Over the last 8-10 weeks, we have noticed our furry friend, Chai, struggling more to get around.We tried to make some changes in her diet, adding supplements and pain meds, but, it just wasn't enough. She began having issues eating... and, eventually stopped eating. I would try to offer her people food, but many times she wasn't interested even in that... it was interesting to me because just weeks ago, she ate her food ravenously, in seconds.
Then, she started drinking water... 15 gallons a day... everyone with large dogs need to give their dog a new 5 gallon bucket of fresh water twice a day... but, we had to give three buckets daily. This, of course, caused, excessive urinating... everywhere, every single hour. Ugh!
I would watch Chai day in and day out attempt to get up... sometimes she would attempt 10-15 times to get up off the hardwood floor. It would just break my heart. Sometimes she would walk... and all 4 legs would slip out in front of her. Many times she would attempt to get up and then just lay back down... for hours and hours.
I have been preparing emotionally for several weeks and attempted to get the family to do the same. But, I think many were still in denial.
I couldn't take it any more when I found a huge growth in her mouth and a small area of infected gums on the other side of her mouth. Anyone that has had the need for a crown in their mouth (not on their head) knows that pain radiates to your brain. When I saw Chai hold the side of her face with her own paw... I knew that this decision had to be about her now and not other people's desires to hold on to her for another day... or 6 weeks as we just did.
I cried all day... my heart, body and mind are completely exhausted, but I feel like it was the right thing to do for Chai. She joined our family about 13 years ago... she came from one of the local shelters and was just as sweet as can be. Tyanna had really wanted a dog and daddy finally gave in to her hopes and dreams when Tyanna's teacher commented on our black lab. We kindly told the teacher we didn't have any pets, nor would we ever have pets. But, she insisted that we did... and that we should read Tyanna's stories about her dog. Off to the shelter we went... to find Tyanna a black dog.
Chai was a faithful dog. She met baba at the door every day with a loud bark. Somehow, she even found the energy to get up to greet him one last time tonight. It was heartbreaking to watch. Baba was at the door crying. He knew this was the last time he would hear her bark. There won't be any more "barkers" at the door.
Chai got to go lay out on the grass one final time... she even got brushed by most of the family.
Belle started licking Chai's collar even before Chai left her home to "load up" one last time.
It was a fast process once we entered the room at the vet. We were given as much time as we wanted, but, even that was hard. After about 20 minutes or so, the doctor came in and gave Chai a sedative. Within less than 2 minutes, she was snoring and her eyes closed. About 5 minutes later, she was injected... it instantly took her life. It's hard to say goodbye to a family member. Furry family members are so committed and love their family so much. They just ask for fresh water and food a couple times a day and the opportunity to go outside and take a few potty breaks. Walks and runs are nice; but, just laying beside you all day and night will do.
No one was cooking dinner tonight... so, we celebrated Chai's life well lived with hamburgers and french fries.
When we returned home, we had a furry friend frantically looking for her best friend. Where was she?
Belle ran to look for Chai when we returned. We gave her Chai's collar. She licked it some more. Some of Tyanna's friends came to the door... Belle escaped out the front door past them... she looked left... she looked right... she looked straight ahead. I told her, "No Chai Chai." So, she came back in.
This was certainly not an easy day. Gabriella seems to understand that Chai is with Jesus. Amaris just met Chai 13 days ago (most of those days not wanting anything to do with Chai)... so, it shouldn't be a big deal for her when she wakes up tomorrow. Baba is probably struggling the most. Jordan and Corban joined Jason and I in the room to say goodbye while Veronica and the little ones went to the park to play for a bit.
Our home seems like we are missing someone... it doesn't feel the same. Everyone has gone to bed early... it just was too emotional to deal with. Hoping we wake up tomorrow with some fun memories of Chai that we haven't thought about in a while.
Bye bye Chai Chai. You are no longer in any pain... you are free to run with the other animals in Heaven... give Grandma Nai Nai loves for us. You were a good doggy!
