Sunday Post - A Very Sad Day

On Friday, April 19th at 2:20pm, we said good-bye to our best friend.   He was taken way too early and didn't even make it to see his 9th Birthday in May.  He loved playing in the fields in front of his local high school, walking with Dad, Mom and Brother through the neighborhood, eating and sleeping in bed.  Everyone who ever met him fell in love with him and as the usual case with pet lovers, most in our neighborhood know us as T's Mom and Dad and have no clue about our actual names.

I would like to tell you what happened but in all honesty, we don't know.  Wednesday we noticed he was having some minor trouble walking more than a few feet before dragging his leg a tad.  We went to the ER vet who suspected some sort of trauma to his back and who sent us home with pain killers, muscle relaxers and an order of no walks for at least 7 days.  By Thursday evening, he could barely move and by Friday morning, he couldn't use his back legs at all.  We tried helping him around the house and outside, which was no easy feat with a 120 pound pup.  However, if it would have helped, we would have gladly continued doing so for as long as necessary.  I was able to take off work to be with him Thursday and both Mr. Barb and I stayed home with him Friday.  We spent two nights sleeping on the floor beside him because he couldn't really make it upstairs.  

Our vet worked him in Friday afternoon.  He and Booker T's favorite vet tech and girlfriend Peggy examined him and although some possible causes were given (a ruptured disc in his back, nerve damage, some sort of nerve stroke) we didn't really hear what was being said.  Booker T's prognosis was not good.  He hadn't used the bathroom in over 24 hours and although he was being strong and acting like everything was okay, we knew he was suffering.  So we made the decision all pet owners hope they never have to make and helped him pass.  We were there with him the whole time holding his paws and kissing his face.  I promised him we would take care of Cass and more importantly, let Cass take care of us.  I also told him I would do my best to help his Dad through this.

Booker T was laid to rest in the flower garden in our backyard with the three boxers we have lost before him.  He is now in a place where he is healthy and feels no pain.  He's playing with lots of other dogs, chasing squirrels and playing tug.  We promised him he would no longer have to be afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks. We also told him there would be a tree in Heaven which grows his favorite treats - bone shaped Chew-lottas.  

We are trying to survive here at The Farm.  Everyone is basically numb.  Cass won't let us out of his sight and has comforted us and licked away our tears.  

I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers.  Booker T will live on through Booker T's Farm.  Every time I do a "Can't Wait Wednesday" post it will be his face you see.  Cass will be more prominent than in the past because Booker T would want it that way.  

We love you Booker T.  You'll always be in our hearts!

So I'm doing things a tad bit differently this year and will be combining all of my regular weekend posts.  This will enable me to add more content on Fridays and it is just starting to make more sense.  I'll still be linking up with Stacking the Shelves at Tynga's Reviews and Sunday Post at Caffeinated Reviewer.  Both blogs are awesome so make sure you check them out.