Goodbye, Aby

[mountaindogs]

Aby, my 12 year old very special Shetland Sheepdog, who has been with me through so many life changes since my teenage years, passed over the bridge on Sunday evening. She had been hospitalized due to difficulty breathing and was on Oxygen support, though true to her nature she did not want anything around her head. I'm told she happily chewed her O2 line holding it with her paws spread like a hand as she was know for at home, and so she was moved up to an oxygen "hood" which she tolerated slightly better, and was able to rest. The doctors were unsure wether she had pneumonia or lung cancer, but there is no good treatment for lung cancer. So we treated it as if it were pneumonia, with aggressive antibiotics, but Aby declined very quickly. Within 24 hours she was struggling to breath, and we were scheduled to transfer to the specialist on Monday to biopsy for cancer. Aby waited until I was able to come onto my shift, I hugged her and petted her and 5 minutes later she stopped breathing. It was very quick.

Aby, I will miss my Abycadabra so much. You were so special to me, always a well behaved tolerant dog, even as a wild puppy. I remember how easy you were to house train, and how you were always following me no matter where we went you would never venture too far without waiting to be sure I was coming too. How you paced behind me in classic sheepdog herding style. I remember how you irritated Biff in your puppy days, and how you got so excited to see me when I came home from Africa, that you broke your leg. I remember how you wouldn't leave that little "ouch" cast on how I had to sit with you at 6 months to keep you calm and off your leg. I remember long walks around the lake in PA, and chasing birds and squirrels, how from the beginning I could walk you off lead and you would listen and stay within 6 feet on a walk. I remember how you played with your puppies and kept everyone in line rounding them all up with a squeaky toy to bring them back inside. I remember how you would sleep under Archer's crib when he was a baby, and guard with your sheepdog stare. How you tolerated the tail tugs and ear pulls and being used as a toddler walker, and how you tolerated all the new "big" dogs, and still stayed matriarch of the house. How you played with the other puppies and then pretended not to when we noticed. I remember how you rolled your eyes when Drake came home from the hospital, and you clearly thought "another one!" But you guarded him too. And tolerated his fur pulling and ear pulling, though you were getting older and less quick to hide. I remember how you loved to lay in the shade outside the house and watch the birds, and how you would run miles with the "big dogs" and ride on the 4-wheeler back home if you got too tired. I remember how you taught our oldest GSP's and lab to play retrieve. And your vendetta with Katie, and how you were always trying to steal "the good people food." I remember how you would sleep on the stack of floor pillows like the "Princess and the Pea" and any dirty clothes on the floor were obviously left there as a bed.

I will always love you Aby. You were with me for many of the best years of my life, and I am glad that you did not suffer long. I only wish I could have given you half of what you gave to me. I will look for you in Heaven, when I get there, because "If dogs don't go to heaven, then I want to go were they went!"

Chase the birds and squirrels in heaven and lie in the warm sun. Peace be with you, Aby. I love you.

from laurie

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15987204@N04/2409227694/" title="Aby in the snow by extrafoxinsox, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/240 ... 1071ed.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Aby in the snow"></a>

[FanofGSP'S]

So Sorry for your loss!

[phermes1]

My condolences.

[Kiki's Mom]

May your many memories made these past years give you comfort in this difficult time of loss. Our deepest sympathies to you and may the gift of time heal your broken heart.
Blessed Be....

[Crystal kennels]

Laurie I am so sorry. I've had 2 special lifetime dogs...one was my Honey a Doberman who lived to be 13 and my Indy dog who is 9 years old and a Rip daughter. I treasure her. We love them all but there are those that are truly, truly special soulmates. Again...I am so truly sorry. Take care and cherish the time you had with her.........she will always be around in spirit


Judy

[vern3]

Sorry for you loss and pain during this difficlult time, keep you head up

[mountaindogs]

Thank you everyone. Judy, you are right, she was a soulmate. Hard to explain the bond but she was very special. I will miss her very much. I have so many other wonderful dogs but there is a big empty space in the house (and in me!) where a little dog is missing. Even our cat has been looking for her. She and Aby always pretended to hate each other until we weren't looking. We cought them playing many times, when they did not think any people were watching. A funny relationship they had, but nice to remember.

[snips]

I feel for your loss, it sure leaves a big gap. I have a tough decision to make next couple of days, my Logan is in bad shape. Ughhh.

[mountaindogs]

Oh, no. I am sorry to hear that. I will be thinking of you and Logan.

[Killer Instinct]

Best friends live forever in the memories we keep....

I share the loss you feel as I also lost my best friend (Whiz) of 14 1/2 years back on September 15, 2007. The loss was so overwhelming that less than 2 weeks later we traced down a breeder in WI that had her "line" & had pups available.... needless to say - Abby's pix is on the right as we flew her up to Alaska with Whiz's sweet spirit looking on.... and haven't ever regretted it....

I'm so sorry for your loss.