May 10th 2006 7:27 pm
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On the morning of May the 5th, 2006, we took Tipper to the vet for one last time. She'd been declining steadily, and I could see she wasn't going to get any better. We weren't sure if she felt any pain or discomfort, but she clearly wasn't having a good time anymore. It was difficult for her to get up and down the stairs, and although we could have kept her around longer, she was incontinent all the time, and apparently had some blockage in the colon that kept her from shitting properly.

He asked if we wanted to do this, just to be sure; I said yes. So the vet tech hoisted her up on the table, and Dr. Schaubhut shaved her forepaw. He started the needle, asked again to tell him when I was ready, and when he pressed the plunger, her head drooped. I had to turn my back.

She had survived two years after being diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer, so I have no regrets for anything I did. I'm sure the holistic care prolonged her life; even Richard grudgingly admits that.

The one thing I'm grateful for is that I have so many other dogs in my life - even a couple of puppies. It's strange and even disturbing not having a dog at home, though - and very quiet. I'll adjust.