Pet Photos thread where too much is never enough.

[arewethereyet]

My oldest dog, Karma, has had a heart murmur for a while now.  I was basically told to watch her closely, which was easy to do since I work from home.  Poor little thing went completely deaf a few years ago but managed well with some signs I made up and by following the lead of the other dogs. We still talked to her as though she could hear us. In the last few months she became a bit incontinent in that when she barked she also peed just a little bit.  She continued to eat well most of the time and her coat was glossy and her nails grew like crazy.

Her place to be during the day was under my desk when I was working or sewing.  When I would walk away, she would pop out of her hiding spot and follow me even if I was just going to the bathroom or to get something to drink.  

Yesterday morning, she had breakfast as usual and went outside with 'the boys' to escape the vacuum cleaner.  I was working with some fabric later after getting some things done around the house and noticed she was not in her spot but was near my chair instead.  She didn't pop up to follow me when I left the room.  I watched and her breathing was quite labored.  Her back legs were shaky when I stood her up and she had her tail tucking in underneath herself.  I got her outside and all she did was stand and tremble.  Once back in the house, it took me a moment to find her.  She was managed to get between the couch and the end table.  I sat on the floor and she put her head in my hand as I stroked her with my other hand and watched her as she struggled to breathe.  

My husband was her person.  He was at work so I called him to ask when he would be home.  I told him Karm wasn't well.  He came right home and after a few minutes told me to call the vet.  I was thankful that the vet on call was the same one who used to live next door to us and the one who cared for her when we first got her.  I left the decision of what to do up to husband.  He agreed it was time.  He held her as they gave her a sedative and she drifted off to sleep, then I held her as they prepped her for the final shot.  I held her and talked to her as she drifted away.

We still have two dogs, a cat, and two parrots...yet, the house seems so empty without that little twenty pound dog.  

She let me know it was time.  

RIP Karma