Hi everyone. Rebecca and I are going through some serious heartache. We want to sincerely thank each and everyone for the pm's, emails, and posts. Seriously, we mean it.
Ella had difficulty going up 2 stairs in our sun room from going out today. Around 6ish I would think, not sure. Anyway, Rebecca begged her to come up the stairs. She did for Becky, not herself. Rebecca then realized, Ella was only holding on for us. Gaven, our 10 year old, gave her plenty of hugs and tears. Her breathing was somewhat laborious. I could now feel her spleen with out rubbing her abdomen muscles firmly. I know we wanted to try to treat, but it was not in Ella's best interest. It. Is. So. Hard. Making that decision. But she had pain even stretching out on a lay down. Please know we made the best decision. It was and still is soo hard.
I called, made the appointment for 10am. We got ready and I helped her into the truck. She just laid there. Although she did perk up as we neared my parents, it was just out of habit. My dad (Papa Don, her favorite human) took her for a short stroll around the yard. She said goodbye to Sam, my parents dog (the only one she got along with). Sam knew she was ill. He was very reserved. We loaded her back up and took her to the vet with my parents.
Dr. Cronin is an amazing vet. I didn't want anyone except him doing the injection. We got her comfortably on the table and he did the injection. It stung Ella a lil bit. Not too bad. I felt her lungs stop and her heart .... Sorry I'm crying ...
She looked so peaceful. No more pain. We all kissed her and rubbed her gorgeous ears. We will get her ashes and the doctor is going to make a paw print.
We came back and it is sooooooo hard walking into an empty else full of her things. I took people's advise and began putting things away. We each took a good smell of her beds. Her Orbies made both of us bawl. Finally, I got must of the stuff neatly packed and in the sunroom. My parents will store it for now. We will of course keep the Orbies and favorite collars (including the collar she wore at our wedding).
We will continue Ella's Lead in her legacy of course. I apologize for any delays in orders. We will do them, of course.
I'm sorry, it's hard to convey feelings well in type. This one seriously affected me. I have to force myself to go to work tomorrow. Rebecca will be home alone for a little bit, which will be tough. The whole routine is gone. Our arms are numb and our chest literally hurt.