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[gunner]

Gunner beat Blasto.  Her last tests are negative.   She beat Blasto, but not before it destroyed her kidneys.  It has been 4 months since the vet offered to put her down because he thought she would die in the next few days.  That was 4 months of love and play and rides and cat chases ago, but today is a different story.

The last two weeks Gunner has been going down hill.  The last few days she has gone down really quickly.  I don't imagine she will last the week, but she is such a strong dog who knows.  It is so very, very hard to watch my little girl waste away.  She won't eat any more.  Not even her best favorite treat interests her.  She will only drink if really encouraged and then only sometimes.  She gets weaker every day and my heart is crumbling. 

Other than one morning, she doesn't seem to be in much pain if any.  As long as she is not suffering, we will hold on and care for her as best we can.  I want to thank everyone who prayed for her as I know it was your prayers and thoughts that gave her the energy to live far longer and happier than ever was hoped for.  I can no longer hope that she will pull through, but if you are the praying kind, if you could please say a prayer for a painless passing I would be ever so grateful to you all yet again.
Joyce

[llinton]

Gunner is definately in my prayers Joyce. Be strong and remember how strong you both are together. Gunner will pull through.......Take care.

[paintubturner]

I will be praying for you and Gunner.  Be strong for Gunner.   

[WallysMom]

Gunner is so lucky to have someone like you in her life.  The love you have for her goes a long way.
Both of you our in my prayers.

[Lisa]

I'm so sorry to hear Gunner isn't doing well.   

There are a couple of things I have mentioned before to friends who don't think they'll have their beloved dog at their side for much longer -> during each of my dog's last days, I took a clay imprint of one of their front paws, and I took a clip of their hair.  I can't look at either of them very often, because after 3 years now the pain is still too much, but knowing I have them to remember them helps. Both feel like a tangible piece of them that I get to keep.

We'll all be thinking of you both.

[sequinnw]

I'm so sorry to hear about Gunner.  We lost our beloved Molly to kidney failure in 2005, and I know how painful it is to see them decline.  The grief is unbelievable.  There is not a day that goes by that she is not mentioned and thought of.  We still speak her name daily in some context or another.

[evayola]

Joyce,

You have been so strong through all of this and for that I completely admire you. You have given Gunner the best life that she would have ever had! You are such a great mom to her and I am sure she knows and feels everything you have done for her. I am always thinking of you both because I feel like Gunner is Marge's mini twin. You know like Arnold Schwarzenneger and Danny Devito.  I know how much Gunner means to you because it is that love that brings us all together here and keeps us survivors coming back. I will be praying and praying for Gunner. You have been given the gift of Gunners extra days of cat chasing and car rides. I am sure you will cherish those forever. The loss of a pet is heart wrenching and even though Gunner is not mine I cant help but cry for her and you. Gunner will always have a super special place in my heart even though I havent met her. You will be in my prayers...

Eva & Marge

[Harleys Mom]

So sorry to hear Gunner's not so good.
 You'll both be in our prayers along with a lot of others.

[Wilson3]

joyce i am soooo sorry for you both  i do not know what to say
gunner is the luckiest girl in the whole world!!!! she had you!!!!
she will always be a pat of us all....
kristin

[luvmyjacks]

Oh  Joyce I am so sorry to hear this sadness.  You know we are all praying for a gentle passing.  You did so much and tried so hard and yes you did win the battle but sadly are indeed losing the war.  If you take solace in anything you can close your eyes and imagine Gunner up there being greeted by so many of her website pals who went before.  Roxy will be there to welcome her and show her the ropes and probably be a little bossy as Jr's are want to do....... a small thought to keep you warm in the tough times ahead.  Thinking of you.  Lee

[mhitesman]

I hoped this day was much further off for you and Gunner.  I am so sad to read this.  You probably feel pretty weak right now, but your words show you are strong and will get through this to continue to do what is best for your beloved Gunner.  I like Lisa's ideas about the pawprint and the hair clipping although I can't see the letters on my keyboard , for tears, as I type this.  Blasto changed my relationship with my dogs.  I have so much more patience with them, and I take a lot more time to love on them.  I remember praying and hoping for more time.  Comet got more than 4 months, so far, but more time is all any of us gets -- if we get that.  You and Gunner are so lucky to have each other.  Oh Joyce, my heart just breaks for the two of you.

[gunner]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. 

I really thought hard about writing that post, but there are so few people who can understand where we have been with this disease.  All the participants on this board have a special connection with their fur babies and get it.  I just needed to reach out to people who understand.  Thank you so much for being there!

Lisa, that was a great idea you offered.  I am going to turn that idea just a bit though.  I am just about to go to the hardware store and get some mortar to make a little garden stone with Gunner's foot prints in it. 

She continues to decline.  She smells bad, her teeth have turned brown and she had to stop and rest in the middle of the 35 steps it takes to get from the house to the office.  She isn't in pain and for that I am so grateful.  She hasn't eaten or drank enough this week to keep a humming bird alive but still she goes.  She sleeps a lot but still sighs deep and contented when she is loved on.  I miss her so much already. 

Thank you all so very much,
Joyce

[mhitesman]

You and Gunner were the last thing I thought about last night, and you were the first thing I thought about this morning.  My sincere hope is that the two of you get through whatever this next step brings without awful pain and suffering, but I know I am crying like a broken water faucet so I can only imagine how this is tearing you up.  Love on her for me too.

[GSP_Mom]

You both are in my prayers.  My empathy is with you....

[Jen]

You know I'm thinking of you guys.
jen