Lucygoo updates/Lucygoo has passed

I am so very sorry for what has happened to Lucygoo and what you now must endure.

You have been so brave and strong for her. I read about her surgery and was in awe of how well you handled it all.

Sometimes we are stronger than we think. Sometimes, when we think we can no longer be strong, we rally and carry on. You have been so brave for so long. The anticipatory grief is very hard to go through but it is a stage of grief we experience.

Lucy is living now in the moment and somehow you will live in the moment with her. She will tell you when. You will know.

I can't tell you how many times my litle cat rallied. She was not ready to go. When she was finally ready, I knew.

You have so much to be proud of. Always remember that.

Hugs,
Addy

Quote:

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You have so much to be proud of. Always remember that.

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Addy has hit the nail on the head. I will add that we are also so very proud of you and sweet Goo.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

I'm struggling now with whether to put Lucy down in the next few days and am looking for opinions. Everyone keeps saying I'll know when it's time, but I don't know. Called Dr. B yesterday and he said to see if she eats. She's eating chicken, with gusto, but she's had increasing difficulty getting up and walking, to the point where yesterday she didn't get up at all. Even when I helped her up she would fight me and just collapse back down. She did get up on her own at around 2:30 this morning to go outside. Once outside she collapsed again. The hardest part is that she is alert and keeps looking around. I think I know it's time but I almost wish she wouldn't eat anything and wouldn't look so damn alert, but it kills me to see her struggle to get up. It's like her legs just won't work anymore. They have someone that can come to the house, which is what I'm going to do I think.

Oh Gina, I am so terribly sorry that you're facing this decision. But nobody in the world knows Lucy better than you do, so I have no doubt that you'll end up making the decision that is the very best for her.

I do have some general thoughts, though, that I will go ahead and share with you since you have asked. I realize that I've often told people the same thing -- that their dogs will let them know when it is time. But even in saying that, I also believe that we have to do our best to interpret signs and signals that may not always be so obvious. From my own dogs, I have now learned how good they are at masking pain until it reaches a breaking point. So in a situation where I knew that my dog was suffering from a terminal illness that had the potential to cause great pain or collapse, my own thought would be to release them before they reached that point of suffering.

This is such a hard call to make. When my Barkis was so ill at the end, my husband and I went back-and-forth for a couple of days. I remember him saying, "How can we put him down while he's still able to stand and walk?" While I was saying, "How can we wait to put him down until he can no longer stand and walk?" It is such a fine line. But in the end, together, we both decided it was time. And I think we took comfort in knowing that we released him at a time when he still retained his dignity. He left this world as the proud dog he had always been throughout his life.

From what I've written, I think you can guess the timing that I'd choose if Lucy were my dog. But that in no way means that I think it is the right choice for you. Because, as I say, nobody in the world knows her better than you. I will support you, Gina, no matter what time frame you decide upon.

Please give her special hugs for me, Gina. And here are some special hugs for you, too, from across the miles.
Marianne

Lucygoo....my heart, my goo, passed away at 4 p.m. pacific time. I had to let her go. It was very peaceful but my heart is broken. Just wanted you all to know

Gina,

I am so sorry. It is so hard, but again you put her needs first. She will be missed by everyone here. We were all so fortunate to be able to be a part of her pioneering surgery. Thank you Gina for sharing her with us. She leaves a legacy that will benefit so many in the future.

It may be raining here, but her star shines brightly.

Godspeed Lucygoo.

Sending Love and Hugs of comfort to you Gina.
~Mary Ann

Oh Gina,

I am so, so sorry for the loss of your sweet Lucygoo. Letting our furbabies go is the hardest decision we have to make but we make this decision from the deep love we have for them in our heart.

My heart is breaking for you, my dear friend, we all loved her too and we love you very much. Please stay with us as we understand what you are going through and we will be here for you, always.

Godspeed Lucygoo.

With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Lori

Gina,

I am so very sorry for your loss of Lucy, I have been following your story and my heart is breaking for you. I am praying for you at this awful time. You are enduring pain that I too will one day have to face and made decisions I will have to make and I can't even wrap my mind it all.

I am shedding tears with you.
Beverly

Oh Gina ... I am so sorry to hear the latest on Lucygoo. She was a pioneer of the surgery in the US and she will be always famous in my books. You were a wonderful Mum (or Mom as you say) and did truly love and care for her.

Take care and hugs to you
Angela and Flynn

Gina,

So sorry to hear about Lucy. Another angel has their wings.

Jenny