On Wednesday morning, December 17th Ahrens, one of my two Dalmatians, did not seem to feel well. As the day wore on changes in her actions were very evident and the color completely left her beautiful eyes. We knew she had some cataracts in one eye but this was different because both eyes took on a grey filmy color and by late afternoon she was completely blind. I don't remember her drinking any water that day and she reluctantly took a " K-9 kookie" when it was offered. As the day wore on she became more distressed and actually got lost in the house a couple of times. Only when you touched her 
was she aware of your presence and then the greeting was a very weak tail wag.
The other Dalmatian, "Christie" sensed a problem as well and stayed pretty clear of Ahrens all day. Early that evening my wife took her to the Vet and the feeling was she had one or more strokes and that was what had created the blindness. Both of the Dalmatians lost their hearing about a year ago and this blindness for Ahrens now just reduced her the quality of life tremendously. It was also not know when a fatal stroke may occur but we were assured the chances of anything getting better was non-existent. With that the decision was made to do the humane thing.
Today I carried her remains to the Holloway's Funeral home for cremation and I have to say the folks there are just wonderful. She was treated with the same respect as any member of the family would have been.
was she aware of your presence and then the greeting was a very weak tail wag.The other Dalmatian, "Christie" sensed a problem as well and stayed pretty clear of Ahrens all day. Early that evening my wife took her to the Vet and the feeling was she had one or more strokes and that was what had created the blindness. Both of the Dalmatians lost their hearing about a year ago and this blindness for Ahrens now just reduced her the quality of life tremendously. It was also not know when a fatal stroke may occur but we were assured the chances of anything getting better was non-existent. With that the decision was made to do the humane thing.
Today I carried her remains to the Holloway's Funeral home for cremation and I have to say the folks there are just wonderful. She was treated with the same respect as any member of the family would have been.
We have yet to decide what to do with the ashes because we need to talk to our son since she was as much his dog as anyone's. He's the one that picked her the day we got her and she shared a special bond with him.
Ahrens is 13 1/2 year old, which is about the average for a Dalmatian, and she has had a good life here with us.
R.I.P. my sweet Ahrens. We shall miss you.
R.I.P. my sweet Ahrens. We shall miss you.
6 comments:
My sympathies for your loss. Any loss of a four legged family member is hard.
I know your pain its hard to believe our frieinds with fur hurt like family when they pass. We lost our prized rottie a few years ago after spend 4,000 for cancer treatments. It rips ya up inside but time heals so they say. Have a blessed holiday...We buried ours in the back yard where we spent hours just sitting in the swing..just a sugestion
Thanks to everyone for the comment, e-mails and the e-cards. I brought Ahrens cremains home yesterday and we have decide to keep them until the time comes for the other Dalmatian. Then we scatter them in the yard where they grew and played together for so many years.
Thank you again for all your kind thoughts.
Sorry for your loss. Just a point of reference to others who might want their beloved deceased pets cremated- the MD Department of Agriculture, on Nanicoke Rd, will do this for you at a very reasonable fee, pretty much at their cost. I have taken several pets there. Several local funeral homes do a nice job too, but the cost is prohibitive for many of us.
I am sorry for you loss. We have been through this twice and have one kid left who is old. It is so hard to let them go and they leave such an emptiness in the home. God bless.
Joe,
Im very sorry to hear about your loss. I know you and your wife loved your pets very very much. You gave Ahrens a great life and Im sure he added many good times in yours.
Take care.
Your friend,
Wayne Barrall
Post a Comment