My sweet, sweet George is passing on. To even see these words brings me to tears as I write this.
George is 15, and I thought we had many more years together. He's always been healthy, strong and independent. I am in complete shock that this is really happening.
I noticed Monday night that George was having difficulty breathing as he cuddled next to me on the couch. I knew in my heart of hearts something was seriously wrong.
The next day I took George to see Dr. Garrison at Roscoe Village Animal Hospital, who has been my vet and cared for George since I found him nearly dead on the side of the road 15 years ago. After tests and x-rays of his chest and abdomen, the doctor found substantial amounts of fluid in and around George's lungs.
George's heart is sick, and this is what is most likely causing the inside and outside of his lungs to fill with fluid. It's only a short matter of time before his lungs are completely filled with fluid, and he will not be able to breathe.
I could choose to put him through agonizing procedures that may bide him a few months. Instead, I chose to have him at home to live out his next few hours with me in his home, where I can give him all of the love and care I can muster.
My heart is officially shattered into a million pieces. I am not ready to lose him. We are never really ready to lose what we love.
There hasn't been a day that's gone by in 15 years where I havent told him at least 50 times how pretty he is, and how much I love him. Seldom have I left the house without first saying to him, "I love you, George."
I need to accept what is happening and I want to give him a comfortable, dignified death to honor the joy he has brought to me every day we've been together.
Lap of Love is a compassionate group of veterinarians who come to the home to give pets a peaceful exit. They will be arriving here at my home tomorrow evening to put my George to rest.
My hope is that this very small group of my dearest, most loving and supportive friends and family can collectively help me through this time with a small donation to go directly towards George's peaceful exit and cremation. The expenses to care for him this past week have added up during what is always a financially challenging time of the year, as Hemlock is closed for the Winter season.
I will be saying goodbye to George tomorrow between 5 and 6pm, Chicago time. Please take a moment during this time of the evening to have us in your hearts and send us your most loving thoughts and prayers.
I will be thinking loving thoughts of you all too and thinking of all of the times we shared together with George listening to records, hanging out by the Christmas tree, singing and playing music, having meals and fires in the yard and on the back porch, and whipping him up on my shoulders and swinging him around like you all know I loved to do. He absolutely loved being manhandled! He lived his best life, and he loved every minute of the simple life we had together.
Words can't begin to express just how sad I am to be losing him. The tears have not stopped coming.
I will keep my George close to my heart forever.
Love,
Angie
