Friday, August 1, 2008

Bittersweet

We are leaving for Detroit today.  We'll stay overnight and then catch our flight tomorrow morning for Cancun and then head for Playa.  We're all excited and more than ready to go.  Last  night we had to put Chorney, our beautiful German Shepherd, to sleep.  The mood around the house for the past few days has been sad to say the least.  I seem to burst into tears at the oddest moments.

Chorney suffered from Progressive Myelopathy.  This disease is more common in large breed dogs, and most common in Shepherds.  The information highway between the brain and the spine degenerates, leaving the dog with the inability to know where their back end is, what it's doing and what's going on with it.  It's 'progressive' because it moves up the spine from the tail, and eventually takes over the back legs, bowels, bladder, and then the other organs.  In the past few days, Chorney had lost the ability to walk almost completely.  There was no fun in her life.  It was time to let her go.

I'm so thankful to have had her for 13 wonderful years.  She was such a tropper.  She was our security guard, our playmate, our friend, a part of our family.  The house is so strange without her here.

This trip couldn't be coming at a better time.  We all have something else to focus on, and what better than a trip to beautiful Playa.

Rest in peace, baby girl.  You'll be in our hearts forever.

6 comments:

Steve Cotton said...

I am so sorry to hear about Chorney. As you know, I am going through something similar with Professor Jiggs right now. Words cannot make this situation any better. Please know, though, you are in my prayers. Enjoy what she brought to your lives. And enjoy the trip as a celebration of her life.

Nancy said...

I'm so sorry. You know when the time is right, but it is still hard.

Take care.

Brenda Maas said...

I am so sorry about Chorney. Remember all the good times you had with her and be glad that she didn't suffer too much.
Enjoy your trip as much as you can.

Mike Nickell and Cynthia Johnson said...

Beth - You were a good mama for Chorney. We are thinking about you and your family.

Theresa in Mèrida said...

I am sad to hear about Chorney. 13 years seems like such a short time,doesn't it? I realize that big dogs have shorter lifespans and 13 is about average for a GSD, but still it just seems so short a time.
regards,
Theresa

Beth said...

Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts. It was a rough go, but we're all adjusting. This trip was the best thing and timed perfectly.