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Barbara Duke posted an update 2 years, 6 months ago
I come tonight with a heavy heart. January 4, 2024, I had to say goodbye to my senior girl, 16 years old Apache Princess. I adopted her when my last original senior dog, Rose passed June 14, 2018. I adopted Apache Princess, June 16, 2018, she was 11 years old, I had no doubt she was the one and no regrets of adopting her two days after Rose passed. Single, living alone and no close family, I knew I needed a family. My dogs had been my only family since my parents passed in 1996 and 2003. And Apache Princess was a special girl. Five months after her adoption, she was diagnosed with a non-spreading cancer sarcoma on her right side and a smaller one on her right rear paw. She had surgery May 25, 2019. They got clean margins on the side but had to leave a trace of cells on the paw to avoid reconstructive surgery. For five years she was a picture of health and cancer free. She even got a clean bill of Health July 2023. But sometime after apparently tumors started to enter her lungs, no breathing issues until the night of January 3rd, I noticed a change, but nothing alarming, she had an appointment for January 5th. But the morning of the 4th when I woke, I noticed it had gotten worse. So, I called her vet and told them she needed to come in ASAP. They said to head their way and they would treat as an emergency. We arrived at 8:25 AM CST and a couple of techs came out to get her. Once inside they started tests and a few minutes later her vet of five and a half years came to tell me the news. I knew by her face, it wasn\’t good. X-rays revealed tumors in her lungs. She had celebrated her 16th birthday October 7, 2023. Her vet said, \”It\’s time\”. The past couple of years even though she did great and was still active, had a quality of life and loved life. We knew with her age; we knew it could come at any time. But she always bounced back and wasn\’t one to give up. The past couple of weeks she wasn\’t herself, but with arthritis and a torn rear left naturally healed ACL from December 2022 from a slip-on snow. When the weather was rainy and damp or cold, she\’d lay around, but once it was better, she\’d be back to herself. Since we\’d had rain and then it turned cold, I just thought it was the weather. I took her for a bath Christmas Eve as one of her gifts, with some treats and a plush shark toy. I had thought these might be our last holidays, and that this year I might have to make the decision, not so soon into the new year. She always bounced back after little issues and come home with me, but not this time. I am having her cremated and bring her ashes back home. Since January 4th it\’s been like time has stopped, I haven\’t brought myself to move or change anything at home. Christmas is still up and her things still out, where they were when she and I left that last morning when she didn\’t come home with me like always before. Her vet, techs and everyone there says I was the best mom as do friends. Her vet even said if I had not adopted her, she probably would not made it out of the Animal Control, but even knowing I was a great mom. I was so blessed to have been her mom and had her five and a half years. My life is richer because of her. But I miss her so much even knowing she is in a better place and waiting at the bridge for me when the time comes. And I know she\’s playing with her buddy Chester who his mom had to say goodbye to just a couple of months or so earlier. They used to bark at each other across the street when they were in their yards. Love you so much my girl. Miss you so much.-
Barbara, What a touching story. Thank you for sharing it with us. Come to our group meeting tomorrow, Thursday January 18th at 7PM Eastern. I think it will help to talk more with our kind, understanding friends. I am sending you my deepest sympathy💔Toni
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