I am just devastated. We just got home today from one week at the Polynesian. Had a lovely week with my family..but everything took a turn on Friday.
On Friday, my neighbor who was pet sitting for us, took our black lab to the animal hospital because he was vomiting and not acting right. He was admitted right away and many tests later and 5 minutes before Circ du Soleil we learned he had a large mass on his kidney.
Come Saturday and many calls back and forth with the vet, he was doing much better and he went home last night and stayed with my neighbor. She has a black lab too and is just amazing.
She called us at 4:30 this morning while we were at the hotel still and she was bringing him to the emergency clinic as his breathing was so labored and heartrate elevated, fever. We tried so hard to get hubby an earlier flight but the only one available he didn't have time to make.
We stayed in touch with the hospital throughout the day. As soon as our plane landed, we came home, left our luggage, left the three kids with my neighbor and went to the hospital where our beloved dog was suffering so bad. They did everything they could to keep him comfortable but he was so tired and in pain..he could hardly lift his head..his little tail wagging because he was happy to see us. My husband and I made the very heart wrenching decision to put him to sleep. My husband was sooooooooo close with this dog. My heart aches for him so bad.
He was only 3 years old but has such a long history of poor health.
We are just devastated...we were checking out of the hotel and barely able to keep composed...CM offering me tissue box..ugh!
We fly southwest. I am usually very on the ball with checking in 24 hours in advance. We have a little boy with *severe* adhd and sensory issues and absolutely cannot sit alone on the plane, but is too old for family boarding between a and b group. I just plan accordingly and always get us A group so it's not a problem.
I NEVER have gotten that blue disabled sleeve before, but I had completely forgotten to check in until late last night and we got the very end of B group.
At the airport just before boarding I asked the guy at the gate if he would qualify for family boarding and he said no I had to get the blue sleeve, so I did. Again, normally, I wouldn't have, but I had to make sure one of us was sitting with him..so, ok, I got it.
WELL, as I was boarding, I went in front of the family boarding, as is the procedure, and this man in line at family boarding says loudly, "why are they going before us?" and the lady says "because there's nothing wrong with _____" and the man yells, "well there's nothing wrong with that little boy either!!!!" and the lady says quietly "he has a medical condition" and the man mumbled something as I was entering the walkway.
I just could have died of embarrassment. As if the day didn't suck enough..so we're seated on the plane and a bunch of families walk past us giving us dirty looks. The man at the gate I do not think was happy with me because I didn't get the blue sleeve in advance. I just was not familiar with that at all.
I think I have learned today something major....that seriously, not all disabilities are "visible" and not to judge! Yes, I am guilty. Even at Disney I was guilty this week with all those ECVs or whatever they're called. My heart broke for my son, who truly can do a lot of things, but absolutely cannot yet sit alone on the plane.
Maybe there would have been empty seats, I don't know..but for goodness sake, is it the end of the world that just once I utilized a service that he is eligible for??
And to top it all off with a great big cherry...I broke a freakin nail as I buckled my 5 year old's seatbelt.
Sigh...home again home again jiggety jig!
Losing a pet can be very hard. I'm glad you had a good trip anyway and at least it didn't ruin your vacation by happening earlier. 
I find great comfort knowing that we stopped him from suffering anymore. I just feel horrible now for my dh who is taking it hard..and my ds.
