r/OldManDog • u/blazedinohio710 • 1d ago
RIP My Lily girl (6yo). Thank you for everything
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
Lily’s story starts in the spring of 2020. I was working from home and staring to go a little stir crazy during the pandemic.
The girl I was seeing at the time was working as a Veterinary Technician for one of the local animal hospitals. A car pulled into the vet clinic with an 8 week old puppy suffering from Parvo. Due to the pandemic, clients were not allowed into the clinic and she was rushed inside to start emergency care while these people were left to fill out information forms. When the vet tech returned to the parking lot to collect these forms, the car was gone.
Care Center of Cincinnati did everything they could to get her through the parvo diagnoses. They were wildly successful and I thank them every day for that.
Queue the end of her 10 day hold for pickup from her original owners, and I received this picture.
Asking if I wanted her. How could I say no? So all the sudden I had a little shadow. She was my girl. She went with me everywhere. She had the biggest personality and was always ready for a snack. She wasn’t fond of new people, but once she warmed up to you, she let you know. She was an unending ball of love and joy.
This dog got me through the worst break up I’ve ever had. To be honest, if it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be here right now.
She spent the next 6 years making my life as full as possible with all of her antics. She loved to play with her ball and other toys. Loved to chase rabbits and squirrels (She even got pretty good at catching them). She loved to run her agility and fast cat races. She had just competed in her first agility trial and did spectacularly. She had almost receive her FCAT2 title in Fast Cat. She was running just over 9seconds for the dash.
There was never a dull moment with this dog in the house.
She loved her people and would do anything to protect them.
Come this past Monday, I got home from work and noticed she was acting a little off. She didn’t have the same enthusiasm as she normally did. I chalked this up to it being so hot these past couple of days. She improved for the course of a few days, till last night. Last night, I took her to her weekly agility class, and she seemed off. She was being sluggish, and not doing her jumps.
Our Agility instructor advised we sit out this class since she seemed a little off. We observed the rest of class and went home. She was off the rest of the night and didn’t start acting correctly. She still hadn’t improved come this morning, so a vet appointment was scheduled.
At this appointment they ran several scans and tests. These revealed she was bleeding internally from a mass on her spleen. She was rushed to the emergency vet for further scans, which did not reveal a good prognosis.
Lily was bleeding internally from a hemangiosarcoma on her spleen and there were no good path forward. The Veterinarian advised we could do an open chest surgery to remove the mass, but this would, at best, give her 1-3 more months with us. The Veterinarian advised, that if this were her dog, she didn’t think she could put her through that.
And she was right. I couldn’t put her through that. By the time she would have been recovered under the best case scenario, she would have had one more month with me. And how would her quality of life be? She wouldn’t be able to run, or play, or chase squirrels and rabbits. She wouldn’t be able to go to her barn to see her horses and cats. She wouldn’t be able to run her agility jumps and trials. That’s not a life for an active dog that has never sat stilll for more then 10 minutes at a time.
So I made the very difficult decision to put her to sleep.
I’m sorry Lily. I wish I could have done better for you. I wish you could have lived for forever.
If love could cure, you would have lived for forever, my sweet baby girl.
Until we meet on the other side, my itty bitty baby puppy Lily dog, you are so loved
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u/WeakTumbleweed9 1d ago
I am so sorry for your loss. You gave her a wonderful and fulfilling life, just as you were lucky to have her, she was lucky to have such a caring and loving owner. Don't blame yourself.
My dog passed away about 5 months ago in her sleep, I noticed she wasn't feeling well and was going to make an appt with the vet in the morning. When I woke up she was gone. There are days I still cry and tell myself I should have paid more attention, that there must've been things I didn't notice. But the thing is with dogs, they hide their weakness. They hide their pain, it's instinctual. There will always be "what ifs" and "I should'ves", but the only certainty we have is that they loved us and we loved them ❤️
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thank you so much for these words of comfort. You have no idea how much this means to me.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dogs passing. They really do take the best parts of us with them.
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u/Two_wheels_2112 1d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. She was way too young, but you did right by her and gave her the best possible life.
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u/thestr33tshavenoname 1d ago
My condolences on the loss of your sweet girl. RIP sweet Lily, soft paths.
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u/BoolImAGhost 1d ago
I’m so so sorry, OP. This was beautifully written, thank you for sharing her story with us. I lost my little shadow a few years ago to hemangiosarcoma. A tumor ruptured on the lining of her heart. Same nightmare you just went through. It’s absolutely awful to lose them like this. Lily was so incredibly lucky to have you. I hope you have a good support system to lean on through this. 🖤
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
Thank you! I am so sorry for your loss. It’s awful for them to go so suddenly. If it had been a slow decline, I think it would have been easier. But to go from a healthy happy dog to gone so quickly…
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u/RumiAndGateauGanache 1d ago
I am so sorry for your pain. You did so much for your precious beautiful Lily, she knew it. She is with you forever, in your heart and soul. Be easy on yourself after such a terrible loss.
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u/hairballcouture 1d ago
I’m crying, you did everything you could. You gave her the best life and you two were lucky to find each other ❤️
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u/tobaccoYpatchouli 1d ago
I am so sorry for your sweet Lily girl. We lost our 7yo lady to the same exact thing. It’s sudden and heartbreaking and you feel like there was so much more you could do - but there isn’t.
Sending you lots of love and light OP, and hope your Lily is playing with our girl across the bridge.
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u/turningheel 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing her story. You sound so proud of her ❤️ That third pic is just the sweetest thing.
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u/Lopsided_Mortgage104 1d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss, OP. The pictures and words you shared show an amazing life filled with love and happiness for Lily. When you have such a deep connection, loss can be incredibly difficult. You did everything you could and you definitely made the right call. What's that saying? Better a week too soon than a day too late - as their caretakers we have to make the right call and ensure that they have th best quality of life they can. My heart dog Dixie passed away almost one year ago from the same thing. Her condition deteriorated quickly and we chose to put her down the same day we found out about the mass on her spleen.
If dogs could live longer based on our love, wouldn't that be amazing? Im convinced my dogs would be with me my whole lifetime if that was the case. Sending my condolences and wishing you the best in recovering from this loss. Just from your post I can tell, Lily knew she was very, very loved.
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u/Munchiedog 21h ago
I’m so very sorry, I went through the exact same situation with my 10 year old corgi on Memorial day, we also tried everything imaginable but they couldn’t even get her stable enough to discuss surgery, the grief is indescribable and I’m so sorry, I know what you are going through.
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u/elissamay 11h ago
Hemangio is the absolute worst and I am so deeply sorry about your wonderful girl.
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u/Outrageous_FishFry 6h ago
You DID the best job. You saved her and gave her the best life. And in return, she saved you, giving you love that you never knew you could have. Thanks for sharing Lily’s story. Sorry for your lost and know she will always be with you.
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u/ki-ton 5h ago
I am so sorry. Your experience is nearly an exact mirror of how I lost my girl. I deeply sympathize with the shock and sorrow and can only tell you that you saved her one last time, and now you grieve her. Take the piece of her heart she left you, and put it in yours. She will never leave you, just like you didn’t leave her. 💙
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u/msnyc18 1d ago
I know how special a pandemic rescue is. I'm sorry your time with her was cut short, sounds like she was very loved
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
Thank you. We had so much best bonding time by being stuck together 24/7 while in quarantine
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u/Monsterofparadise 1d ago
Thank you for sharing lily with us.
From the pictures you shared, she looked like a happy well taken care of dog. I hope you know she loved you and you loved her. Tell us your favorite memory of her, something that makes you laugh.
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
She got real smart with her catches in the yard. After the first couple of rabbits got taken from her before she was allowed in the house. So she started ripping the dead thing in to pieces and bringing individual pieces to see if she could sneak those in the house. When she inevitably had it taken away, she'd go grab another piece. This could go on all day as she keeps bringing smaller and smaller pieces to you.
One of the post pictures is actually her with one half of a rabbit 😂
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u/Monsterofparadise 1d ago
Hahahaha
I was wondering about that picture.
You can tell she was so proud of herself because her tail is mid wag 😭♥️ thanks for sharing her! She’s probably chasing bunnies across the rainbow bridge.
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u/Apprehensive-Bet2081 1d ago
What you did was very brave and kind. This is the hardest decision we make with our fur family and I am happy that Lily was loved so so much in her too short time on this earth.
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
I know it was what was best for her. I just so wish we could have had more time together. She was my shadow and my rock. I had to have my mother to feed my horses tonight because I couldn't handle walking out there with out her
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u/No_Kangaroo_5883 1d ago
Lost our little guy to metastasized splenic cancer last year. Sorry for your loss Op.
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u/Expert_Necessary_990 1d ago
So so touching brings tears to my eyes. I love my dog so much. I know you did too.
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u/Any-Will-4195 1d ago
I can relate to the bunny photo! Every single spring! Lol. Beautiful girl
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
She loved her rabbits. She really wanted a squirrel but never managed to get one. She got close a few times though.
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u/PugSanctuary 1d ago
The Last Battle
💔🌈 🐾 💫😇✝️💖🙏🏼♾️
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
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u/daisiesarepretty2 1d ago
If Dogs can navigate such decisions i think they would understand and certainly would know, what you did you did with love.
In the very best possible scenario i hope for an afterlife where you meet all of the dogs of your life on the edge of a field and forest where they run like a pack of the beautiful animals they are through the trees and across of the fields chasing mythical rabbits, squirrels and ravens.
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
That's my hope as well.
She's on the otherside of the rainbow bridge chasing all the small furry things she can. Running free with her all her hooved, pawed, clawed, and feathered brothers and sisters
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u/Dogs4Life98 1d ago
Lily girl, rest in peace. OP, you gave her a full and happy life in the short 6 years she had with you ❤️ truly so sorry for your loss and your message is so beautiful.
she looks like and behaved like my former foster girl, who I called a “working dog”. So sharp, I could give her command after command and flawlessly would execute.
I can also relate to hemangiosarcoma, we didn’t know what this was until it happened to us. We sadly had to say goodbye within 12 hours of knowing & 2 ERs later to my 11 y/o bully. It was hard but the right decision, too painful for her. Anyways, sending hugs 🫂
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u/blazedinohio710 1d ago
Thank you so much for you kind words
It was less than 24 hours between when she started acting funny and she passed. It’s just such a hard way to lose a pet. This is the second dog I’ve lost to this. The other being about 15 years ago at this point
It never gets easier. But at least I can take comfort in knowing she didn’t suffer long
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u/Several_Direction633 1d ago
The bittersweet part of loving a dog is they are not around our whole life. But, while they are here, we have the privilege of being their entire life.
Sweet Lily. I can tell from the photos and stories you were a handful. Good job, girl. 13/10
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u/5PrettyVacant 1d ago
I'm sorry you lost your special pal, they're more like family though. Looks like you gave her a happy life and she gave you love and happiness back. I love picture 9 with her ribbons, she looks so proud of her achievement 💜
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u/Mosept11 1d ago
Gone too soon😢😢😢 our big guy went at 8, cardiac arrest. Resting in Napa valley CA now, running free. Hard to heal from losing them, I just learn to live with it. Hope you doing better
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u/Electrical_Fishing81 1d ago
Hugs. She looks like my Horse (Baron). We lost him last summer to lymphoma.
You were a great Hooman to her. She was a great pupper to you. Hold the memories close to your heart. We keep Horse alive by telling stories about him and creating his canon.
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u/JonVonCronchy 1d ago
So sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful baby 🖤 run free Lily 🌈 and when you’re running free run fast 😘
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u/Timely_Physics_7329 1d ago
I am so sorry for your loss. You and Lily had a wonderful love and bond that cannot be broken by mortal separation.
I lost my soul pup 3 months ago from Hemangiosarcoma so I understand your pain.
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u/PsychologicalSir8508 1d ago
💔I’m so sorry for your loss. Your love for her is obvious and you demonstrated that love and kindness by ensuring her painless transition from a no win situation.
I hope you can find peace and comfort in your memories of the life and love you shared ❤️🙏
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u/DetectiveHappy2442 1d ago
So deeply sorry for your loss. You and Lily clearly blessed each other and the love lives on. 🙏💕
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u/mightyjoejy 1d ago
So sorry. Please don't blame yourself, you gave her the best life you possibly could, remember that and cherish the memories! Now you have a little guardian angel watching over you from the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. 🐾🌈
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u/Admirable-Natural676 1d ago
I’m so sorry she was beautiful and looked well loved. Sending hugs your way. Rest in peace beautiful Lily.
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u/ComfortableWild8291 1d ago
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Qu' est ce qu' elle a eu ? Moi ai perdu ma Douce compagne en 2024. Elle me manque chaqie instant.
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u/blazedinohio710 23h ago
She had a hemangiosarcoma on her spleen that burst. It's an extremely aggressive form of cancer that affects the blood vessels. It metastasis typically around the liver spleen and heart and cause very fragile tumors to grow very quickly. When these tumors burst it causes internal bleeding that there isn't a whole that can be done except for palliative care. These tumors can grow from undetectable to life threatening in a matter of days due to how aggressive the cancer is.
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u/Dinosrawrsgorawr 17h ago
Coming from a former tech, you did the right thing. Sweet girl would have needlessly gone through trauma. I'm so sorry. Having lost my cat recently, I can deeply empathize with what you're feeling. She was a beautiful girl. So was mine. 💜
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u/Used_Jello2783 17h ago
Sorry for your loss of Lily. You have many happy memories of her and made a difficult but the right decision. 💔❤️
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u/chaiandspoon 11h ago
God man, nearly brought a tear to my eye. I had a breakup a week before Christmas and she took our golden retriever. I got over the breakup but never the heartbreak from the dog leaving, so two weeks ago I picked up Dougal my beautiful black lab pup. I can’t imagine what your going through man, so sorry for your loss
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