March 10th 2010 2:44 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 1 person already has ]

Isabelle succumbed to Auto-Immune Hemoplytic Anemia this morning at 11:15 a.m. pacific time.
I was with her when she took her final breath.
She was with me on the truck for over half a million miles. I spent more time with her than I do with my wife.

She was doing well until until about a month ago, when we were in Calif. She became less attentive, slept a lot (which she did anyway), and only wanted very short strolls. I got home as soon as possible, and had the 'hemocrit' levels in her blood checked. They were pretty low, hovering at 12.8. She was returned to the prednisone regimen, with an increase in azothioprine, but ultimately, she just couldn't shake off the disease. Her blood had the consistency of cherry Kool-Aid, and the abundance of white cells and deformed red cells confirmed the diagnosis.
She was shutting down, and there was nothing to be done about it.

I knew, in my heart this morning that it was time, when I lifted her lip and checked her gum and tongue color. They were nearly white. Her appitite was still good, but that was the prednisone working, not her.
The Veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca at Pacific Veterinary, was crying when she came in to tell me the results of the lab tests. I knew immediately that it was time.
I spent 30 minutes with her, alone, thanking her for the time she had given me, the lessons she had taught me and the unfailing love she gave.

She slipped across the Rainbow Bridge before the injection even was halfway over.
The Doctor and the technician were both very broken up, which led me to blubber like a baby. A big, strong 6ft truck driver sobbing like a child. Even as I write this, I have to stop and wipe my eyes.

I'm only consoled by the fact that she is preparing the way for me, when my time comes. And that she, and the others we have lost will be there to guide me Home when it's my turn across the Bridge.
I'm sure that Scout, Penny and all the others that have been in our family were there to greet her and show her where the good spots for a snooze are.

Thank You all, for your condolences, and your friendship. IzzyB loved everyone, and everyone seemed to love her.
As it should be.