Monday, June 16, 2008

Bittersweet

Well, we tried, unsuccessfully to keep the dogs apart when Tabyana went into heat. We did not want another batch of puppies so soon. We just got rid of the last twerps 6 months ago. They were cute and they were fun, but 8 of them was a bit much after they started running all over hell and back. Plus, this was only Tabyana's third heat so we wanted to wait at least until her next one. Poor girl. But, she is an escape artist and apparantly a hussy because she did this to herself. You see, she can unlock and open the sliding glass door. She just comes and goes as she pleases. We did not teach her to do this. She took on this talent all on her own. Anyhoo, when she went into heat, we would keep one dog in the back yard and the other in the house. We would trade them now and again for potty breaks and fresh air. Well, Don had Tabyana in the house and had put a board in the slider so the door wouldn't open. He turned his back for 5 minutes and Tabyana took full advantage of her escape abilities. Don came back downstairs to find that she had pulled the board out of the door and had gone outside. Needless to say, nature took it's course and Bandit and Tabyana were "stuck" together. And wala.......puppies are brewing as we speak.



Photobucket



She sure is getting fat. I wonder how many she will have this time. Damn hussie!



Why is this bittersweet? This will be our last batch of the little twerps. Not because we don't want anymore. Not because we are going to get her fixed. Not because we are going to get Bandit fixed. Nope, none of those reasons.



Photobucket



This is bittersweet because Bandit has Cancer. Lymphoma to be exact. His lymph nodes in his neck and groin are all swollen. Which means that it is throughout his body. He is probably in the advanced stages. The vet said that we could do radiation, but that would just prolong the inevitable and cost thousands. We can put him on steroids to ease some of his pain and help him eat better. He has dropped down to 79 pounds. He was up around 100 pounds. He limps around and doesn't have the energy that he used to. And his hair is starting to fall out. The girls are heartsick. We are heartsick. Flyboy thinks he only has a couple months left in him. If that. He is only 7 years old. Sugar Booger and Punky Poo don't remember life without him. Neither does Tabyana. It's very hard watching him go downhill.

3 comments:

Jenn said...

It's so heartbreaking to lose a pet - especially when you treat them as part of your family. I was heartbroken when my parents' last dog died - I grew up with that dog and I was devastated. Look up the Rainbow Bridge poem and show it to your girls when it's Bandit's time. It's very sweet.

CreativeMish said...

I read this with tears in my eyes. They're just like having an extra kid. My heart breaks for you.

Sandee said...

Having just lost a "child" not so long ago, my heart and eyes cry for you. Tell the girls I am thinking of them.... and there's always room for another kitten :)