Today is a hard day. I knew last night that it would be hard and tried my best to stop it from coming. You see today, we have to say good bye to Ned, our boxer, whom we have had for the past 7 years. For those of you who know him, you know how hard this is. I can not tell you how many people have asked us where we got him, if he has any puppies or have offered to "take him off our hands" if there was ever need. We have even had friends who went and began the search for their own "Ned." His personality is wonderfully laid back and playful when he needs to be. He is patient with the kids and Mazie (his doberman sister) and he has the softest floppy ears that lend him the cutest quizzical expressions. When Ned greets you at the door his whole body shows his enthusiasm as his hind quarters twist from side to side!
But Sunday afternoon Ned began to vomit and was very lethargic, very. We prayed and hoped that the morning would bring a change for him, but unfortunately there was none. So, Monday morning I took him to the vet. I am ever the optimist and was sure that he just had a "bug" that would pass. The vet ran a bunch of tests and x-rays that proved fruitless and then resorted to an ultrasound of his belly, as that is where he suspected the source of the problem to be. The doctor was right and found a mass on Ned's spleen that is cancerous. He told us that we could pursue treatment, but in 6 to 12 months it would return as it is a blood born cancer. Wow! Just 24 hours earlier he was romping around the yard with Mazie and now this afternoon we have to say good-bye.
I am thankful that this has been quick for Ned's sake and mine, as I would hate to watch him hurt any more that he has to. Even Mazie knows that something is wrong. She normally pesters him incessantly and shoves him off their bed so she can lie down, but amazingly she has let him have the bed and did not even try to steal the eggs that I made him this morning. I am concerned about how she will do in the long term, because she has never not been with Ned. Thankfully, the kids do not yet understand what saying "good bye" will mean, making this easier on them. Brandon and I, however, are heart broken. Ned is the first pet we have ever had as a couple. It is really an understatement to say that he has been a blessing to our family. He has been somewhat of a constant these past 7 years, especially for me. We have moved 3 times, brought 3 different children home, welcomed countless friends and family to our house and through it all Ned has been Ned. I, of course, got little sleep last night because I would wake up tearful at the thought of home just not feeling the same without him. I will probably weep for the next couple of weeks whenever I see one food dish and collar, instead of two or accidentally ask the kids to let the "dogs" out. But despite my sadness at losing a great companion and dog, I am SO thankful that God allowed us to have Ned for the 7 years that we have. The bar is set high and I don't think any other boxer can ever come close!
In a few hours we will say good bye to Ned, knowing the he will go to sleep and will be able to rest under the shade trees in my parent's yard, free from pain.
But Sunday afternoon Ned began to vomit and was very lethargic, very. We prayed and hoped that the morning would bring a change for him, but unfortunately there was none. So, Monday morning I took him to the vet. I am ever the optimist and was sure that he just had a "bug" that would pass. The vet ran a bunch of tests and x-rays that proved fruitless and then resorted to an ultrasound of his belly, as that is where he suspected the source of the problem to be. The doctor was right and found a mass on Ned's spleen that is cancerous. He told us that we could pursue treatment, but in 6 to 12 months it would return as it is a blood born cancer. Wow! Just 24 hours earlier he was romping around the yard with Mazie and now this afternoon we have to say good-bye.
I am thankful that this has been quick for Ned's sake and mine, as I would hate to watch him hurt any more that he has to. Even Mazie knows that something is wrong. She normally pesters him incessantly and shoves him off their bed so she can lie down, but amazingly she has let him have the bed and did not even try to steal the eggs that I made him this morning. I am concerned about how she will do in the long term, because she has never not been with Ned. Thankfully, the kids do not yet understand what saying "good bye" will mean, making this easier on them. Brandon and I, however, are heart broken. Ned is the first pet we have ever had as a couple. It is really an understatement to say that he has been a blessing to our family. He has been somewhat of a constant these past 7 years, especially for me. We have moved 3 times, brought 3 different children home, welcomed countless friends and family to our house and through it all Ned has been Ned. I, of course, got little sleep last night because I would wake up tearful at the thought of home just not feeling the same without him. I will probably weep for the next couple of weeks whenever I see one food dish and collar, instead of two or accidentally ask the kids to let the "dogs" out. But despite my sadness at losing a great companion and dog, I am SO thankful that God allowed us to have Ned for the 7 years that we have. The bar is set high and I don't think any other boxer can ever come close!
In a few hours we will say good bye to Ned, knowing the he will go to sleep and will be able to rest under the shade trees in my parent's yard, free from pain.
