Sunday, June 29, 2008

My four-legged friend

Jebo, laying across my queen sized bed. This was taken a year ago.













My dog Jebo was 13 years old, and just within the last year or so started showing her age. She had cataracts, couldn't hear very good, had arthritis in her hip joints, and within the last four months started having violent seizures. We took her to the vet's office, and they couldn't find anything medically wrong with her that would cause seizures. We put her on anti-seizure medication and a medication for the arthritis. I had to crush the pills and put them on a half peanut butter sandwich.

Yesterday we took her back to the vet for a check up. Before we took her to the vet's office she had another seizure. The vet still couldn't find any reason for them, her liver was good, her kidneys were good, she didn't have worms. The only conclusion that the vet had was that she probably had a brain tumor. The tests for that are expensive and she would still be treated with medications.

So we refilled her prescriptions and took her home. She seemed to be doing fine. She'd been eating and drinking, yet she lost weight. Later that afternoon she had another seizure. We had to take her to the Humane Society to have her put to sleep. The seizures had affected how her back legs worked, this last one affected her front legs. We just couldn't see her suffer anymore. We are both wondering now if some times when she would be running in her sleep weren't actually small seizures.

She was grateful that we took her to be put to sleep. She knew that she would no longer suffer as she had been.

Jebo will be missed, she had a very long, loving life.

2 comments:

Jack K. said...

I will miss her too. She was a great friend. I remember our first meeting as if it were yesterday. She allowed me into your world without a moment's hesitation and I am forever grateful for that.

You probably read the following from Karen at my blog, but it is too good to keep to myself.

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...."

Author unknown...


I wouldn't be surprised if Jebo and Hazel were sharing a rousing game of chase the cat.

I love you very much and grieve with you.

Please forgive me for taking so long to read and respond to your posting. I had very little access to computers for the past few weeks.

shannon said...

i am sorry to just be writing this now...

dad once told me that the depth of our grief is a sign of the span of our love (or something like that).

hugs, until i can give them to you in person.

xoxo