We lost Kaya last night. She was diagnosed with a form of mouth cancer last week after having breathing issues on Monday night. She had a large tumour in her teeth roots and jaw, and one in her nasal passages. Unfortunately, they were inoperable, so she was just put on some anti-inflams and pain killers. Since Monday she was struggling to get any air through her nose, and because of the way dogs breathe, it meant she couldn’t sleep and was in a bad way at night. During the day, if she was outside running around panting and breathing through her mouth, she was fine, but as soon as she tried to rest, she couldn’t.
We made the heartbreaking decision to let her go peacefully in our arms last night. It’s the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I feel like there is now a huge part of me missing. I keep expecting her to come moseying around the corner, or see her lying on the couch waiting for her breakfast.
She spent the last few days surrounded by her favourite people, including her Grandma, and doing her favourite things. We took her to the beach on Saturday where she swam and ran around and met up with Zephyr and his owner. On Sunday we had a trip to the local park with Spot and Boss. I am glad in some ways that she was still enjoying life right up until the end, I just didn’t want to put her through another night of not being able to sleep.
I can’t even begin to describe how I am feeling at the moment. It was so hard to let her go, but I think she has gone on to a better place where she can run and play as much as she likes and have big long snoozes in the sun, on her back with legs in the the air, without being in any discomfort.
Kaya was a very special girl and I feel so fortunate to have been able to share her with so many people all around the world. She had a big impact in such a short time and really was like having a person around rather than a dog. At the moment, I have lost her voice, but I’m hoping that with time she will be able to reach through the barrier that now lies between us and talk through me again.
I have photos of her last days that I can’t look at right now, but I will post them when I can.
My eventual plan is to write a book about Kaya, using the stories and photos I have taken since she was just a little puppy. It will be hard and I am not sure when I will be able to start it, but I would love for anyone who reads this blog and loved Kaya, to send me a message for her that I can include in the book. You can email messages for Kaya to charlotte@cmrdesign.net
Run free, beautiful girl. We will always love you.
by Charlotte Reeves
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