In Memory: Wynthea's Hexe 9/24/1995-2/18/2010 - Page 1

I had to let Hexe go last night.

She had two seizures on Saturday, one at about 10 AM and another at about 3 PM. Not long, not full grand mal--she was aware of her surroundings throughout, but she had the full tonic/clonic activity--but inexplicable seizures none the less. The vet gave her a bolus dose of phenobarb and sent me home with Valium in case she went into status, and told me to start her on phenobarb by mouth Sunday morning. There were no more seizures, but the phenobarb made her unsteady on her feet, so she initially had to be supported in order to walk and to relieve herself. By yesterday, though, she only needed a little help getting up, and some steadying as she went down the three steps to go outside (I basically half-carried her up and down the stairs to my bedroom, with her maneuvering her front end while I took care of the rear), so she seemed to be acclimating to the phenobarb and I was starting to be cautiously optimistic that we might get past this challenge, too. When I left the house to go to a meeting for work yesterday at 12:30 PM, she got up on her own and followed me to the door as usual. When I got home at 6 PM, though, she was lying on the kitchen floor and made no effort to rise to greet me, and I knew something bad had happened. She wasn't able to stand at all, even if I was supporting both the front and back, so I think she had another spinal embolism. She was alert, responsive, didn't appear to be in any pain, and greedily gobbled up her dinner as well as all the roast beef and treats I had on hand...but her body just wasn't going to cooperate with her intentions any more. She was always a busy little dog, and although she didn't mind being helped to get up or steadied as she walked, not being able to stand or walk at all would not have been a life I could inflict on her. Once I was sure she was ready to go, I called the vet at about 8:30, and she said she could come to the house at about 11 PM. Hexe and I spent the hours lying together on the floor, and when the vet came, Hexe never even lifted her head to acknowledge her entry, so any last question I had of whether or not it was time was answered then. Danielle (the vet) is a former co-worker of mine as well as one of the vets at the practice I go to, so she knew Hexe well, and said her goodbyes to her also. The passing was as it's meant to be at it's best: kind, gentle, loving, easy, and good.

Since the day she came home with me at 9 weeks of age, she never let me down or disappointed me in any way; I only wish I could say the same, because I'm sure there are ways I failed her at times...but, as only a dog can do, she never even acknowledged those instances and remained constant throughout. Another piece of my puzzle has been lost.

And now I am heartbroken.

My beautiful girl at fourteen:
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/picturegallery/11047.html

Hexe,

I am so sorry for your loss. Just having lost two of my best pals a few months ago, and having to recently put down rescues who are not adoptable because I cannot afford to take care of them any longer makes me so sad. So I know how you feel, as do so many here who will read your post. You have written a loving tribute to your dog, and it is so good to know, despite your pain, that you recognized it was time to let her go.

I have some fine young dogs here and would be happy to give one to you if the time comes when you are ready to have another pal.

My sincere condolences on the loss of Hexe. 

Best regards.

 I am sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful girl.  It is so hard to let them go.

Lyn

hexe,

So sorry that you had to say goodbye.  Sounds like you gave her a wonderful life and had a good, long, sweet goodbye.  My heart aches for you.  We have all been there or will be there sooner than we hope. 

Deb

So sorry to hear about Hexe. She was a beautiful girl.

Rest in peace, Hexe!
Hugs, Chris

My sincerest condolences.