I've Lost My Best Friend.. Options

[JimmyPat]

It is with great regret that I announce the death of my beloved dog Sam.
He was with me at home and passed away on December 28th at approximately 11am. He was 8 & ½ years of age.

The cause of death was that Sam had pleurisy caused by him chewing on a stick or a bone (?) and swallowing a sliver which punctured his esophagus and inserted infection into his chest cavity.
These bacteria caused what is called a lesion on his lung in the plural membrane.
These bacteria are very hard to treat and Sam's chances of survival were very slim.
Our veterinarian and her assistants did everything they could. Sam spent time in their care, after which I was given a grim prognosis. She said I could try to help him pull through at home with love, care & of course medication.

We went home and I tried my best to help him through this terrible time.

Sam’s death was premature and it was frustrating because Sam appeared to be making some progress. His breathing had become less labored, his temperature stabilized and he was drinking water & eating small amounts of food. However, things started to go downhill. He started refusing all food(s) and the water that he drank was for the most part, barfed up. He stopped peeing and got very weak. I helped him to get up and move around a little bit and tried massaging his limbs to help. On his last day, he could not get up at all. He had a pretty heavy duty convulsion. It was horrible for both of us. When it subsided, I decided enough was enough, he was now really suffering. I went outside to get the car out of the garage, to take him to the local vet. When I came in the house, Sam was laying there with his head up and he appeared alert. I offered him a little bit of food and he ate it. I thought, this is great! He laid down again and I offered him some water. No interest. A less intense convulsion ensued and when it subsided, I stroked his face, looked him in the eye and said
“ Sam, God be with you.. if you’ve got to go, you go!”
Three seconds later he died. It was quite surreal. It seemed that after getting my permission. he just went to sleep.
Faithful to the bitter end, such a fabulous dog…

Sam & I gave it our best try.
It has been 8 long days now, it seems so much longer.

God rest his soul, his ashes will be coming home this week,

I love and miss him dearly and remember him fondly.
Anthony James (JimmyPat)