Kelly

Kelly
2004 - 2017

Kelly was my love, my lifeline, my companion and best friend. She was adopted from the Humane Society and was the sweetest dog ever. She was adopted to give my other dog, Blitzkrieg, a friend and to calm him down. They slowly became best friends.

When Blitzkrieg died last July, Kelly and I spent much more time together. We went on so many walks together and car rides. She loved everything. I loved seeing her cute face looking out at the window at me and waiting at the door for me. She smiled so much when leaning against me getting pet.

I let Kelly sleep in my bedroom and eventually she slept on the bed with me. She was such a bed hog. I loved every second of it.

I noticed on May 2, she didn't want to eat her pills. I hid them under butter on bread. She always ate them before. I could tell she wasn't feeling well. I called the veterinarian and described her symptoms. The vet wrote up a prescription and I picked it up later.

On May 4, I came home from work to let her out and feed her. She was waiting for me. I grabbed her leash and called her name. She took one step and fell over. I immediately called the veterinarian and took her in for an appointment. The vet said her temperature was normal and found nothing during the examination. He drew blood and all of the tests came back negative. He gave me pills to help calm her stomach.

She was weak over the weekend, not eating much and not acting like herself. I called the vet again on May 9 and was told to bring Kelly in next day. The vet called me after doing an ultra sound. He found an abnormal mass in her gall bladder. He suggested I get another opinion on Kelly and suggested two places to take her. I took Kelly to Michigan State small animal emergency on May 11. I described the symptoms to the student doctors and we planned surgery to remove the abnormal mass the next day. I received a call from a doctor at MSU on May 12. She called to tell me that during her overnight examination they found lung cancer and it spread all over her body. I just cried. My best friend had lung cancer. After hanging up with the doctor, the phone just slid from my hand, and the tears were flowing.

I drove up to East Lansing to pick up Kelly. They brought Kelly into the room I was sitting in. She looked so happy to see me. We hugged and kissed. The doctor was talking about the medicine that they were sending home with me to keep Kelly comfortable. The doctor asked if they was anything that I needed. I said take the cancer away. Right after I said that Kelly licked my face repeatedly. I looked over at the doctor and she was crying too. She apologized and said Kelly reminded her of her dog. I asked how long Kelly had. They said probably a few months and I was planning to make those the best for her.

Over the weekend, Kelly was breathing rapidly. She looked so uncomfortable, was barely sleeping and eating. They only time she looked like herself is when I took her outside. Once outside, she did her business and wanted to go back inside. By Sunday, May 14, I knew what I needed to do. As much as I wanted to have Kelly with me, this wasn't the life that Kelly had previously known. It was unfair to let her suffer. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make.

I called the vet Monday, May 15, and scheduled a time to bring her in and put her to sleep. I dreaded the thought of losing my precious girl all day. When I came home from work, I gave her the biggest hug ever. I knew I only had a short time with her left. I told her that I loved her over and over.

When it was our turn at the vet, the doctor picked her up and put her on the table. They gave her a sedative to help calm her down. The sedative helped her relax and she was looking really tired to me. The vet and his assistant came back a couple of minutes later and administered the final drug. Before giving it to her, they asked my permission. I said yes. I knew it was for the best, but it tore me up. My best friend was going to be gone soon. About 20-30 seconds later, Kelly's heart stopped. I hugged and kissed her over and over. I told her how much I loved her. The vet said that he couldn't believe how fast Kelly declined and that he recently had to put one of his dogs to sleep. He came over and hugged me and told me how sorry he was about Kelly. He told me to stay as long as I needed to. I hugged and kissed Kelly again. I told her that I loved her and I would miss her so much. I walked out and looked back at my girl and whispered I love you again.

Kelly has been gone for a week. Life is so much different without her. I miss her companionship, I miss her looking out the window at me, waiting for me at the door and taking her for walks. I miss her sweet face and brown eyes. I look at her water bowl every day and think I should fill it and then remember that she's gone. There is no doubt in my mind that she was an angel that saved my life. And for that, she will always hold a special place in my heart.