Last summer we noticed a lump on our dogs side. We brought her to the vet and found out it was cancer. Between cancer and arthritis, we were told our best hope was for her to make it until winter but she would probably not make it through the winter.
Over the past few months, we found new lumps. They were starting to appear everywhere. We knew her time was coming. We would manage her pain with medication until the medication no longer was helping.
That time came last week. Each day she became less mobile. Doing the stairs became increasingly difficult. Twice she fell coming down the stairs. She would cry at night trying to get comfortable to sleep. She would go outside and bury herself in the snow to have the cold on her larger lumps. We knew it was time.
We told the kids last month that Sierra was dying and would be going to heaven soon. On Tuesday when they came home from school we had to tell them it was time. The next morning Sierra would be going to heaven. We cuddled her, we loved her, we took her off her diet and let her eat as much as she wanted.
On February 1st, 2017 at 12:15 pm my baby girl went to heaven.
She was my baby girl. It was her and I. I had her longer than my kids. Before Tobei came along. She saw me through an abusive relationship, deployments and many late nights filled with stress and worry. She was an angel with the kids. From the moment I brought them home from the hospital, she was always checking on them and running to them at every whimper before it became a cry.
She was our protector. Always checking the yard for intruders (even if they were just squirrels) and would become alert at any unknown sounds in the middle of the night. She loved to chase tennis balls and sticks. Her favourite game was keep the stick away from the human. A fresh snow fall was her favourite and she would go hopping like a rabbit in the snow and digging tunnels through the deep parts.
Losing a pet is never easy. They are a part of the family. She was my fur baby. I miss her like crazy and no dog will ever replace her.
We are all handling it differently. Little Brother is doing the best from what I can tell. He is ok knowing that Sierra is in heaven and he will see her again when he gets here. Big Brother is not handling it as well as his brother. Like me, he is breaking down crying multiple times a day. Last night he said he hates this week and it was the worst week ever. Today I gave him a mental health day off school and let him play on the computer all day. Tobei as well is having a very difficult time but seems to be the stronger one between us.
Saying goodbye to my baby girl was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am finding comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain and chasing all the tennis balls and squirrels that her heart desires up in heaven.
Rest In Peace Baby Girl. Thank you for 10 amazing years and being the best dog I could have ever asked for.