Kota

The day we found out that Syd died, Kota got into some chocolate and gave us a good scare. He ate a lot of it and was throwing up a lot and drinking a bunch of water. I thought that was good because he was getting it out of his system. A couple hours later though, he started stumbling and couldn't walk and started screaming in pain. We rushed him to the after hours vet and they had to do an IV plus charcoal to induce vomiting and give him an antidote every 3 hours. His breathing was slow and his heart rate was very rapid and it took a few hours for it to go down. They were worried about possible seizures which thankfully never happened. We got him there in time for the right treatment. They had to keep him overnight and I called and checked on him a couple times through the night. I was able to pick him up the following morning. He was still pretty lethargic through the day, but otherwise he is fine. He has to have some meds for the next week. I was so upset over it all because it was my fault. I left the chocolate out. He climbed on the couch and onto the table where it was. I’m just so thankful he pulled through. I don’t know what I would have done if not.

Syd - Our Big Bubba

It was a week ago, my world was forever changed. It was Monday December 10th. I got up, fed the dogs, and then headed off to work. I had no idea that would be the last morning I had with Syd. It's crazy how fast life can change.

When my mom got home that day she let Syd and Kota outside. Syd ran upstairs and was full of energy like normal. A few minutes later, I got home and went to let them in to feed them. Syd had pooped on the deck and was out on the lawn laying in the snow, which was not like him. I immediately knew something was wrong. My mom and I went out there and was able to get him up and in the house. He was very unstable. We were helping him down the stairs when I decided I should take him to the vet. While trying to turn him around to get him back up the stairs he collapsed. I kept telling my Mom I thought he was having a stroke.

I was able to get his harness on him so my Dad could pull him up while my mom and I picked up his back end. We got him onto the floor and proceeded to scoot a blanket under him so we could carry him to the car. When we went to pick him up in the blanket he stood up, so he was able to walk out to the car, but he was not very stable. At the vet he just laid there. I was so worried about him.

The Dr. did blood work and x-rays, and  compared them with previous x-rays.  He determined that he had a bulging disk in his spine and that’s what was causing the partial paralysis in his back legs. His plan was to give him some steroids and anti-inflammation drugs and that would help bring the swelling down and he would eventually re-gain mobility. We asked if it was time to put him down, but he wanted to give him a couple days to see if that would work. We were taking him out to the car to take him home, but he collapsed in the lobby. At that point the Dr. thought maybe he had a blood clot or something. He decided to leave him there overnight and he would re-evaluate him in the morning. He died sometime during the night. I was devastated.

The Dr. doesn't know exactly how he died without doing an autopsy which they don’t do, so we don’t really know exactly what happened. I have mixed emotions about it. On one hand I’m sad he died all alone and not at home with us. On the other, I can’t imagine waking up and finding him gone and having to get him out of the house afterwards. That would have been really hard for me to do. He was old, and he lived a good life, and I think it was just his time. It happened quickly and he didn't suffer so that’s good.

I'm so thankful for the time I had with Syd. He was such a good dog, and I miss him so much. He is with Maggie now in heaven. I can't wait until I can see him again.

This is the last picture taken of Syd, the night before he passed away.

Lee saying Goodbye the following morning

Kindra saying goodbye the following morning.