Gigi

The first thing at Help Desk today, I asked a crying woman if she needed a hug. She fell into my arms and bawled. She was putting her dog down. I told her over and over how sorry I was and that she would meet her sweet pup at the Rainbow Bridge someday soon.

The last thing I did at Help Desk at PACC was stand in the hallway and hold the leash of an elderly boxer. The tech had taken him back to get the vet's opinion on whether he was treatable. The answer was, "no" and she suggested euthanasia. I held the leash while the tech went back up to the customer to see if she wanted to say a final good-bye to her boxer.

The boxer leaned up against me when some strangers came by and that's when I started to cry. I bent down to pet him and told him it would be OK. His owner did come back to the hallway to say good-bye. I handed her the leash, said, "I'm so sorry, " and left in tears.

Little did I know that all of that was foreshadowing what I would experience when I got home today. 







Within 30 minutes of arriving home, a neighbor kid walked through my backyard. This always causes the adrenaline in the dogs to skyrocket a bit and they bark and they bark. This time was different and I don't know why. For some reason the dogs re-directed their energy on my weak, 15 year old girl, Gigi.

The last picture I took of Gigi. Today in her "Old Lady Christmas Sweater".

I was in the bedroom when it happened. The kids ran out and broke up the fight by yelling and waving their arms. All three dogs were shuffled into their crates.

I stopped to look at Gigi. I could see bone on her back thigh.

We took her to the vet within minutes. The kids went to the neighbors and I called Erik to meet me at the vet.

While Gigi was able to get in the car, she couldn't get out and we had to use a stretcher.

The vet said there was a lot of damage. Not just to her leg but a HUGE part of her belly had been ripped away and who knows what kind of damage to internal organs could have occurred. The puncture under her neck was deep.

Once he explained the amount of damage and how it could be even worse once they got inside, we decided that Gigi should not have to go through this surgery, especially at 15+ years old.

She already has a hard time getting around with her arthritis and she's on meds for that.

The vet agreed that putting Gigi down was an acceptable choice. But I'm still sick to my stomach.

She went so peacefully. She didn't flinch or jump or jerk.

I'm so sorry, Gigi. You were the best dog ever. You were so low maintenance, you were like a cat. You were always everyone's friend. We love you and we miss you.

We love you! Good Girl=Gigi