That Jazz of Mine

I guess saying goodbye to pets doesn't get easier with practice. We've been through this multiple times, and though I try my best, it always brings me to tears. Jasmine's blood work came back bad, very bad. Her liver enzymes tested 100 times what is considered normal. The diagnosis is Hepatocutaneous Syndrome.

Although well behaved, Jazz has been in obvious stress and dis- comfort for some time now, at least obvious to us. Her high pain tolerance masks her symptoms to those who aren't familiar with her normal ways. What looks like a happy, normal dog at the vet's office, is actually a dog in much pain. A normal vet visit would have her tugging, pulling, whining, barking, and being otherwise absolutely obnoxious. I've always dreaded taking my normally well behaved dog to the vet.

Today we were faced with the decision we knew was probably coming. Rather than tough out the weekend, we decided not to make our dog suffer any longer with an incurable liver disease. We called the animal shelter where we got her twelve years ago and re-surrendered her. Neither one of us really wanted to go back to the woman vet who insists on treating our dog like a child, and we really can't afford more tests and treatments for a dog who is old, sick, and going to die no matter what kind of treatment she receives. She was a good dog, a great orchard companion, and although not altogether faithful, a fun dog to have around, when she wasn't down at Martin's.

I give you an old picture of happier days and a link back to one of my first blog posts, "Jazz of Mine"