Tess was euthanized last night, 8 months after her amputation. Over the last 10 days she had significantly declined. Then last night she refused to eat. Fortunately I wrangled her back to a dog bed next to my bed because I woke up late last night to her breathing rapidly with a desperate look in her eyes. I got her to the emergency clinic where they found she was in florid heart failure from dilated cardiomyopathy. She had lung mets and was in clear distress so the decision was not difficult.

Tess chose me 4 1/2 years ago when she looked up from inside her kennel at the shelter, unfurled her large frame and stood and barked and barked and barked directly at me. That night she laid next to me on the couch, put her head on my lap and heaved a huge sigh. The shelter had told me she was 7 years old and as I petted her that night I told her I would take care of her until the end of her days. She had been seized as part of an abuse case and had been used as a breeder. Her last litter was born in my hallway 2 days after I adopted her. Talk about memorable! Six months later she survived gastric torsion and then weaved herself into my daily life, leaping up onto my bed every night so she could sleep touching me. Even with three legs she could leap up until just a few weeks ago.

We had a beautiful time together and I miss her deep in my bones.

I just wanted to again thank this Tripawd community. Without the information and support I would not have had the strength to get her through the amputation, and we never would have had 8 more months of wonderful life together.