This is one of the saddest days for me in my life. Annie, my standard poodle, age 9 and a half, passed away at 10:15 this morning. I didn't visit her yesterday because the vet thought she would "pout" if she couldn't go home. I called this morning and he said that she wasn't doing well. That her stomach distension had disappated but he did a barium swallow and she had mega esophagus and with the weakness he was going to test her for myasthenia gravis. She also developed a pneumonia during the night and a fever this morning. He was treating her with antibiotics and steroids, along with Reglan. DH had the army today and my neighbor drove down to the hospital with me. When we arrived, the doctor said that her condition deteriorated in the hour that we had spoken. I went into see her and she was struggling to breathe. She had some drool at her mouth but when she saw and heard me, she turned towards me. I cradled her in my arms, her head on my forearm. I gave her some kisses and she stretched out, looked at me in my eyes, took her last breath and passed away. Ever considerate, even at the end, she spared me a decision that I was incapable of making. I am so distraught that I can't put it into words. I brought her home and we will be burying her tomorrow at my brother in law's house. His MIL lives next door and they have a farm where 8 other dogs are buried. We have a lot of clay and wet land in our back yard and so there is really no good place. Their farm is well drained, sandy top soil and a better place. Also they will live there forever. I can't say the same about us. It seems like a more "permanent" resting place. I won't tell you that she was the best dog in the world because we all feel that way about our dogs. She went everywhere with me, played football and comando with DSs, went with DS 24 to visit his friends, loved shopping at Petco, liked visiting the vet, riding in the car, sleeping in my bed, watching dog shows on tv. I can't say enough about her and I can't believe she is really gone.


's Your words give me a lump in my throat.
Know well though that Annie is there by the bridge and you have wonderful, lifetime memories, till you meet again.