Mary and Adam, we are so sad to hear this news about sweet Caira Sue.  Our thoughts are with you.  Janette, Torsten and Montana

Mary and Adam,

Noooo, I could not believe it when I read your post.  I just told Koda the other night about Caira Sue and how she went through the same thing as him and the same leg at around the same time (after I read your post).  I am so so sad to hear about your loss.  Her photos proved that you guys lived each day to the fullest and were great pawrents to her.  Some would say that she was lucky to have you as her pawrents, but I'd like to think that you were lucky to have her in your lives to teach you all she has taught!!!! 

Sending our love and thoughts,

Storm and Koda 

Who knew that Caira Sue had touched so many people? Thank you all for your comments. I've been reading them over and over. It's cathartic and it helps.

I was worried that we were focused on her legs, due to the recent diagnosis of hypertrophic osteopathy. Even though we look back and realize she had it for probably a month, it seems like her pain was significantly worse. That was allieviated when we went to the onc vet yest evening and he said he was amazed at how much more swollen and hot they had become in 2 days. We weren't focusing-we were listening.

I'm proud of our girl for being able to walk in there with dignity. I'm proud of her for holding her head up even though she was in obvious pain. I'm proud of her for telling me when it was time to go.

I can't say enough about how kind they were at UCDavis when it was time. And as I said before, a great weight lifted and we felt her move about the room as soon as it happened. We spent a long time in there with her afterwards. We could sense she was still with us, but feeling better as part of the pack. I guess I would have to say that she now feels awesome…as that is her best feeling of all. 

And now she's up there, somewhere, charging forth with all the other tripawds yelling "I'm a dddoooooooggggg!" and they are all playing and sniffing and swimming and feeling no pain. That's a wonderful thought.

Sue, I wrote you a PM about the box. It was lovely to get, and the beef trachea will go to a dog (as opposed to me and Adam, thank you very much!)-which is how I'm sure Queen Nova would prefer it. I think she said to let all DOGS have beef trachea….didn't she? And Queen Nova is now posted on my fridge, so I can see her beautiful mug every time I go to get a drink.

Di, I did see Max and Caira sniffing out the grass and taking strolls together, and I suppose that's what they are doing now. And if either have their way, then they are probably strolling on over towards a beach somewhere. 

I honestly don't know if Caira is really hanging out with her 4th leg or not. She never missed it, and I'm not sure it's something she would be looking forward to. She could do everything she did with 4 once she had 3. She's a super-dog…even across the bridge. 

And oh, speaking of bridges, Adam seems to think the bridge she is on is more like the Arches in Utah. Maybe he is right…she did start out as our desert Rez dog afterall. So go ahead and add that to the scene for her, would ya?