Friday, January 15, 2010

Ode to my Lady Bug

Today was Lady's last day.

She had been with me for four years. I got her when I got Scrappy. I went searchin' for The Scrappers. Animal Shelters, online, different towns, different animal shelters. For months. Then I found him.

When I got there, Lady was in a cage not much bigger than herself. She was scraggly, her toenails were curling under her paws. This dog with one ear up and one ear down, reminded me of a Lady with a hat that had a feather that went with flourish into the air. I got The Scrappers for $85 but I got a bargain for my LadyBug. She was $15. I was told she was 13 years old so they let her go cheap.

Turns out Lady was only 5 and a half years old, but I guess with the gray and white everyone thought she was older. She had been her previous, previous Master since she was a pup and her name was Little Bit. I tried and tried to call her Little Bit but she was a priss. Her Master must have been a tall man because ond day we were walking around the school and a tall man was in front of us. She took off. Running. I had never seen her run in the six months she had been with me. But I sure did this time! I almost did not catch her! She missed her Master very much. When he died, he willed her to his lady friend. Then the lady friend had to go to a nursing home and Lady went into a cage, not big enough for her to turn around in with no solid bottom, just wire, sitting on top of another cage.

She was aloof. She sat in her corner of the couch and surveyed the world with her front paws crossed. She reminded me of a Queen. She did not want to be held but would get in the chair or on the couch with you so long as you didn't touch her. When it was time to go to bed, she would mosey in after a big and would jump up on the bed and curl up on my other pillow.

As time went on, she would snuggle.

She ended up losing all her front teeth, top and bottom, and at that time we found out she was in renal failure.
LadyBug, Crystal, Scrappy and Baxter

This past year, I have watched her begin seizures, lose her way around the house, end up eating baby food, lose control of her bladder and not be able to get on the couch or bed. She lost almost all her hair on her nose and in spots on her body. She was turning white in spots. She was down to 5 pounds today. She had lost 4 pounds in two years but I would bet that she lost 3 of them this year. She was down to bones with skin. (These pictures are not what she looked like today but these are the ones I want to remember.)


So today, she went to a better place. One where she can be with her Master forever and she can follow him all over the hills and dales in peace with no pain anywhere and with loving happy eyes to be seeing him once again. She is happy. Finally.

I realize she was just a dog to some, but to me, she was one of my four legged kids.

Sorry, no kackles today. May God bless each and every one of you today.



19 comments:

Pat said...

Oh, KaLynn, I am so sorry for your loss. Lady Bug was so cute. I'm sure she appreciated that you adopted her. They say that dogs know this. I'd like to think that she'll be with her master up in heaven. That makes me smile.

My sister is going through this ordeal, too. Her husky is in his last days. He has about 2 months left to live, according to the vet. It is so sad. Every day is a gift with the dog, but yet it's so hard. She cries daily. So far the dog isn't in pain. Once she sees him suffering she will put him down.

Janie B said...

What a terrible loss. Those who don't have pets just don't understand what pain it is. I had to have both of my Yorkies put down last year...one in March and one in April. It was devastating. I feel your pain.

f8hasit said...

Oh, I'm sooooo sorry KaLynn.
:-(

What a beautiful tribute to the little Lady Bug.

I had to put down two of my older dogs a year ago and I still miss them.
{{{{{hugs to you}}}}

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss. A lovely tribute to her.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, KaLynn. You were lucky to have each other.
*hugs*

Anonymous said...

{hugs}

No matter how "right" the decision was, it doesn't take away any of the pain!

Ladybug was lucky to have you!

{hugs}

Unknown said...

lady bug has crossed the rainbow bridge to a land full of meadows and trees where all she has to do is play. may her spirit rise up and greet the goddess.

hugz!

DoanLegacy said...

Your post is very moving. Lady bug is such a special dog. I wish her well.

Richard said...

I'm so sorry. :( Pets are as much a part of the family as any one else, and it's deeply tragic when they pass away.

Lauren said...

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Anita said...

I have a little pup and she's my baby. I'm her mommy. My kids are her big sisters. My husband is her daddy. My friend next door is her second mommy and her two dogs are Layla's best friends.

I understand how you feel, and I'm very sorry.

Anonymous said...

Sorry for Lady Bug passing. You gave her a good life. She gave you the same I bet.

Secretia

Anonymous said...

Big hugs to you today. So sorry for your loss. She was a lucky Lady to have been found by a Lovely Lady like you. - G

Bev said...

What a lovely tribute. So sorry for your loss.

Pearl said...

So sorry, KaLynn. Sending you a warm hug and empathetic heart.

Pearl

Mrs Montoya said...

Oh gosh - I am so sorry for the loss. E and I lost one dog together when she was only 4 and we were devastated. Her brother is 14 now and I know that his time is coming. I can't even imagine how much it's going to hurt. My heart goes out to you, KaLynn. God Bless sweet Lady Bug.

Choleesa said...

I am very sorry for your loss

KaLynn ("MiMi") said...

Dearest Friends, I want you to know how much you guys mean to me. I cannot today answer each of you or I will never get this written. As it is I am typing through tears. Thank you thank you thank you so much for the hugs and wishes. It means the world to me. I still think she is with me. I looked up yesterday and thought she was standing there waiting on me to feed her. This is one of the hardest of the dogs for the to let go of. I can't imagine what I'm going to be like when Scrappy moves on. (I got them at the same time)

Anyway, hugs to each and everyone of you. Love to all!
K=0)

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

So sorry for your loss.
xoxo