Yesterday we made the very difficult decision to have Cody put to sleep. He was nearly 13 years old and had cancer in his urethra. He was diagnosed in October 2007, and had been doing pretty well since, but the tumor made it increasingly difficult for him to urinate. He had recently lost a lot of weight, and the medication he was on to slow tumor growth had begun to affect his stomach. Recently his urination difficulties got considerably worse. Everything came together at about the same time to say that he was done - he was no longer particularly interested in eating, and his body was losing its ability to function properly. It was hard. Cody will be missed.
So here’s a look back at the healthy Cody. And while we’re at it, his best friend, Casey. Casey died of lung cancer in 2004, but when they were together, they were great companions, so it only seems fitting to remember them together here.
We got Casey in October 1995. Before long we decided she needed a companion, and that turned out to be Cody. Here’s a picture of them at roughly 4 months (Cody) and 6 months (Casey). See, best buds already.
We will make sure Christmas happens. You can count on us! (Notice the paw-holding action?)
Golden retrievers are completely at home in the snow. Casey (top) and Cody playing in our back yard:
They’re equally at home on the beach. First, a smooch on a Lake Michigan beach at sunset.
A couple shots of Cody playing in the sand dunes. That’s one happy dog.
And swimming. Pure Heaven. “Here, Dad. I brought my toy to throw again. Dad? Dad?!?”
Casey toward the end. Her cancer spread to her spine and paralyzed her hind end, but she didn’t let it stop her.
And finally a video to show how crazy Cody could be. We frequently walked with him past the two playgrounds in our neighborhood. When there weren’t kids playing, he loved to go down the slide.
I have no idea why the video doesn’t work, but if anyone wants to watch, you can find it here at YouTube.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Oh, Jenifer–my heart is absolutely breaking for you and Tim. Iit looks like Cody had the best doggy life in a home that loved and cherished him. The same goes for Casey. They were lucky for having you and you were blessed by having them.
{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}
August 18th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Awww … Jen … from one dog lover to another, I am SO sorry. I loved all those pics and now I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes. I know how hard it is. Is this why you were thinking of rereading “Where the Red Fern Grows”?
August 18th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Thanks both of you. It’s been tough, but getting easier.
Kim - I’ve been thinking of reading it for quite some time now, but couldn’t convince myself it was a good idea. Now I’m thinking it might not be the best time, but I’ll probably re-read it one of these days.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. There isn’t anything to say that makes this time of grieving easier. My household has always been a ‘pet’ domain. Of course, none of our animals have actually known they were pets — just beloved members of the family. We have lost several, and grieved over each loss. Actually, lost is a stupid verb when describing death, isn’t it? We didn’t lose them; we knew exactly what was happening and were so un-God-like that we couldn’t prevent it, and so human that our hearts ached with the need to stop the inevitable.
When I say I feel your pain — I do.
Thanks for sharing the tender pictures of your babies and the video was a wonderful treat. What great dogs you raised.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Oh, Jenifer, I am so sorry to hear about poor Cody. It’s always so hard to see our beloved pets grow old &/or sick. I’ve been thru that a time or two myself & it never, ever gets easier. (You never stop missing them, either.) {{{HUGS}}}} on your loss.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Thanks, Heidi & Sandra. You’re right, it’s definitely not easy, but I feel better knowing that Cody had a great life and we helped him out of it when the time was right.