How to even start?

Zack celebrated his 3-month ampuversary earlier this month, his 14th birthday and last chemo treatment last week, and nothing was really out of the ordinary. In fact, he was getting up the stairs much more independently this weekend and we were so proud of him.

Zack slept in this morning past his usual 6a 'I'm hungry/feed me' time, but we attributed it to the large serving of green beans he got before bed, and the treat at his 4:45a pee break. Everything else about the day was normal – we went to work, came home, he was thrilled to see us and wolfed down dinner. Then, around 7:45p, he started to breathe funny, like something was caught in his throat. And, he was acting like he was trying to cough something up. After about a minute of that, I opened his mouth to see if I could see anything, and saw his tongue starting to turn blue. We thought maybe he aspirated some of his dinner or something.

We jumped into the car & got him to the vet within 15 mins. They took him in right away and gave him oxygen and intubated him. After only about 2-3 mins of waiting, the doctor came in to tell us his breathing was a sign of some sort of cardiopulmonary issue and that it was the end. We got to say goodbye and comfort him while he was put to sleep. It all happened so fast, we were back in the car by 8:30p (I even joked to my husband that it was the quickest in & out at the vet we'd ever had!)

While I never would have believed it even an hour before it actually happened, I am so thankful that it happened while we were home, and that we got to be with Zack at the end. And, most importantly, he was himself all the way up to that end, and there was very little pain or suffering. We had a really great life together for 14 years – he got spoiled rotten and in return gave us so much love and so many smiles. We know the next few days, weeks, months will be hard as we adjust to life without his cute little face around, but we are at peace knowing that we did everything we could for him – from the amputation to the chemo to the decision to let him go. We will never know what it actually was (they offered to perform an autopsy but we declined), but with how quickly it came on and no prior signs of distress at all, we really think it was just old age and would have happened cancer or no cancer, chemo or no chemo.

Thanks to everyone in the tripawds community for your support and encouragement over the last 3 months.

I am so sorry to hear about Zack's passing.  I'm glad though that you were there for him at the end and that he didn't suffer.  I know  it's comforting to know that you did everything you could.  When we start this journey, we never know how long it will be.  I believe that by going down this path (cancer and amputation) we appreciate each day with our "kids" a little more.  May happy memories of your life with Zack comfort you as you adjust to life without him.

Lisa

I'm so very sorry.

How things can change so quickly, it's scarey!  But I am glad he didn't suffer and you were there in the end…find peace in that.

RIP Zack..

Hugs to you as you heal from your loss…

XOXO

Tracy & Maggie

We are also very saddened to hear of Zack's passing. You did all that you could, and you were with him in the end. May all your saddness soon be replaced with warm, fun memories of his life with you. Sending you lots of golden hugs!

Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe

We are so sorry for your loss.  I cannot remember where I heard this quote but think it was credited to a child –

"People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply…

Love generously…

Care deeply…

Speak kindly…

Leave the rest to God. 

I'm so sorry to hear about Zack. Please except my most sincere condolences.

Rest in Peace Zack

Fortis'Dad