SNIPS AND SNAILS AND PUPPY DOG TAILS...: October 2008

Tuesday October 21st was a sad sad day around our house. We had made the decision to put our beloved Guinness to sleep. It was absolutely terrible and heartbreaking and I am still crying about it as I write. So here's the story...a couple weeks back he started to pee all over and we had been getting up with him during the night and if we didn't, you could be sure that he peed somewhere in the house. It was like having an infant around. seriously. One morning, I even slipped in it. Gross, I know. He peed in the basement and it was like syrup...extremely sticky. I called the vet, I got an appointment for a few days later, and we just had to take extra good care until we knew what was wrong. I did some research and emailed Brandon at work to say I thought it was diabetes. Long story short...I was right. He was diagnosed on Monday with pretty severe diabetes...the vet was having a hard time getting his sugar under control, even after 2 insulin shots. He spent the night at the vet and then came the time to make THE decision. I tried to be sensible and do what I thought was right for us and Guinness, too. After all, he was 12 years and 3 months old. Brandon said I had to call the vet and let him know what our decision was. I did...all while barely able to talk. The vet supported my decision and told me what Guinness would be in store for in the future. Cataracts, blindness.. not to mention that he started to lose his hearing...and taking care of a dog with diabetes was like having a full time job. We didn't think it was fair to him or to us...we didn't want to see him suffer.

I had, what you might call, a STRESSFUL day. The anticipation of knowing what we had to in a few hours was pure torture for me (ask my poor mother-in-law!). Brandon and I didn't speak a word to each other and I cried all the way home from work, all the way to and from the vet and more than once over the past few days. When we got to the vet, Guinness came out from the kennel...just like he did when he was a puppy. He was so happy to see us...tail wagging and bouncing around. Brandon even brought him about 2 pounds of venison to eat. Jill says it was his "Last Supper". We figured that if we chose to keep him alive, he would never be able to have that...so let him enjoy it. He certainly did.

I stayed out of the room until it was all over(Brandon stayed)...I was there when Casey died and I didn't want to see it again. It didn't make a difference...it was all-around bad. terrible.

It has been very strange around here. I find myself looking under the dining room table and it's almost like I can hear him. He was such a huge part of our lives..it is so hard to believe that he is gone. We always joked that when he died, we would stuff him and make a table out of him. Brandon even suggested that we stuff him (kidding, of course) in the sitting position and place him right next to the kitchen table (he liked to beg, to say the least). We cremated him instead of doing any of the foolish things mentioned above.

I tried my best to explain to the boys that Guinness was very sick and wouldn't be coming home again. They seem okay. I don't think they really understand the finality of it all. Matt brought home a really cute picture of Guinness with the blue sky and clouds and a tree behind him with the sentence: "I love my dog." Tears flowing again. I told them that now Guinness has his "angel wings" and is flying around doggy heaven with Casey girl. They thought that was pretty funny. Yesterday, Mikey and Matt were talking and I asked them if they missed Guinness. They both said "yes" and Mikey said: "now daddy don't have to pick up no more dog poop." He also said this to Matt (which made me smile!): "guess what matt? guinness got his angel strings and is flying around up there."

Truth be told...Guinness should have been gone a long time ago. We have had some close calls. I guess you could say he had the luck o the irish on his side. Here are some of the things we've dealt with over the last 12 years:

1. drank a half pot of grease (we used to make chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks at my parents house all the time. Gross, I know.)

2. he jumped through a giant glass window (and came out without even a scratch. He was a bit shaken up)

3. He got hit by a car.

4. Ate a bottle of tylenol pm.

5. Swam around our pool for 6 hours ( because he didn't know how to get out. casey was in and out all day. She knew enough to climb up the ladder.

6. Had a broken foot.

7. got a fish hook caught in his lip (brandon had to save him from drowning).

These are just a couple of the trials and tribulations...if I think of anymore, I'll be sure to post. Guinness was not only our friend...he was everybody's friend. When we left the vet on Tuesday, Brandon said, "Guinness was so nice to everyone. He wanted to be everyone's friend. He was never mean or nasty to anybody. He was such a good dog." He was. We said we will never put ourselves through this ever again...it truly is like losing a member of your family. Matt says maybe we can get a dog when he turns 10. We'll talk about it when he turns 10. Until then, we have our memories to make us smile and even laugh a little. R.I.P. Guinness...we love you!