Somehow I didn’t notice. Earlier in the year Rex had some issues with walking and our new vet set him up on a pain management regimen. It really helped him. But he ended up having digestive problems because of the pain medicine. And I mean problems. Several times the kitchen looked like a crime scene. But Rex kept being a trooper.
Then I had to occasionally use a belly sling to help him in and out of the house. It seemed like it changed overnight. But it wasn’t. A year and a half earlier, Rex stopped sleeping on my bed because he couldn’t get up in the bed anymore so I put a dog bed right next to mine. Then he started having trouble getting up the stairs so the boys would walk behind him to catch him if he stumbled or fell. Then Rex just slept downstairs. So there were changes that should have, could have, prepared me but I happily stayed in denial.
So the crime scenes in the kitchen concerned me a lot. And the belly sling became an every walk need. But Rex was still a happy puppers.
Until Thursday, October 9. Rex slept all day. He wouldn’t get up for any reason. I brought food and broth to him and he took that without standing or sitting up. Eventually we helped him up and took him for a walk. The boys had to help carry Rex back into the house.
I slept downstairs that night. Rex had an episode that scared both him and me. The look of fear and the shame he walked around with after the episode broke my heart. He had told me it was time.
He went peacefully. My heart broke. It’s still in pieces. The year had already brought enough struggles. This hit so hard. It still does. I still talk to him and he talks back in “his” voice. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I still see him in the house. And I miss petting his velvety ears. I miss Rex so very much.
Me & Rex
ohbloodyhell8 