Wednesday, September 29, 2010

An un expected Goodbye

 This Is our dog Sparticus, my husband and I got him while we were in college he has been a part of our family ever since, he was in our engagement and maternity photo shoot, although I will be the first to admit he took a back seat since J was born.  We called him Sparty and he was nothing short of a wonderful protector and friend, there wasn't a day he wasn't happy to see you, even if you just went out for a minute to take out the trash, the second you walked back in the door he would jump in circles with excitement. Nick and I are holding on to the fun times we had with Sparty like running off leash in the woods, pulling us on our rollerblades, eating doggy ice cream cups, laughing at the way he would always growl at UPS trucks or any truck of that size,  the road trips to florida , how he looked like a person sitting in the front seat of the car,  playing doggy in the middle ( keep away) playing hide and seek, he would always get so scared if you would sneak up on him.... how his lip would get stuck on his tooth and he would look so silly.... only today  we  hold onto these fun times as memories.
it's funny how even a dog can give you a new perspective on life.  Sparty was only 5 years old, not an old dog, he was walking around and playing with Jada last night as usual, and before we went to bed he ate, as usual... and around 1:45 am I heard light whimpering noise coming from downstairs, Nick checked on him, we knew something wasn't right, then I felt his stomach and it was rock hard, I typed in boxer dogs tight stomach into a google search engine and read about "bloat"

we decided I would take Sparty in the the emergency vet hospital to be checked out, while there, we learned that he in fact did have the classic case of air in his stomach and his stomach had twisted meaning the air was stuck and surgery ( a very expensive surgery) was needed asap, only the Dr wasn't so sure surgery would work, as too much of his stomach could have been dead at this point, or because his heart rate was high, he could go into shock during surgery.


sitting alone in a room with your dog, making that dreaded phone call home to your husband to make a decision is the hardest thing I have had to do to date. As much as I have complained of the every day doings of a dog since becoming a mother, the shedding, the mouth noises, the drool, the food on the floor, having to put chairs on the sofa at night so he doesn't sneak up and get the drool, hair and food on it....  these will now be things I miss, I wasn't ready... and its going to be hard...

 he loved you J, he loved to protect you and play with you.
 this is my favorite of all favorites, this photo was taken in college, at my old apartment where dogs weren't allowed. ( shh)
 our original family of 3
 look J, daddy has Earings.... this was a typical study session, Sparty with his Master.
 the good ol' days when it was man and his best friend, college roommates, sharing one bed.

hey always had lots of love to give
 kisses for my Mr man
the last kiss, the hardest kiss, I will miss you buddy, there will never be another dog like you.



SPARTICUS - here is my husbands blog and what he took the time to say today.


we Love you Sparticus.

10 comments:

Mo said...

SO I'm bawling right now...

He was such a sweet dog. He was lucky to have you. So sorry :(
Love you guys.

Mandy Mitchell said...

Girl, I am so sorry. This blog has me in complete tears. I know exactly how you feel. My first dog of my own was a fat Pug named Otis, I got him when I moved to TN. He was my first baby. I loved him so much, but when he was 2 years old he died of a heat stroke during an unusually hot summer here in TN. My heart was shattered. You never really know how much you love your pets, until they're taken from you. My thoughts are with you in this time. Dogs are your babies too.

Ash said...

Tears are pouring...I'm so sorry.

Laurie said...

oh i'm sooo sorry. i bawling my eyes out too. funny how animals become such a big part of your life and family.

Anonymous said...

Oh man. That is so hard. I am totally in the camp that dogs are such a part of the family - sometimes they're more like kids than our actual children are! I'm so sorry to hear that you guys had to do that last night...he was a good boy and you were great doggie parents.

Anonymous said...

Chelssie I'm so so sorry. I know you will remember all of the great things, and of course, that's how a good boy like Sparty would want to be remembered. Hang in there and feel great about the fact that you and Nick gave him 5 years that were probably better than most dogs who live to 15.

Jennifer Gilbert Settle said...

I can't imagine having to make that decision. I am so sorry for your loss. Dogs are such an intimate part of family & my 2 pups might as well be children. Many thoughts & prayers are being sent your way.

Allison said...

So sorry to hear about Sparty Chels!!!

Fay said...

Chels,

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Sparty. You made the best decision for him and now he is running in Heaven and watching over you all still. I know the pain you are feeling and it will eventually subside and you will be left with all the fun goofy memories. I promise! (((HUGS)))

Joanne said...

your post made me cry. I have a dog named Max which we got from the pound. He is a great dog. he is barely two and I can't imagine saying goodbye to him. Your Dog looked like he was loved and he definitely loved you. I hope you can soon look back at pictures of him and smile without pain.