Today I said a tearful goodbye to my princess Reba Rose, dear friend for 13 years😭
Three years ago she tore the tendons in her wrist leaving her front foot useless. We went to a surgeon but at her age (10) surgery was not recommended. I found a company that made a custom brace that gave her total mobility and she didn’t seem to mind it. However over the last year that wrist became very knotty and she struggled and fought through haircuts. I’d wait as long as possible but the extra hair ( matted) and the thick pad it made her leg hot, I had no choice. I knew it hurt her but would go slow and be as careful as I could. My poor girl. But she seemed happy and loved swimming and running around the park. I was so happy when she turned 13! It had been so long since I’d had a teenager!! I noticed over the last month her panting when no one else was ( it’s how they deal with pain) she had been getting pain meds ( not strong) but they didn’t seem to help so we went to the vet. He examined her and said she was in very good health for her age, except for that leg. I had even considered amputation but dismissed it as I knew the other leg would not be able to do the work of both legs for long and the surgery would be very hard on her😥
Last week she didn’t get out of the truck when we went to the park and I knew she was in more pain than I realized. Her sweet loving eyes had lost their spark and I knew I had no choice but to relieve her suffering. As heartbreaking as it is to have them pass on their own, the trip to the vet is worse. We are sad beyond words. Broken hearted. I always feel a little better when they return home to us, where they would WANT to be. Harlee (Ba was her first word, calling Reba) and I will spread some of her ashes at the park, the remainder will rest in my bedroom with my other departed pets. Thank you for all your kind words. They mean a lot to us.