http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj21 ... 0018-1.jpgPlayer, our Border Collie, was born with a malformed heart. There really was nothing that could be done for him except to not let him play too hard, and keep him from being over heated. His life expectancy was not supposed to exceed five years of age. Well, he surprised us all and his fifth birthday came and went, then his tenth, then his 11th....
In this, the 12th year of his life, he slowed down a lot. He wanted to sleep more and the heat was harder on hm. He coughed a lot and his appetite decreased. We knew he was reaching the end stages of his life. The last two weeks, his coughing increased until he would sometimes vomit frothy liquid, but he was still a typical bossy border collie. The vet put him on lasix to try and take down some of the edema that was causing his heart to work so hard.
The last two days, He would hardly eat at all unless I hand fed him. I had to force feed him fluids and take him outside to potty - I would have to hold him upright so he could do his business, or he would fall over because he was so weak. His doctor said he was in no pain, and that I could either keep him home until he passed, or have him euthed. I chose the former.
Last night, I put him in his crate with a few fluffy towels and sat beside him and waited. I petted him and talked to him. Sometimes, I sang to him.
I am glad no one was here to watch, or they would have probably thought me insane. I spent the entire night sitting beside him so that he would know he was not alone. His breathing became slower, and shallower as the night passed on. This morning, at 07:45AM, Player breathed his last.
He has crossed the Rainbow Bridge now and there, he will be able to run and play has he was never able to do in life.
Player will be deeply, deeply missed.
~Tiger
Doja; TT, CGC, CD, CDX, UD
Gracie; TT, CGC, CD, CDX, UD, UDX
Otis; CD, CDX
Domino; CD, CDX
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http://NTBBC.com - "Changing One Mind At A Time"
You are given but one life to live, use it wisely....