Shelby's Final Chapter

Below is the account of Shelby's last weekend with us. Before those details fade, I just wanted to have a record of her last days. I understand if you don't want to read it, but for me, it's important to have that part of her story told. 

And as always, thank-you for letting me share Shelby with all of you, and for sharing her loss with us. Shelby is greatly missed. But at what I'm guessing is more than 14 years old, she had a long life. And because of her gentle and easy going nature, and despite the circumstances that led to her and Jack being taken to a shelter, I have to think and hope that she knew she was wanted and was loved, especially by us. 

Shelby's last chapter began the morning I left for my weekend away to Smith Mountain Lake. I noticed swelling on Shelby's back left-hock. Knowing what I do about this kind of thing, I worried that it was bone cancer. Even though our regular vet was out of town, I was able to get an appointment to have it looked at by another vet when I returned. Shelby was in good spirits, up and around almost as much as she always was, and had a good appetite, so I tried not to worry ....  too much. 

By Friday, the day of her appointment, I was holding onto that little bit of hope that maybe I was wrong. 

~At the vet, posing for an x-ray on her leg~

Sadly, I was not. It was bone cancer. 

~The x-ray and the diagnosis~

Shelby was really tired from the appointment, but she ate her dinner and slept soundly in the hallway overnight not moving from her spot. Saturday morning we helped her to get up and outside, and fed her breakfast. Afterwards, she came into the office and laid down on the floor. It would be the last time that Shelby would get up at all.

By Sunday afternoon, we'd tried several times to get Shelby onto her feet, but she kept collapsing and wouldn't stand and we were unable to get her to relieve herself. I increased her pain medication in hopes it would help. It didn't. I was again feeling that ache in my heart left by Jake, but I tried to remain hopeful. 

On my way to work on Monday, the calls to a vet began. My vet was still out of town, but I held onto hope that maybe "Fill-in-vet" could see her, but she couldn't. I called 5 different offices before calling an emergency vet who had room to see her. 

~A tile at the vets office, taken as we waited to be seen~

When we were given Shelby's diagnosis of bone cancer, I'd said several times, and I still believe that Shelby was keeping that secret, as well as one about the amount of pain she was in - And when we officially found out that last Friday that she had bone cancer, and we knew her secret, she put it all out there, and it all fell apart. Those precious days of grace that I so hoped for, that I always hope for, were not to be. So, we said good-bye to Shelby on August 15th.

It's only been 12 days since Shelby left us. I am still missing her. She had a cute little 'old lady' personality. She become silly and playful, when we'd trim her nails, or just when I'd scratch her back or give her tired muscles a massage. True to her golden retriever breed, she loved her meals. I'd say to her, 'it's time to eat,' and it always made me smile watching her eager and happy little gallop down the hallway towards the kitchen. 

She always knew she had to go outside afterwards, and before going out, she always looked at me with a total understanding because I'd always say to her, "I'll help you up the ramp to come back inside when you're ready." And she'd always be there, waiting for me by the ramp to help her walk up it and get inside. I still look for her at those times. Shelby truly was a gift. And I am beyond grateful for the time we got to know Shelby and love her for the last chapters of her life. ❤