Farewell our friend

rescued Spring 2014 by Lucky Labs Rescue

adopted June 21, 2014

farewell April 27, 2015

"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really."

Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Whether it is 10 months or 14 years, saying farewell is never easy.  This morning, we shed our "happy-sad" tears in a bittersweet goodbye to Oakley.  Dobson left four big paw-prints to fill for our second dog.  And what we could have never known, is how perfect Oakley filled those paw-prints in his own special way.  

welcome home Oakley!

Oakley steadily declined after his surgery, and last week's pathology results confirmed lymphoma in both his spleen and liver. Over the past several days, even those tried-and- true goodies such as peanut butter, cheese, chicken, ham, salami, hot dogs and pot roast were not enough to wet his appetite.  The boys were aware of his changing habits and his body language told us he was tired of fighting.  While never easy, we know the most loving decision we could make, was the decision to saw farewell.  

Oakley was a "good 'ole soul" whose presence brought a unique calmness to our family and home.  He simply loved people and loved affection.  And that, we offered.  What will we remember the most about Oakley?  Lots...

• Driving to Charlotte to pick him up (a surprise for the boys)
• Learning the secret of the frozen peanut butter-filled Kong to help time in the crate not be so bad.  (Although, we eventually said farewell to crating and offered him free roam of the house.)
• His quilt.  Where ever it was, he was.
• His pawing to request you love on him
• His morning whining (I think he eventually learned to count, because he learned to wait until after the 3rd snooze on the morning alarm clock.)
• His occasionally morning reflux
• His preference to sleep on his back
• His letting T & W lay all over him
• Hanging out in the "side yard" while the boys played
• Excursions in the Arboretum and Bent Creek
• Cooling down in the creeks and streams
• Running through the woods with his four-legged buddy Dexter
• His lying under the dining room table while we ate dinner
• His post-surgery onesie
• His hair (It appeared everywhere.)
• His freckled nose and blonde eyelashes
• His super-soft coat
• His loyalty and resilience

We have reminded ourselves we can never predict when cancer will rear its ugly head, and that although his time with us was short, by being rescued and adopted, Oakley was afforded a life he might not otherwise have had. 

Oakley, while we often wondered what your pre-resuce/adoption life was like, we know that in 10 short months, you brought your one-of-a-kind joy to our home and developed a special bond with our boys.  You loved them and let them love you.  And you never once waivered.  In these final weeks, your devotion, steadfastness and stoicism shone through; you were a fighter until the last breath.  Today my friend, you have to fight no longer.  And, you never need fear thunderstorms, static electricity or fireworks again.  As William so simply stated last week prior to your surgery, "it is OK if Oakley dies because he'll be in Heaven with Dobson and God.  And that's a great place to be."  We will miss you.

She's Back!

Underway: Biking Season

The 2015 biking season is officially underway!  The boys participated in CYMBL's first race of the year yesterday afternoon at Brevard Music Center.  Thompson had to complete 6 laps of a cross-country course in the 9/10 division; the Under 6 division in which William rode had only 1 lap to complete.  The rain and wet course didn't put a damper on their riding and fun:  Thompson finished 3rd (out of 20) and William took 1st!

Oakley

Two weeks ago Oakley stopped eating.  After a visit to the vet, we had a plan of action and began a regimen to reduce a high fever and get him eating again.  He seemed to round the bend; however, he gradually began to resist food and became quite lethargic.  After a day and a half of not eating, we went back to the vet Thursday afternoon.  An ultrasound confirmed an enlarged spleen, and the beginning of conversations about possible options.  Once the bloodwork came back Friday morning, which was worse then the week before, we were faced with the decision to proceed with emergency surgery to remove the spleen or put him down before his body failed him.

We decided to proceed with surgery.  His spleen was clearly agitated and had grown to 2-3 times its normal size.  They have sent it along with a sample of his liver to pathology, and we should have those results by mid-week.

As for now, Oakley is home recuperating...and we are glad to have him home!  He is on bed/crate rest for approximately 10 days and sporting a stylish doggies onesie (in lieu of e-collar to prevent licking his incision).  Our very-own dog pharmacy has been established in the kitchen as we work to manage his pain and prevent infection.

National Sibling Day

Today, I am thankful for my beloved sister Graham.  (Thanks mom and dad!)  She is treasured beyond words and an amazing woman I am honored to call my sibling.  I am proud of her and believe the passage of time has only proven to strengthen our relationship and inspire us to live our very best lives.  Thank you for each and every laugh, tear and memory.  I look forward to those that are yet to come.  In reflecting on this relationship, I can't help but also give thanks that T & W have one another.

Happy Easter!

We celebrated Easter Sunday in Cashiers with Annie & Poppy and Mamere & Papere.  Following the service at The Church of the Good Shepherd, we enjoyed a delightful (yet chilly) brunch and egg hunt at the Chattooga Club.

Go Spartans!

Poppy let the boys don his prized Michigan State jacket and pullover as we cheer on the Spartans for a win over Duke to earn a spot in this year's NCAA championship basketball game.