It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that our beloved dog Tyler departed for heaven yesterday.
Poor Tyler had been on a steady decline over the last few months, becoming more and more listless, with loss of appetite and incontinence, and things came to a head in the wee hours of Monday morning. I awakened to the sounds of his feeble whiny bark. I made my way downstairs and dimly made out his form in the predawn light, huddled in the middle of the living room. I went to him, bent over and urged him to get up so I could let him outside to do his business. I was met with soft whimpering and crying so pitiful that tears immediately sprang to my eyes. Something was very wrong. I tried in vain to lift him off the ground, but he simply could not move; it was as if he was paralyzed. Shocked by his erratic behavior, I raced upstairs to tell Michael. We both curled up on the floor beside him and comforted him and stroked his head, sensing that this was the beginning of the end.
A while later, we were standing in the kitchen and were surprised to see Tyler come wandering slowly toward us. He quietly stood by the back door, as if waiting to go outside. He wandered out to the backyard, Michael left for work, and the boys and I began our day, keeping a watchful eye on Tyler.
A short while later, poor Tyler had collapsed again, this time in the hilly ivy-covered slope of our front yard. We knew the time had come to put the poor guy out of his misery, so we loaded him in the truck and headed for the vet.
The waiting room at the vet clinic was PACKED with people and all manner of dogs and cats, patiently waiting for their appointment. NOT what we wanted to deal with at this particular moment.
Finally we were finally ushered back to an exam room where the vet explained that during her exam of Tyler, she suspected that there was a spinal tumor, which was likely causing his pain and paralysis. She explained the different options of testing, imaging, steroid injection, etc. and said that given his advanced age and condition, there was no guarantee that there was anything that would improve his situation or extend his life. We knew the best choice for him at this time was to be put to sleep.
All four of us were in the room, while the vet inserted the catheter for the procedure.
We told him how much we all loved him and said our final goodbyes…
The whole thing went very quick, almost instantly. And for that I am so thankful.
Our poor Tyler was finally at peace, with no more pain.
I was walking up the driveway when we returned home later that afternoon
when something caught my eye…
A watermark, in the shape of a heart, right by the spot where Tyler had collapsed just hours earlier.
I am a firm believer in signs from above, and I had to smile through my tears when I saw this.
It is so fitting and symbolic of a dog who was well loved and loved everyone.
For 13 1/2 years, we were blessed with a great family pet,
hunting/camping buddy and faithful companion.
Rest In Peace, Tyler!
