The Toughest Dolly Day: Dolly Passes on Oct. 22

Yesterday, Oct. 22, 2020 was another tough day in our family. We had to help our Weimaraner, Dolly, cross over and out of pain and it all came on overnight. I'm devastated, empty and heartbroken. Dolly and I were very in sync- we always knew what the other were thinking. I have such a deep emptiness (especially after Franklin passed 5 months ago). 

I adopted Dolly as a 3 month old Puppy from Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue in March 2005 (and my friend Jeff drove to Tennessee with me to get her). Now, when she passed, she was 15 years and 10 months old (exceeding the lifespan of most Weimaraners). Like Franklin, our red, smooth Dachshund who passed in May, a disc slipped in her lower spine on Oct. 21, suddenly rendering her back legs useless. On Oct. 22  and I, Tom, Tyler and Dash spent the morning with Dolly (who couldn't get out of her bed) on the sunporch (see pictures). We had a vet come to the house in the early afternoon to help her pass out of pain and misery. 

OCTOBER 20-21 IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT - On Oct. 20th, Dolly went to bed as usual in the kitchen on her orthopedic bed while Tyler (the black and tan Dachshund) and I lay next to her on blankets until she fell asleep. 

  Dolly had not been able to fall asleep alone since Franklin passed in May (Franklin slept next to Dolly in the kitchen the last couple of months of his life, because he moaned in pain.

  On the morning of Wed., Oct. 21, when Dolly awoke, she suddenly couldn't get up from her bed! I thought WTH?!?!  I had to lift her (she's 68 lbs.) and carry her outside to clean her off and remove her soiled diaper (she almost always did #1 and 2 in the diaper overnight but it didn't always catch everything). There's always clean up involved for her and the floor, and the cloth diaper that held the disposable on her, and I could tell she always felt badly about it. 

   That morning outside, though, Dolly just stood (shakily) staring at the backyard light as I washed her backside, and then her back legs buckled again. I got her to rest in the grass (it was 5:30 a.m. and dark outside) while I went inside and quickly grabbed the second clean cloth diaper, and put a (human-grade) incontinence liner in it. I quickly stripped the bed that was messed, and replaced the cover and blanket and put her on it. (then I handwashed all the soiled stuff), 

   Later in the morning, she couldn't get up again, so I carried her outside. At least she was able to do #1. Not so by the afternoon. It was apparent the disc was slipping more and quickly, because by 3 p.m. she couldn't even move from her bed. . 

WEDNESDAY RIDE, OCT 21 -Wednesday night is comic book and Dunkin' Donuts dinner night in our house. The dogs always love to accompany us on the drive to Annapolis. So, we lifted Dolly, Tyler and Dash into the pickup's back seat/bench covered with a comforter. Dolly was content and didn't move the entire time. Once home, her legs wouldn't support her at all and she couldn't even pee. The disc was apparently affecting her entire backside.. I carried her outside again at 10pm to try and do something but she couldn't. Tom and I were even both holding her up. 

   I quickly realized that it was a disc and felt a bulge on her spine behind her tail. It was exactly what happened to Franklin, but he was in pain. Fortunately, Dolly was on pain meds and they were adequate. I also knew that at almost 16 years old, and with air pockets in her lungs she couldn't be operated on. She was frustrated, miserable, and worn out. I knew we had to make the dreaded decision. 

PEACEFUL PASSINGS - Our friend Shelley, who is also a dog rescuer, messaged me that evening about Dolly's status. I told her Tom and I talked about it, and knew it was time. Dolly couldn't get up or move around. Shelley told me about a Baltimore/Annapolis service called "Peaceful passings" where a veterinarian comes to your house to help your dog cross over. (Peaceful Passage

Gentle and Compassionate Home Euthanasia, (443) 956-2113, PeacefulPassage.net)

Most vets won't do that, so this service contracts with local doctors to allow for it. I placed the call at 8pm (of course they were closed),but they called me back at 7 am on Thursday the 22nd. I arranged everything for the afternoon, so Tyler, Dash, Tom and I could spend time with Dolly (even though she slept 95% of the time).

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SLEEPING IN THE KITCHEN WITH DOLLY - Every night since Franklin passed, Tyler would lay in the kitchen next to Dolly while I went upstairs to take a shower. When I returned to the Kitchen, I always rolled out a blanket and pillow for me, right next to Dolly's bed. Then Tyler would walk back to his other bed in the bedroom and go to sleep, while I stayed with Dolly until she fell asleep. Tyler always ensured Dolly was never alone. But Wednesday night, Tyler and I stayed together next to Dolly the entire night. Dolly awoke about once an hour, and at one point I had to move her to her right side (she starts out laying on her left) because of the arthritic pain in her hips. 

THURSDAY, OCT 22 

EARLY MORNING VISITOR - At around 3 am, Dolly lifted her head high and stared at the door to the Laundry room and den. She wouldn't move despite my attempts to get her to lay back down. Finally, I turned and looked at the door. I was surprised. There were the spirits of my mom and dad, our friend Ed, Franklin, Buzz and Sprite all standing there waiting for Dolly to cross over. I knew it was the right thing to do. 

THURSDAY, OCT 22, THE LAST DAY - When we got up at 5:30 a.m. and she had messed in her diaper (and of course, on herself). We carried her outside and she wasn't physically able do anything anymore. The bladder muscles were not working.  I cleaned her off outside, carried her back in and we put on a clean cloth diaper and large incontinence pad. She was miserable. She couldn't move her back legs or her butt.  She was moaning (which she did only once before in her life after a surgery) and wouldn't eat - except finally one lone chicken treat and some water. Her paws even felt cold. She stared into space and didn't acknowledge me much. 

I had the day off (Tom was teleworking) so we all stayed in the sunporch with her all morning. For the most part (thanks to a pain pill I gave her at 5:30 a.m.) she was resting comfortably. She was very patient (always has been). The vet came in the early afternoon to help Dolly crossover on a blanket in the backyard, surrounded by me, Tom, Tyler and Dash. Dolly was wrapped in a blanket, and we put her on a pet stretcher, that Tom, I and the vet carried to his car where we said our final goodbye. Now we wait 10-14 days for her ashes and pawprint to come back to us.  

(Photo right is from 6-24-20 and that's the way I'll remember her)

FINAL THOUGHTS - I can only take comfort in knowing her decline was in 1 day. 12 days before on Oct. 10th, she found the strength to walk around the entire block. 9 days before on Oct. 13, Dolly did agility in the living room after dinner with the two boys for about 20 minutes and sometimes she led the way again, despite having only about 20% of her vision! 2 days before the 22nd, on Oct. 20, she walked around the backyard doing "Stop" and "Come" for treats. Dolly has shown her drive: "Life is what you make it, and I believe in not sitting around feeling sorry for myself just because I have bad arthritis and my vision is next to nothing. I hope I'm an inspiration to everyone, people and doggies, to try and do anything!"

Doggy Pic Day: Dolly, Franklin and Tyler!

Dolly

Every now and then we like to take

Lined up at attention! 

Tyler peeking out from a blanket

pics of our kids, just like everyone else does,. So, here are a couple of pictures of Dolly, Franklin and Tyler from this week. 
Dolly the Weimaraner is 9 years old (10 in November), Franklin the red, smooth short-haired dachshund is 10 1/2 years old, and Tyler the terror, the black-and-tan, smooth dachshund is 4 (5 in November). 

Tyler

Franklin

Dolly's Surgery - 2 Days Later

Dolly can't wait for the muzzle growth to come off

Our 9 year old Weimaraner, Dolly Loretta had some minor surgery on her nose this past Tuesday to remove a growth. She's doing well now.
   As dogs get older, some develop bumps and fatty deposits - just like people. A small bump developed on Dolly's muzzle last year and she's been scratching it with her paw (despite the ointment I've put on it).
   So, she tore it open and it bled, dried out and just stayed there like a skin tag in her line of sight. It bothered her so we had it surgically removed at the Family Vet Clinic.

Franklin checks out Dolly's surgery area

  The vet, Dr. Varner, did a great job (as usual). Dolly recovers pretty quickly and by 2:30 p.m. on the day of surgery she was "pacing and ready to come home" so I took a late lunch and brought her home.
   She did get a side-effect of the local anesthesia, though - diarrhea. So, she's also on Imodium (yes, you can give a dog imodium after every movement- little dogs get 1/2, bigger dogs get an adult dose).  
   She's so good about not touching things she shouldn't and hasn't once bothered the spot, so she never needs an E-collar.

Dolly after surgery

  By Wednesday evening she no longer needed the pain medication and acted like her normal self, had a good appetite and energy returned. Now, hopefully the tummy trouble will subside. At least she's a lot happier without that nasty skin tag in her line of sight.
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Happy 6th Birthday, Dolly!

Dolly looking at a squirrel.

 Today, our Weimaraner Dolly turns 6 years old. She was adopted from the Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue of Knoxville, TN back in March, 2005. She's an affectionate, loving, obedient girl, who loves her brother Franklin the Dachshund (who turned 6 in March of this year). Dolly and Franklin go everywhere together and can't be apart.They sleep together, play together, eat together, clean each other's ears and eyes, and obviously love each other very much. Dolly loves playing rope toss in the backyard, enjoys chomping on her nylabone Dinosaurs, and loves treats!  She likes to stand up on the side of our bed in the mornings and give us kisses to get us out of bed!
  Here are some of our favorite photos of Dolly from this year (and her
birthday party photo from a couple of years ago with Franklin).

As a Coffee cup this Halloween, 

and Franklin a donut.

Giving Jane a kiss, with Steve and Franklin 

at Ft. McHenry

Dolly Loves chewing sticks!

Playing with one of her fav. toys!

Geared up with Franklin for the Rain!

Franklin, Dolly and friend Emma walking

Waiting for dinner time!

Dolly and Franklin ready for Birthday treats (2007)

Dolly having a very tough day...

Franklin and Dolly running! 

Family Photo at Baltimore's Ft. McHenry!

My Favorite Dolly Parton Song/Video: Better Get to Livin'

Dolly Parton is one of those people full of inspiration, hope, friendliness, love and optimism. I found my all-time favorite Dolly song video, "Better Get to Livin'" and wanted to share it with you. She wrote it about her own outlook on life, and it's full of great advice. Enjoy it!

Dolly Parton   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

New Dolly Parton Video: Backwoods Barbie

Dolly is not only my favorite singer, but she was an inspiration to me in how to live my life: be happy, optimistic, friendly to all, outgoing, have faith, and laugh at yourself. Here's her latest video: Backwoods Barbie:

Dolly Parton   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

2 Electricians and Recovery Day #4:Sunday

We're staying close to home this weekend, because Dolly is in a lot of pain from her surgery. SO, on Saturday we had two electricians here to work on several projects. The light switch on our stairway doesn't work right on both floors; we had two spotlights wired up in the backyard (to see the dogs at night); an attic light installed; wiring to the new backyard fountain we bought (at 50% off last weekend!)and a light and ceiling fan in the new patio we built (but still haven't enclosed). The job is continuing on Sunday, too. Meanwhile, there's no rest for us. I made a run to the dump and bought 12 mum plants and 5 bags of hardwood mulch. After we moved our new fountain, Tom planted the mums and mulched another new bed of plants he planted last weekend. (see photo) Because we've put so much effort into the backyard, I made a little VIDEO TOUR of some of the backyard, so you could see it!

DOLLY UPDATE DAY #4: When Dolly relieves herself she cringes, because of the pain. It's supposed to subside after a week. I can't wait. Further, she's learned to work her way out of the Elizabethan (plastic) collar, and can actually bend past the inflatable dog collar. Fortunately, she's really good about not going to her stitches. She's on Codeine and Rimadyl (I think people take both, although I've never had Rimadyl). Saturday night into Sunday, I slept on the floor with her again, and she was a lot more comfortable, only getting up 4-5 times and moving. I've been walking her and Franklin short distances around the neighborhood, and the small amount of exercise seems to relieve the pain she gets when she pees. So, that's a good thing. Tonight I plan on sleeping in our bed for a change!

Dolly Post Surgery Day 2

It's Day 2 after Dolly's "stricture" surgery. Despite the fact that she has stitches inside and outside of her private area, she's doing very well. She's on TWO pain medications including Codeine, and an antibiotic. She's alert and happy to be home.
Last night, I slept on the floor next to her (thanks to Craig B for calling and suggesting I should do that and the ice pack)and she woke up several times trying to get comfortable. She didn't need the collar though, to keep her from licking the wound. She doesn't even touch the stitches. She's supposed to wear a collar for 2 weeks to keep her from licking the stitches, but the inflatable one I bought doesn't work as she can still reach back there. However, the horrible elizabethian one does work. But she's really not bothering it at all! In fact, I've left the collars off while we're in the house - and she's leaving the stitches alone. She's such a good girl. The only one I worry about is Franklin if he tries to lick Dolly's wound to heal it... so we'll have to separate them when/if we go out for a short time.