‘Twas the night before Christmas. Michael was in Ohio. Wednesday, called the vet, not worried, ’cause Henry had diarrhea. Brought in fecal sample. Tests were fine.
Thursday morning, -15 degrees, little Henry was outside in the snow – no booties to protect his little paws – not able to pee. Brought him in, shoveled the lawn, put booties on him and went back out. No luck. Called vet, brought him in Wednesday afternoon. UTI as expected. Check kidneys, nothing wrong. But just to be thorough, check for stones.
Doc found a mass on his bladder when she was looking for stones. Still not worried. Made an appointment with radiologist for Friday morning. Just want to do this as soon as possible in case we are catching something early.
Friday morning ultrasound. Doc finds mass on his bladder and prostate. Sends me home with painkillers and anti-inflamatories. Doesn’t appear to be blocking his ability to pee. We will discuss possible treatment next week.
By Friday evening, Henry was in a bad way. He couldn’t pee, he was throwing up and trying to poop. I was letting him stay in cause of the cold. It was terrible to watch. I called the vet. She has nothing.
I was in a such a state watching him and not being able to do anything, I headed over to my neighbor’s xmas party committed to drinking heavily. When I arrived, she offered me seltzer, knowing I don’t drink, and not knowing I had started again. I was embarrassed to ask for wine and accepted the seltzer. THANK GOD.
Went home to check on Henry and called the ER. Just needed his bladder drained, something to put him out of his misery. Little did I know what that option was.
Michael not home until Sunday. No good options to keep Henry going till Michael got home. I called him, he agreed that we should put him out of his misery.
So that’s how this ended. Too fast. Too unexpected. Too premature.
This gentle, brave, whimsical soul’s life ended too early at 12 years old.
My heart hurts.
❤️
He was a special dog and I miss him on every walk still 😥