This is a very hard post to write, as I have to tell my blogging friends that Kiki passed away very quickly and unexpectedly on Saturday night. I am in shock and still trying to process this. She was totally fine through the week, but on Friday, started to show signs of what appeared to be kennel cough, no other symptoms, still playing and eating. I made an appointment with my regular vet for the next day. On Saturday morning, she took her walk normally but did not eat breakfast and seemed to be a little labored in her breathing. My vet told me to take her to the pet ER in the area for what we assumed would be a visit for some antibiotics. Her X rays showed some patchy shadows in her lungs, and her ultrasound showed no obvious tumor to suggest cancer. But she was on oxygen and struggling to breathe through the day. Thankfully, even with the COVID restrictions, they let me inside in the afternoon to be with her. I sat with her and held her for a few hours...she got worse and worse and I knew in my heart she was not coming home. The vets and the radiologist agreed that there was no hope for recovery, she was not responding to treatment, so I let her go.
I still really don’t know what was wrong with her, and my regular vet is going to get the records and try to make sense of it for me. Rosie and I will be fine in time. Though our 9 years together was too short, those years were filled with walks and adventures, good food (though Kiki would argue that it was never enough food) and great friends, pups and people. She loved to play with toys, make friends with cats, and beg for even more belly rubs and cuddles. She was the inspiration for this blog—because I was so enamored of her, I wanted to share her with you.
But, I guess the lesson of this is to hug and love your pets everyday, because you never know when it will be the last day. Dogs live in the moment, and so should we. I tell myself that Kiki only had one bad day in a lifetime of good days. I was so blessed to have her share her life with me.
My Kiki. She was my extraordinary girl, my heart, and I will miss her terribly.
6 comments :
I am very sorry to read this news about Kiki, but so glad that she enjoyed a wonderful life and that you shared her with us all via this blog. It is such a shock when the end comes so suddenly, but we too are thankful that her period of suffering was short.
Sending love and hugs to you and Rosie.
Gail and Bertie xx
We are sorry to hear this sad news. Rest in Peace my furry friend. Tonight, we will all have some good food, and a nice long walk in your memory. Peace to those that loved you,
Nuk & family
Kiki sure was a beautiful girl. We are so deeply saddened to hear this news. We understand your grief as we too have had sudden losses. Kiki was well-loved by you and had a wonderful life with Nala and then Rosy. At least it is comforting to know she is at peace with Nala. So hard on those left behind. Soft woos and gentle hugs from all of us.
Hugs and Woo - Lightning, Misty, and Timber and Mom Kathie
You are now undertaking the long journey through grief. While others may share that grief we all walk it alone. There are no right or wrong paths, no proper way to carry oneself on the trek, no set amount of time to complete it. Some steps will come easier than others. There will be rogue waves of grief that you won’t see coming, and knock you back days. But you will come through it. If you get lost let us know. We have been through it before and we might be able to help you find the way out.
I am so sorry to learn of the sudden passing of your beloved dog Kiki. We have been reading your blog for a while now and do enjoy your postings.
Oh, no...I am just catching up on blogging after a bit of a break after my girl Bandit passed, and I just saw your beautiful Kiki did, too. I am so sorry...sending you and Rosie big, teary hugs. xoxo
Post a Comment