Houdini - dealing with loss
Today, on 9th July exactly 1 year ago, Houdini left us after several months of fighting with arthritis and breathing issues. She has had these breathing issues last year in October.
After a round of penicillin and antibiotics and weeks over weeks of assisted feedings, she finally got better again.
Over the winter months she spent long evenings with us on the couch, just chilling and being cuddled.
Suddenly, after building up a months long evening routine, she suddenly stopped coming up on the couch in February and we noticed her breathing grew more elaborated again. We put her back on antibiotics and she almost immediately needed feedings again. With just 3 lbs any medicine really upset her stomach and lots of G.I. stasis and tummy aches would follow.
At almost 11.5 years old we agreed that nothing else could be done. After all, there is no cure for old age unfortunately. So we made her comfortable. She was put on daily Meloxicam to help with the arthritis that had started with just a small limp in her foot and grew into mayor arthritis in her hips.
Our bouncy girl that could never be contained from running up and down the stairs, on the couch and climbing around on the pillows, got weaker and weaker.
When her breathing issues prevented her from being fed altogether we quickly made the heartbreaking decision to let her go.
It was one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make. But if you love your pet, you will know when it is time, they will tell you, if you listen.
The grieving process was difficult. She had been there with us for so many years through thick and thin. What helped me in the end, was a quote "The Flash" of all things. "Because she was, she will always be". We're just separated by light and gravity...that's all that separates us.
We will never forget our little princess and continue to miss her every day.
