RIP Sandy 1999-2009

So, a lot has happened between September and December. In late September, Sandy was diagnosed with a rapid moving cancer of the adrenal gland. Our vet gave him about 1-2months to live. Obviously this was devastating news to our family and we decided to dedicate the rest of Sandy's time to giving him the best food and love we could. He grew happy and fat, but it was very clear that poor Sandy was getting to be in more and more pain. On November 4th, we took him to see our vet because he was becoming more and more restless and unable to eat. The doctor ended up giving him a potent shot of morphine and sent us home with some more medication. Scott and I discussed Sandy's health and the decision was made to have him put to sleep the very next day. Scott took off November 5th and we spent the last day with our beloved dog. At 6pm we took him into the vet for the last time and said goodbye. It was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever had to do and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. The following poem is dedicated to his memory:

RAINBOW BRIDGE:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

My dog the Comedian

Ok, so have you ever seen the video where two cows are bonking each other and ones falls over onto it's back? You know this one? Well, I would like you to imagine Sandy doing this, except he was trying to get into our minivan.

Both Scott and I had a really shitty day and had decided to go out for ice cream. We figured let's bring Sandy along, he can get a treat too. Ok, super duper, off we go. Everyone happily eats their ice cream, dog has his kiddie size vanilla soft serve. He's zipping around the tables with his snake tongue and finishes up in world record time. Time to go. Let's put Nate in his car seat, ok all set.

Ok, Sandy it's your turn. Paws up, jump in, come on. Uh-oh. Balance lost. Abort! Abort!! Too late. My dog does this and rolls UNDER the minivan. Cue raucous laughter, so much so we are crying with laughter and people are looking at us like we're nuts. We're still giggling all the way home 10 minutes later. Frigging dog ;)

Dog in a stroller...

Last year my friend Cari, our two boys and Sandy went for a walk around the neighborhood. Now the boys were of the age where they weren't quite up to walking the whole 2 and a quarter miles up and down hills. So I figured, well the dog needs some exercise, so let's take him. Big mistake.

We started off at a good pace, Sandy merrily trotting along, peeing and pooping on every available inanimate object. La, la, la everything is all good. At the top of the first hill is when I suspect that we may have a problem. Sandy lays down, white foam coming out his mouth, panting like an emphysema patient. "Get up Sandy, let's go" Dog gets up, walks precisely 5 feet and lays all the way down on the tarmac. Well, crap now we have a problem. Not moving at all. Let's take a break for 5 minutes. Ok, yay now the dog is ready to walk again.

Fast forward to the last quarter mile. Uh-oh, Sandy is on the pavement again, looking like he's just run the Boston Marathon on speed or something. At this point I'm dragging him up the hill swearing and trying to push the jog stroller. He finally gives up 500 ft later in front of a group of townhouses. I seriously want to disown him at this point, he's not budging, not now, not ever.

So Cari and I scratch our heads and are trying to think of a way to get him home. Finally, ding, ding, ding!! Cari gets her son out of the jogging stroller and we deposit our crippled dog into the stroller. We pushed him home like this. When we got home, my husband rushed out with the camera to capture the moment. So there you have it, the story of how Sandy ended up in a stroller.

All about Sandy

Sandy is a 10 year old, blonde, fuzzy cocker spaniel. He is a boy despite the name (he won't answer to anything else, believe me we tried when we rescued him.) He's also mostly deaf, blind and missing a whole bunch of teeth. At last count, there's probably six missing which makes his smile quite amusing. Actually, if you picture Rolf the dog from the Muppets, that's a pretty accurate picture. Also, he's not your average, cute, small cocker spaniel either. At last weight check he weighed 43 pounds. Now, this is an achievement considering he topped out at almost 60 pounds at the beginning of the year. We managed to get the weight off using a prescription weight loss drug from the vet (yes, my dog took the equivalent of Hydroxycut).

Anyway, now you know a little bit about my wonder spaniel, I'll be filling you in on his misadventures in family life. Stay tuned for amusing anecdotes.

~C~