Almost exactly 4 years after discovery of his adrenal tumor...2.5 years after his adrenalectomy for his adrenal tumor and subsequent diagnosis of an insulin-secreting pancreatic tumor...20 months spent battling hypoglycemia as a result of that tumor...Winston's journey ends in a few short hours.

In the end, it wasn't the adrenal tumor or the insulinoma that got him. He was completely normal most of the day yesterday. Spent it at doggie daycare and seemed normal when I picked him up at 4:30. At 6:30 he was still normal. By 7:20 I knew something was suddenly very wrong. Gave him an hour to settle down hoping it was early pancreatitis. I gave him some anti-nausea meds and pain meds, but within 20 minutes he started vomiting them up. Vomited 5 times, got super painful. We went to the ER, they hospitalized him overnight. At 2 am last night they woke me up with a call saying he is worsening and needs blood pressure support medications and artificial glucose because his blood pressure and blood sugar were low. At 6 am I was told his bloodwork suggested an overwhelming bacterial infection. At 9 am, they called and said he had a septic abdomen (fluid in his belly with bacteria in it) and they think they saw an intestinal mass where the fluid was accumulating. He needs emergency surgery where the odds at best are 50/50 for survival, or euthanasia. I just can't make him go through another surgery. I visited him around 10:30 and I don't think he was even aware I was there. My mom dropped everything and is flying here. When she arrives around 6 pm central time, we're going to the emergency clinic he's been hospitalized at and letting him go. Then tomorrow my mom and I are making the 10 hour drive with his little body that failed him and burying him on my parents' land.

I'm absolutely devastated but know in my heart it's the right choice, even as hard as it is. Light the candle for Winston, my little "westie bestie". Life won't be the same without you in it, bud. Until we meet again, my friend.

Thank you all for being here for us throughout the years. I'll try to come back from time to time, when it doesn't hurt quite so much.