On December 31, 2013 we lost Lexi our beloved 4 footed family member for 10 and 1/2 years. Lexi had a very fast acting cancer.
Lexi was a huge part of my boy’s life and even after my divorce spent special time with my x-husband, Mike. She was a dear, shy, wonderful friend to all of and will be dearly missed…
I think of Lexi as a puppy, so small she could curl up in a laundry basket, her little nose peeking out of her special blanket. Or the look on my son Josh’s (now 23) face when Mike surprised Josh at Kung Fu practice with little Lexi. Now at 79 pounds (Lexi had lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks because of the cancer) Lexi was family and we were heart sick when the results of her ultra sound showed her liver, spleen and major blood vessels were stricken. Lexi had only a few days before the internal bleeding would take over. We had to make some make some major decisions that would make things as easy and stress free for Lexi as possible…
I had recently read about an organization, “Home to Heaven” and felt their ability to have a veterinarian come to our home was the way to go. I also felt that the ability to say goodbye to Lexi in her home where she would be surrounded by those that loved her was a much better option than going into the animal hospital. Plus Lexi was not fond of going to the veterinarian and I didn’t want her final memories to be stressful. My boys were behind me and Mike agreed this would be the best for Lexi.
We proceeded to set up an appointment with Home to Heaven for Thursday, January 2. The staff at Home to Heaven were wonderful and reminded me that if for any reason Lexi was getting worse and we were worried about her being in pain they could come to our home sooner.
Everything happened so fast. The results of Lexi’s ultra sound came back on a Monday and by Tuesday morning Lexi was having trouble breathing and had a very swollen belly (which indicated internal bleeding). I called Home to Heaven and they scheduled Dr. Becky Flemer to come out at 2:00 that afternoon.
As all of us (Mike, Josh, Brandon and his girlfriend Macy) waited for Dr. Flemer we gave Lexi lots of attention and one of her favorite treats. We told stories of Lexi and all the special moments from the last 10 and 1/2 years. All of us were dreading having to face losing Lexi and I have to admit I was worried that it would be stressful or even painful for her.
When Dr. Flemer (Becky) arrived she put all of us at ease. She had a wonderful calm energy and Lexi (normally shy) went right up to her.
Becky went over everything that would happen. First she would give Lexi (just under the skin) a sedative that would put her into a deep sleep. While Lexi was in a deep sleep and when we were ready Becky would administer the drug that would stop Lexi’s heart. Becky also talked about some of the things we might see after the drug was administered such as an increase in heart rate and emptying of the bowels. Though, as Becky also said Lexi would not feel these things…
When we were ready we had Lexi lay on our living room floor surrounded by all of us. Lexi was calm. When we were ready Becky gave Lexi the sleeping medication. Lexi didn’t even feel it. Within 10 minutes Lexi was sound asleep…
When we were ready Becky administered the drug that would stop Lexi’s heart. As Becky was doing this I said the Shem’a, thanked Lexi for the years of love and joy she had given us, that we loved her and would missed her and asked that her soul pass peacefully…
Through tears of sorrow we watched as our beloved Lexi passed. There was not an increase in heart rate and an emptying of her bowels. Lexi passed peacefully, spiritually and without pain…
We knew that our love for Lexi had given her this gift. A peaceful passing in her own home surrounded by the people that cared and loved her…
As sad as all of this was this ritual around Lexi’s passing was something of beauty. Everyone involved knew we had done the right thing in a truly loving way…
A process that left me feeling really good about what we had done and how we had done it. I knew that Lexi’s spirit had gently passed on and “she was home”…
On Wednesday, May 29th, 2013, I will be joining Gail Rubin on her talk show “A Good Good-Bye” to discuss all aspects of pet loss. What crematory or pet cemetery should you use? What are the questions to ask? How do children handle the loss of a pet? Do pets grieve,…. and so, so much more! Join me to hear the answers to these questions and many many more thoughts! You can see more details on the radio show here!
Are you ready to learn more to help grieving pet parents?
The course continues to get rave reviews from those that attend! From comments such as “it was healing for myself to understand pet loss more” to “I loved being with others that make their mission helping grieving pet parents,” the course is amazingly robust with learning, sharing, and hearing what others do to further their work in pet loss companioning.
Won’t you join us? I know you will walk away from the course energized! Click the link above to see the agenda and to register. Trust me, I know your pet parents will thank you!
“See You in September” and “All my Loving” were the last two songs we heard together on the radio.
It wasn´t my station, but they were my songs… I listened to them, and played them on the air long before you were born.
Today you died.
I´m crying at your loss, but happy for your release.
It is hard to say goodbye to such a wonderful “little guy”… More difficult still to know I made it happen!
When I reach the September of my years, I´ll look forward to flying away with you into another world of wonders. I just know you´ll be waiting at the gateway to heaven, sniffing and checking to assure I am in there and I am safe.
You´ve done this with me ever since the first day I met you and we became friends.
As had been your practice with Sherry, you were the guard at the door, ready to warn us of intruders and to bark danger away.
Faithful servant? Much more!
Loving companion, lifelong pal to Chessie (and Biscuit), mentor for Zack.
Charmer to all who met you… regardless of species.
Dog of my dreams.
From now on, that´s where we meet!
I will always hear your nails clatter on the landing (and smell your pee of late at various points in our home).
I´ll never forget your finding me under the covers, no matter how well I hid, and licking my bald head with LOVE.
You are the best!
I know you knew where I was taking you. Not the address, not Dr. Wasem, just the ultimate destination: the “Happy Hunting Ground”.
You were so good in the truck as we drove. Half heartedly trying to leave, mostly sniffing about and looking for a good place and position to enjoy the ride. You did find it.
When we had parked, I took you to a grassy area with a swell pond (lilies and all). You didn´t pee.
We went in, and you met Lance and his “father”. They were making arrangements for a trip to France aboard a Concord, and Lance could sit next to Dad. How cool! (Everyone loved you – they always do, we always always will!!)
I signed the consent form.
We took you in to the next room, weighed you, held you, said special things, and gave you a little shot.
Just as I promised during our “ride”, it didn´t hurt much. Before you had even had time to whimper, you were asleep. And you could see and hear again! And Biscuit was there to bat you with his paws (which work once again). And you see the face of God, and understand so many mysteries that puzzle us people.
Put in a good puppy word for us? Don´t eat the corner of the clock of eternity?
You relaxed, and were no longer afraid. You were sleeping (except of course for the breathing and twitching parts).
I rubbed your back, absorbing your smell… and took your collar. We were left alone to finally say goodbye.
I told you about Sherry´s note, and thanked you for your friendship and service.
I said “goodbye” (for now).
On the drive home (alone) I thought of a paw-print… you put so many on cards to me for special occasions. I´ll call and get one more for Sherry!
Zack was odd when I came in. He knew too. You could clearly see – by the look in his eyes, his need to be held, and some sniffing of your collar on the kitchen rug.
She was a cranky cat. Oh, not with everyone. Just with me, Chris and Curtis, her family! But my Mom loved her more than anything!
She started her life almost 16 years ago, on the hood of a car in Rozel, Kansas, my hometown. Mom had caught wind that the neighbor down the street had a litter of kittens and she was ready for some fur love in the house. And, on the hood of the car is where she found the scrawny little thing.
Well, being a good pet mommy, Mom immediately took her for a quick vet visit, found out that she was in great health – and that she was definitely a “she!” Until today, this would be her ONLY trip to the vet as even as a little kitten, she made it known that a car ride was not her idea of fun.
So, “she´s” a “she.” Of course, Mom had already had the name picked out. And, for those of you who know my Mom, she wanted the namesake to be nothing less than her heartthrob, Elvis. But, the name “Elvis” was not going to work for a little girl – so Mom went with the next best thing – “Presley.” Presley Ann to be exact. And, it truly did fit her.
She lived an amazing life. She not only provided incredible memories for my Mom – but she was so loved by my Dad before he died. Oh, don´t get me wrong, he SAID he didn´t like the “stupid cat” but the countless photos of her and him sleeping together, the water glasses all around the house meant for her, and the “tricks” that he taught her said differently.
Everyone in town knew her. She was such a good friend to my Mom. And, she did love everyone.
Oh, did I mention, she loved everyone except the boys and I. I kid you not, there´s not an animal in this world that doesn´t love me. Except her. She really did have a beef with the boys and I. Not sure what it was – but when we entered HER house, she hissed, screamed at us, and we never saw her again the whole weekend. Jealous? Not sure – but she was consistent. It was the same every time. I guess there always needs to be “one” to keep us humble, huh?
So over the weekend, sick in her old age with an uncureable something, Presley went to the vet for only the second time in her life. She was not going to get better and my Mom made one of the toughest decisions of her life.
RIP, Presley. Thank you for being such a good pussycat and friend to my Mom. She really did love you and I know she took the best of care of you. You wanted for nothing.
Now, go be a good angel. Watch over her like she did for you.
Oh, and do one thing for me. Say hello to Mico and Mike the Dog for me, too.
According to the Bleacher Report, Vick is still dealing with the backlash from a federal conviction on dog fighting charges. Interestingly enough, about 60 percent of fans polled disliked Vick, tying him with Woods, but more people expressed a strong dislike for Vick compared to Woods.
Did you read that? People are a bit more understanding of a cheating sex scandal than they are of crimes committed against animals?
Also, what´s interesting about the 60% of fans polled, as mentioned above, is that 62% of people have a pet. Funny how those numbers so closely match.
Reading more on another site I found this statement:
Michael Vick´s awareness (42 percent) is up there with Peyton Manning, but a lot of it is people knowing him for the wrong reasons,” Stephen Master, VP of Sports for Nielsen, was quoted as saying on Forbes.com. Mogollon´s Take: Vick was deeply involved in criminal activity, which included dog fighting and killing dogs. While time heals some wounds, there are many in the public that will never forgive No. 7, nor should they have to. Even for the hardcore fan, dog fighting is pretty high on the list when you think of Vick…it´s in his opening obit paragraph for sure.
The opening paragraph of his obit? Wow. Huge.
Why do I share this information with you? This story is a clear example of how seriously pet lovers take the treatment of pets. Are you a death care operation that still says “our business will not go to the dogs because it´s ridiculous that people would want them treated with dignity and respect. We are NOT about that?” Because you know that pet lovers that comprise 62% of your market WILL remember that.
Or, would you rather be that business that has 62% of its market saying “Go to XYZ Funeral Home.”
Because, trust me – pet lovers will shout this information from the mountain tops.
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