy said he would have to give her a little more of the drug. I put my hand on her heart as he injected her again. After 4 seconds I felt her heart stop beating.

We both hugged and kissed her a little more and then we let her go. I believe she is with God now and we will see her again.

Dr. Abernathy gave us each a hug as we left the room.

Keene will be cremated this week and we will then bury her ashes in our flower garden in the back yard.

We both knew it was the right thing to do, but it hurts a lot. She was our first baby. We'd raised her since she was six weeks old. It was good that we were there and got to hold her until the end.

Richard and I cried more in the car and have been reminiscing about her ever since: the funny way she walked when she was a puppy, how tiny she was when we first got her, her snoring that became so comforting, the times she destroyed pillows, the funny way she would sit on her head so that we would play with her, how she loved tennis balls, how she hated being kissed, but loved having her butt scratched, going to obedience school, playing in the park, giving her pills using cheese and she thought it was a treat and how much love and affection she gave us for 5 years.

You were loved very deeply, Keene. You were a good dog and brought a lot of joy to our lives. There is no more pain and you can now rest in peace. Mama and daddy love you.

16 comments:

Amy said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Tracey. It breaks my heart. I will be praying for you and Richard.

Much love to you both,
Amy

RB said...

Tracey,

I'm crying while reading you post about Keene. What a precious baby she was. My heart is breaking for you and you husband. Just know that Keene is in no more pain. Have you read the children's books Dog Heaven or Animals on the Other Side? They are both tear jerkers, but I have found them very comforting. Hugs to you.

Elizabeth said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. That is one of the hardest things in the world to do.

Oddly enough, my husband's dog of 15 years went through the same thing a couple of weeks ago, and our (female, though) vet's name was Dr. Abernathy as well.

LL said...

Tracey, I am so sorry. Tears are brimming my eyes as I can feel your sorrow. But you are so right, Keens is not suffering any longer and you will reunited one day. You will be in my prayers.

Rebekah said...

So sorry, Tracey...

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

Tracey, I'm Amy's Mom (In My Life). She told me about your having to put your sweet dog down. We have had 2 terrible experiences - our cat of 17 years had cancer and it was HORRIBLE, and then our dog, Lucky, that we had for 14 years, died a couple of years ago and I've not seen my husband cry very much in his life, but he cried with me. You have my sincerest sympathy because pets become part of your family.

I'm also thrilled for both of you in your adoption pursuit! I know that will make you both so happy!!!
Take care.
Sandra :)

Tracy's Porch said...

Tears!

My heart hurts knowing how your heart hurts today.

I hope that you continue having good memories of your sweet girl.

The Mom Jen said...

This gave me the chills, I'm so sorry for your loss!

Christy said...

So sorry for your loss, Tracey! Your story made me cry, such a hard decision to make. I'm so glad you have all those great memories of her.

MtnGirl said...

I couldn't even read your whole post because of tears. I am so sorry and know that is soooooooooo hard, but I'm glad you were BOTH there for Keene at the end as I'm sure Keene was too! How is your other "baby" doing?

Deb said...

I'm so sorry. It's terrible losing a beloved pet. She sounds like a wonderful puppy, and a cutie.

Anonymous said...

I was crying during your post. I'm so glad you have such wonderful memories of your special fur baby. Praying Menlo adjusts quickly to life without Keene. Dogs grieve, too. Your SBP

Melba said...

I am so sad for you tonight, I wish there was something more I could say. This post made me cry and cry, just knowing the amount of loss you feel right now. Keene is in a better place and you will see her again someday.

GOD BLESS!

Melba

Mama Smurf said...

Totally sobbing right now...I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm really feeling like a major basket case lately!

Kim said...

I'm so sorry. We lost a beloved Boxer to cancer a couple of years ago. We miss her still.

Jackie said...

Tracey, I am so sorry. I know sweet Keene will be missed so much...what a precious baby.