I can't believe I am actually writing in this section
My little Schultz passed away on New Year's eve. It has been so difficult for my husband and I-and I'm sure it will always be in some sense.
Schultz was my first pet ever-I adopted him from Lollypop Farm when he was 9, and he lived to be 14. Although a high maintenance, grumpy old fart-I loved him to death, and he loved me right back. He gave us a fair amount of scares- from eating an entire Easter basket full of chocolate to packing peanuts to gum, Mr. Schultz sure knew how to get what he wanted regardless of the consequence. He even managed to tip over our garbage can time and time again even though it stood a good foot (or more) taller than him...I'm pretty sure he had a cast iron stomach
Anyway, over the years his health declined, but he was happy as ever and never "complained". Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he took all the testing/poking/prodding like a champ, and every vet commented on what a rock start patient he was
Whenever he came back to me, his tail would be wagging full force and he couldn't wait to hop into my arms.
When he passed it was quite the surprise, and I still don't even understand what happened. All day on 12/31 he was acting like his usual self-he was pretty much fine (with the exception of a few puking incidents the day before, but he still ate and pooped/peed just fine). When I got home from a New Year's eve party, I went to let out the dogs and Schultz wouldn't move from his crate. I noticed his breathing was raspy. He tried to lift his head, but it fell back down.
I immediatley knew something was wrong, so I grabbed him and we rushed to the ER. He barely made it on the way there. When we walked in his tongue was hanging out and it was turning blue (this image will be burned in my mind forever). They took him quickly and put us in a room. Basically they told us he wasn't going to make it and they could try some radiographs etc. or we could euth to prevent further suffering. We chose to euth-it was obvious nothing was going to help him. He wasn't breathing and his gums were blue. The vet said he had a significant heart murmur (which he never had before-I don't get it) So they brought him in and we held him, kissed him and pet him and told him we loved him...then he seemed to relax...and was gone...
I have never lost a pet before, and I am so saddened my heart literally aches. Will it ever feel "normal without him around? Things are OK so far at home. Our other dogs don't seem to have noticed and are acting pretty normal. Schultz kept to himself so I am not too surprised.
Anyway, thank you for providing an outlet to share my feelings and stories about Schultzie. He was a good friend and loving companion. I know he is living it up in weiner dog heaven with plenty of food and warm beds for snuggling. I just miss him so, and will love him forever.
Here is a link to a photo album on my Facebook page with pics of Schultz for anyone who is interested.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 03d310cee1Thanks for listening!