Sherlock, my 12 year old golden had died in his sleep after a long illness, cancer. Like our friend Buddy he too, had his right leg removed in January, after he began to limp. We thought it was arthritis. You'll have to pardon my spelling right now. I just need to process abit
When he left the hospital in January they had seen no other traces of this disease in his body. It was thought a great success and Sherlock did very well and really I guess was not ready to go. Unlike Buddy he was older and adjusted well to life with one lone aging arthritic leg. Recently he a hard time with that one and finally it just seemed to give out. I took him to the vet and they x-rayed and sonared etc etc, and found he was riddled with it, his chest 2 nodules his spine near his liver. This was early in July. Of course I took care of him, I walked him with a towel until my back hurt , and finally my vet gave me a cart which I adjusted for him. It took forever to get it right but when I did it worked great and he appeared to not mind being in it.
I dreaded this day for so long. I worried about having to take him to the vet and putting him down, holding him saying goodbye to the dog that had been by my side for 12 years. I left him yesterday with my mother and brother out on shelter island a small island off long island, after going for a long walk with him and his brother Houdini, a litter mate. I fed him and he seemed to be fine. Put him in the yard said goodbye and went off for two days in the city where I had some meetings. Funny I had to come back after leaving two times because I forgot stuff. He just lay there watching me every time. He worsened some two hours after I left. My brother commented that he did not think he would make it through the night. He died in his sleep with my mother watching TV and his brother there. I feel sad I was not there, but my memory of him will always be him laying there in the yard. He had had an attack of a hard breathing last Monday and I thought that was going to be the time, but was fine later that day. I worry that my walk with him was too strenuous and that it killed him. It was not it was the cancer. I was told this morning. I guess they did not want to let me know last night for whatever reason. That's a family for you. In January right after Sherlock got out of the hospital, he was playing with some other dogs and lost his footing and fell down the Palisades at a friends house in Upstate New York. A remarkable rescue story that appeared in the Newspaper the next day and of all people Howard Stern and his side kick made fun off the rescue the next day on their show. I always disliked them anyway. All in good fun eh? Anyway the rescue effort for this little town of Palisades was wonderful at least 25 people were involved. They finally came and got us as I went down to the waters edge and sat in the water with him while waiting for the zodiac scuba guys to come get us. When I go there he was in the water holding on with his two front paws. The water was 33 degrees. Perseverance, courage what a dog. Always the passive one, Houdini was the dominant one, never really like the tennis ball. I always called him the wise one knowing this tennis ball thing was for dumbbells. He was a great dog and I will miss him so so much. the pain is great and I sit here crying my eyes out over this loss, and wonder . I know he is ok I know he is without pain and I know he is in a better place that I can imagine playing and waiting for Houdini and I as always. I love you Sherlock. I am sorry I was not there when you went to sleep.
If any one is still reading this long laborious letter
and have any suggestions. I would like to hear thought or experiences on
litter mates who pass on before the other one. Should Houdini have another
golden brought into the home. I had thought of doing this before Sherlock
left but timing. I thought of getting a rescued dog, from one of the shelters
I have seen. A 1 to 3 year old, he like being around younger dogs. He is
well and very fit, ball crazy too. Well I end here and ask that everyone
think for a moment about my Sherlock and send out a good thought to him.
Thank you. God Bless. John Hoving