The Long Goodbye

The follow talks about the semi-suddenness of our goodbye to Phod and if you wish to skip it, I understand. I have promised to be truthful about our lives so this is our truth.

In reality, our goodbye to Zaphod started in the spring of 2023. This is when the arthritis became apparent and he started to have trouble getting up and down. It was at this time, we started Librela. I know Librela is very controversial but after speaking to 2 vets, and seeing how it worked for Phody,  I can truly say it gave us time with him. When we started the tech said the research showed we would get 1 year with him. Aren't we lucky, we got more.

Over the next 2 years, we saw a very slow decline. He stopped playing fetch. He stopped going down our stairs. He spent more time in the closet sleeping. He still loved a short walk and could be very playful. Given the chance he would sneak over to the neighbours in a heartbeat. His life was best described as slow. He was still happy and as comfortable as anyone in their golden years could be! 

Zaphod died on a Monday. That night, around 4, he cried out in pain for the first time. The Man got up and rubbed his leg. We thought it was just that he had slept funny. He was starting to be more stiff when he first got up.

The morning he was restless. This was not entirely uncommon. He could be like this. 

Separately, without discussing it, both the Man and I realized we were in the last few days/hours. I can't say how we knew this, but we did. I had the same thing with Lee. The day before, no clear reason why, when we were walking, my heart said, this is our last walk. In both cases I told myself not to be silly.

Thank you for Meezer's Mews and Terriieristical Woofs for creating this

I left for work around 11:30. At 1:26 the Man called me to say I had to come home, it was time to say goodbye to Zaphod. He had 2 medical events. The Man is not a vet and is unsure if it was a seizure or  cardiac events. They were close together and terrible. These made it almost impossible for him to walk and he didn't always seem to know where he was.

I got in my car, called the vet, made the arrangements and realized I couldn't be home in time. I met the Man and Phod at the clinic. 

About 2 hours after his medical events, he went peacefully, refusing the chocolate kiss they offered him. 

Zaphod lived about 14 years, which for a Shepherd mix is amazing, especially given the clearly rough start he had. In the end, even the best dog couldn't beat death. 

So when people have asked me if Phod's death was expected, my answer is yes and no. We have been waiting for his backend to go for 2 years. We just didn't know that it would be April 28. 

For those who read to the end, thank you. Thank you for all your kind words and love. It has been a very hard time and we are ok.