R.I.P., Marlee Mae

 Better days...

Today was a very sad day.  We put our beloved Marlee to sleep.  I haven't mentioned anything about her on here for awhile, mainly because there hasn't been much to say.  We've known there's been something wrong with her but tests had been completely inconclusive except to say that her protein levels were elevated.  The last bit of tests were done right before we left for Boston for Christmas.  The specialist gave us a prescription for a low protein diet and some meds to help her kidneys.  But it didn't seem to work.  Her poor legs were all swollen because she was retaining water and eventually fluids started retaining under her belly too.  That added some weight to her but other than that, she kept getting skinnier and skinnier (which is saying a lot for an Italian Greyhound).  She was still eating though and heartily at that so we still had hope.  And she wasn't crying like she was miserable either.  But over the last four or five days, things started going down hill.  She could walk around (gingerly) but she had a really hard time getting herself to stand up.  On Sabbath after we finished lunch, Duncan went over to the crate and smelled something foul.  She had gone to the bathroom on herself because she couldn't get up.  Duncan gave her a bath (which she usually hates but she barely moved a muscle this time) and when she got out, she immediately went to the bathroom on the floor and she really looked so pathetic all wet because you could see every rib.  That's when we knew.  We called and made the appointment for this morning.

We did tell the girls ahead of time what was happening.  Obviously Aubree doesn't really get it and maybe Calleigh doesn't exactly either but Calleigh did say at a few, just random, times over the last two days, "I don't want Marlee to die forever and forever."  I told her it wouldn't be forever and that we would see her in heaven someday.  And she said, "Like Mimi and Grandpa's daddy?"

Getting ready to go this morning.

I REALLY didn't think I could handle going through the whole actual experience of it.  But neither did Duncan.  I knew one of us had to and I thought to myself, "If Aunt Lori, can do this, so can I."  It was a fitting day with torrential rain and thunder and lighting.  Our appointment was at nine and as it turned out, Ron and Elaine came and took the girls out for breakfast so both Duncan and I could go.  We went into the room and after explaining what was going on with her, the doc confirmed this seemed like the only option at this point.  She then explained that they would first give her a sedative and then after a few minutes, they would give the other.  She gave the sedative and then I took Marlee in my arms in her blanket and just held her for what felt like forever.  At that point I just wanted it to be over with.  This just gave Duncan and I all the longer to cry some more.  Marlee's eyes were open but she was pretty much out of it.  Finally, the doc came back and Duncan had to leave the room.  She gave the last shot and within about five second it was over.  You know it's for the best but that sure doesn't make it any easier.  This was the first time I've had to experience this with a pet that was mine.  Sure, I had family pets growing up but this was a dog that I bought with my own money.  I can remember seeing her tiny little body pressed up against the back of the crate when I picked her up at the airport (I bought her from a breeder in Nebraska).  That was October 10, 2000.  That was my first hint that she would be the quieter, more nervous one compared to her gregarious older brother.  It took her a long while to get to the point where she would even stray out of my arms.  She was so different from Dewey but I think that's what made them such a good pair.  She was born on August 4, 2000 so she was 10 years old.  It's weird to use the past tense...

We didn't want to have to deal with a burial or anything so we decided to get her cremated.  I don't want the ashes to just sit around here (for the kids to get into or something) so I think we'll bury them.  I know some people will spread the ashes over a place that was important to a deceased person or pet and I told Duncan I think a fitting place for Marlee would be to just throw them in the trash.  Honestly, that was one of her favorite spots.  I don't know how many times I yelled at her about that.

Another of her favorite spots.  Honestly, if you have little kids, it's worth it to have a dog just so they can clean up all the messes.

So, here we are.  It's hard to believe.  Poor little Aubree.  She just loves the dogs and already a few times today she's stuck her head into the crate looking for her and saying "Marlee, Marlee."  Just breaks my heart.  Dewey seems okay so far but I have no idea how he'll be going forward.  As I told Duncan, Dewey and Marlee went together like peanut butter and jelly.  It will seem weird to say "Dewey" and not follow it with "Marlee."  But, as I told Calleigh, this isn't the end.  I'm a firm believer we'll see our pets in heaven and I can just see Marlee now running through a field with a big smile on her face.  I hope she won't be too disappointed when she realizes there's no trash in heaven.

To all my family that has called this evening, I didn't mean to ignore you.  I had to do some work and then I really wanted to post this.  I got your messages and I appreciate it.

Here are some parting pictures of the best friends: