Bowser has joined his siblings at the bridge February 3,2011.... - Dear Dogster pals of Bowser, Funny that today is Chinese

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Bowser has joined his siblings at the bridge February- 3,2011....

February 4th 2011 2:59 pm
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Dear Dogster pals of Bowser,

Funny that today is Chinese New Year and year of the rabbit,Bowser really loved bunnies,and was always gentle and kind towards them.....

He was perfect when I got back on Monday nite,Tuesday all day,and yesterday morning,just 24 short hours ago,it all started to go wrong,very wrong....We went to McDonald’s for brekkie and did some errands before the storm.....He was,as usual,with us........got home,went for a walk,had his brekkie (with McDonald’s stuff in it) and appeared fine......He’d been following me in dog yard on a poop expedition,and then......

Old Granny went to do some shovelling and I was on the computer.....At 11am, I knew his spirit had moved on as this dog came in and jumped on me and clawed like crazy.......Wow,his eyes were vacant,and I believe he’d already gone with Sam and Vikki.......I went to get OG and she was shovelling,and the biggest storm of the season was just beginning.......His legs weren’t right and he was frantic,heavily panting,couldn’t stop.......I called Cornwallis Vets (Teresa is away for a week and we couldn’t get there due to bad weather),and they said to come right away,to see Dr. Kim Barkhouse,who has been there for 21 years,and very knowledgeable.....

So,he was able with difficulty to walk out but I had to lift him in car......Getting out was tricky,but he certainly walked in on his own,albeit a bit wonky.She got him on table (it wasn’t him,no fight and so vacant), and her main diagnosis (without doing a back xray) was neurological damage to the lumbar spine.....

She gave a direct shot of metacam and prescribed more for a week........By the time we left the vets the storm was really going.......couldn’t have gone back if we wanted,they closed down shortly after...By the time we got to New Minas,he was unable to get out,and thus began my back pain as from then until today,I was constantly lifting.......He lost all use of his hind quarters,including bowel and bladder function....

From brekkie time on Wednesday until today at 8am there was no pee,pooh,water or food taken in......3 times between vet yesterday and last evening,he tried to go out to pee,and lay down in a big snow bank,and I had to pick him up and carry him in......this was the worst part for me mentally.......and physically!

B and I slept in OG’s bed and I was able to comfort him,but he was very uncomfortable,doing some heavy panting........and it was indeed a sleepless in New Minas nite for both of us......

Miraculously,he made it through the nite.......At 4am, the plow went by,and I was out to shovel but overwhelmed at the amount of snow that had fallen and knew I couldn’t do it on my own....OG was with Bowser in bed while I was out.........After hurling myself over the mountain of snow,2 shovellers turned me down to help me....then I spotted a truck with a blade doing an apartment building and he immediately stopped what he was doing and offered to help.......By 5 am,I was all plowed out and ready to go....

We spent quality time together and by 7:30am I called vet and got appointment with same woman as yesterday for 8am........I first requested a consultation, then probably euthinasia..........I got him to car and neighbor helped to get him in.........It was then our final car adventure together.........

The roads were snow covered but we arrived just after 8am,and a stretcher was waiting.........Vet said all was worse than yesterday (way worse) including blood pressure ,ability to walk,etc......So,after a short discussion,the decision was made,the papers were signed and I stood at his head ,with Carolyn at his side,and we said good bye to our faithful companion who was 12 3/4 years old.........and my heart!

I still can’t believe it,I’m sure it’s a nightmare........I just want to wake up and find my son beside me.....For the first time since 1994 when we purchased our house,we are without a dog to love........Unreal, unbelievable and more than likely unbearable......Never a day in this house without a baby to love.....

As to the future,I can’t begin to ponder or imagine it...............For now, we mourn the loss of Bowser Tyke Kennedy, beloved fur child, born May 4,1998,and joined his siblings at the Rainbow Bridge February 3,2011.Our loss is surely their gain............ We long for the day when we will all be together.........and know it will come!

Thank you for your kind words at this horrendously difficult time....

Bowser's family
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