RIP Maddie

As if all the moving craziness wasn't enough, our Maddie had a tough year this year. Over the summer, she was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease, which is best explained as advanced aging for dogs. Telling Stu that I couldn't handle one more loss this year, we signed up for the custom doggie Rx to help her symptoms. That helped for a bit, but while we were gone for two weeks (first for Maranatha, then in Vegas), Megan reported that she started acting strange.

When we got home, I definitely noticed a difference. She wasn't moving around as much and seemed more sore than usual (she was also on an anti-inflammatory). We took her to the vet, and she told us that we had a decision to make. Maddie was likely not well enough to make the 3 day road trip to Vegas, and then live first in a high-rise condo, and then our new house. The adjustments were just going to be too much for her.

I had no idea how difficult it was to say goodbye to a dear animal like Maddie. She was really our first ("practice") child, and I miss her so. On the Saturday that Stu was taking her to the vet, I made a big breakfast. We figured out afterwards that she had about 5 pieces of bacon, some eggs, and at least one biscuit. Quite a meal! Stuart was so brave to make the trip, and he brought home paw prints for each of the kids to remember her by. When we told the kids, it was the saddest moment I've ever had with them. They literally fell on the floor in the basement and wailed for several minutes. We remembered fun things about her, and talked about her. One of Kate's first responses was, "But we can have a new dog, right??"

I'm writing this in retrospect, and still have tears in my eyes. She was like a member of the family to me-- she sat by me when I watched KU basketball and watched over me when I had morning sickness. She sat by my chair when I fed baby Sam 4 times a night. The kids remember her playing chase with dad and playing pirate on the bed with her bandana on around her head. She loved the snow-- I know I have a picture somewhere but can't find it. She was a great great dog.