My last 24 hours

I was having a good day - I got up at 5am and was refusing to take naps. The family was having to keep up with me, taking me outside to enjoy the weather. This was a bit harder than usual - my legs have been failing lately, so mom had to hold my tail up for balance and help me move along. I still enjoyed it - plus, I got to spend time with my mom!

By nighttime, I was still doing pretty well and decided it was bedtime around 9:30. That's when things went bad - I had a grand mal seizure around 9:50 that lasted for a minute. I was very confused afterwards and my tongue was all over the place. My family was there to help me and after about 40 mins, I was able to go outside and drink some water again. Mom slept by me all night but was very worried - my breathing was very irregular and though my heart and will were strong, they all started to fear for me.

My parents called the vet first thing this morning and the vet said to bring me in immediately. Mom and dad woke me up, still in my "accident" diaper and brought me in. I was having a lot of trouble - as hard as I tried, I just could not stand on my own. I was yelping in frustration. I was 18 years old, had survived two bouts with cancer and losing an eye and finally, old age caught up with me. My family couldn't stand to see me suffer anymore and had to make the hard decision to send me off to the Rainbow Bridge. Dad held me the entire time and they gave me so much love as I went.

Don't cry for me, though - I lived a very long and happy life with a family that gave me nothing but love and the best that a dog could ever ask for. I am now on my way to join my adopted siblings at the Rainbow Bridge.