My beloved Dutch Shepherd, Cassie, went to the Bridge this morning.  Of all my dogs, Cassie was the one I was the closest to.  I have a huge hole in my heart.

Cassie had a heart attack on Dec 10^th, and it was discovered during treatment over the next few days that she also had kidney failure.  I told the vet I could not lose two in one week – that my heart couldn’t take it.  So many dollars later, my Cassie came home.  She came home as my old Cassie girl.  Wagging her tail.  Eating good.  Drinking water and urinating fine.  Cassie loved to “go.”  So during the past weeks, Cassie got to go with me. 

Cassie did not eat much on New Years Eve.  On New Years Day, she ate even less.  I took her to the vet on Monday, before we started the 28 pup/dog rescue.  I had some personal crises to handle and left her there until yesterday (Wed).  I went to pick her up and the vet informed me that after more IV’s, blood work, and x ray of the heart, that her heart was larger than a melon, but smaller than a volley ball.  And that she had not eaten at all.  Cassie was still woozy, but I brought her home for one more night.  The vet said that he did not think Cassie was in pain.  And after getting her home, there were no indications of pain, even after she sobered up.

Cassie turned her nose up at Bil Jac.  Then I opened a jar of baby food.  It all but evaporated.  I fed her five jars of baby food and she licked the plate.  When I turned the TV off, all dogs knew that is the sign that momma is going to bed.  She got up and walked to the bedroom and laid down on the floor on my side of the bed.  I got up this morning and Cassie was on the couch.  She was bright eyed, tag wagging, doing her big front feet up dance.  When it was time, I said Cassie do you want to go?   She jumped off the couch, walked to the door, waited for me, went out and stood sitting at the passenger door of the Explorer.  She looked at me as if to say… well, are you coming or not?  Then, she climbed into the passenger seat of the Explorer.  That was “her” seat.  Cassie took her last ride.

I had had some extra quality time with my girl.  The cost was well worth those few extra days.  We enjoyed the extra days we had together.  But the events of this week were not a quality life for my girl.  I got to say my goodbyes last night as we lay on the floor together.

Cassie was at the Bridge to welcome Louie.  And my Scooter, and all the others that have crossed the Bridge and are waiting for their own caregivers.   I will see my babies again, soon.

Nancy Twitty
Lake Whitney Humane Society