Early Friday morning I had to say goodbye to Kona, the best dog I have ever had.  Kona was not a tripawd; but she had a malignant intestinal tumor removed April 2009 and had lived with pretty severe arthritis for the past 4 years,  She was a tough, stubborn dog but she had a heart of gold and still enjoyed playing with her toys and keeping the other dogs in line.

Kona had some hard days this winter because of her arthritis but it was the cancer that got her in the end.  Thursday night she came in from outside and collapsed in the living room.  Her gums were white but she was still wagging her tail.  I knew she was in trouble when she vomited and refused any food.  I knew her tumor was slowly growing back so most likely it ruptured through her intestine or metastasized to her lungs and started bleeding.  I knew she couldn't handle another surgery so I gave her a narcotic pain injection and slept on the floor with her (and Julian and Loki) until morning. My husband helped me give her final injection while she slept on her favorite bed.  I wish she could have had one more McDonald's cheeseburger but she was spoiled plenty these past few months.

We got Kona from a shelter in Wisconsin 12 years ago.  She was just another thrown away pit bull puppy who was going to be euthanized because of her breed but luckily I knew the shelter director and he helped me adopt her as a "Labrador mix".  Her antics brought us much joy over the years and she will be greatly missed.  Julian is keeping us pretty busy right now but someday in the future we will get another rescue dog; probably another pit bull or pit bull mix.

Pam

Pam, I am so sorry to hear about Kona.  She wasn't a tripawd, but she was on my special list, for she was a pitbull, my other passion. It is so hard as they age to keep them at their peak and I know you worked so hard for her.  Cancer is the enemy for each of us. There is never any way to know when the angry beast will surface and strike one who has lived in remission for a long while.

She was so very lucky to find you those 12 years ago, so lucky to have a shelter worker willing to label her a 'lab mix' so might live. She was truly blessed. 

RIP sweet Kona.  Run free at Rainbow Bridge.