He'd been out of sorts for about a week -- the Wednesday before Christmas he ate a bunch of Christmas cookies from the kitchen counter while we were out, so for a few days we thought that was the cause. He went from his usual hyperactive happiness to lethargy, just laying on his favorite chair for the whole day. Given his history I started to suspect he'd eaten some object along with the cookies, even though he wasn't showing the typical "Oops, I guess I shouldn't have" GI symptoms. He wasn't throwing up, but he wouldn't eat anything.
The vet up in Lake Geneva (we spent last week there) examined him on Wednesday and did some quick blood work; everything looked OK, so she gave him a couple of GI meds and asked that we bring him back in a couple of days if he didn't rally.
Yesterday morning Elvis couldn't even stand, let alone walk, and looked to be in obvious pain. I decided to cut our vacation a day short and get him in to our regular vet (and good friend), Dr. Scott Jones at the Northbrook Animal Clinic.
Scott did x-rays looking for some obstruction, but instead found numerous tumors throughout Elvis's lungs. He indicated a) these were secondary tumors, with an unknown primary somewhere, b) there was no possible chemical treatment, and c) he didn't think Elvis would survive any possible surgery, given his condition. That left an easy decision, however sad and shocking. Scott took care of everything after that.
So Elvis gave us nine joyful, exasperating, heartwarming, hyperkinetic, goofy years, and we thank him for that. And I also thank Dr. Jones for rescuing him so many times in the past, and the Friends of Elvis who've been doing the weekday walks this last year and a half. I hope you enjoyed his energetic company as much as we did.
I won't offer up any obvious parallels or deep thoughts here. We'll miss him, but we'll be fine.
Pat
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6 comments:
We know EXACTLY how you feel...our Beau (Yellow Lab) let us know Christmas Day that he was preparing to move on. On Monday we accepted what he was telling us and helped him pass on Tuesday. Without writing a litany of his whole life (nearly 13 years) and his health history, we can say that it's hard to believe that he died of old age and not canine lymphoma,(which he'd recovered from with 6 months of chemo out of MSU Vet Clinic when he was 4).
Like you and your family, we recognize that Beau had such a great life; it's hard to be woeful but the house is different...and so are our lives!
Pam in MI
I'm sorry to hear about Elvis. I did get to meet him a couple of times and thought he was terrific! Our last dog lived for 15 years and told us when it was her time. I cried for 3 days. Our current pup (7yrs old) thinks he's a cat with 9 lives, but every brush (tumors, things he shouldn't have eaten and the latest greatest--life threatening bladder stones) he has reminds me how loyal and dedicated these creatures can be. I hope there's another loyal pup in your future, I think kids, especially boys need a dog! God speed Elvis! Judy
Buzz on the street is that you are looking at some different breeds. Check out the Flat Coat Retriever, a loyal, loving dog. Warning though, they are not without their health issues. Having said that, is there a breed that doesn't have its issues...hmm
Well, the kids have bounced back nicely. Last Monday when I came home from work they had the dog book out, and had a short list of breeds we should consider. I told them to hold that thought -- we'll do nothing right away, but maybe (eventually) get a dog from the shelter.
One word: Corgi!
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