[Dailydrool] Another Bridge Baby -- Farewell my Sweet Stanley

[Susan Randolph]

I had to help my new rescue boy Stanley to the bridge this morning and want 
to thank everyone who sent drool and messages of support.

On Thanksgiving eve he grew ill, sparking a terrifying drive to the ER vet 
in the wee hours. While he seemed to respond to the meds and improve in the 
first few days after that, he fell ill again over the Thanksgiving weekend 
and was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. He was hospitalized and battled 
that, along with a nasty bacteria, for 5.5 days before finally coming home 
last Saturday. He was skinny but seemed to be doing very well ... but only 
for a day. By Sunday afternoon, what the vet initially thought was a mild 
complication with his tongue ballooned into uremic tongue necrosis (a VERY 
nasty, aggressive and cruel condition that is a rare complication from acute 
kidney failure). We battled it for the last few days (eventually resorting 
to the insertion of a feeding tube so he could receive sustenance while the 
tongue necrosis resolved itself) and I was hoping to bring him home 
tomorrow. But overnight he developed septic peritonitis, brought on by a 
perforated ulcer. I could not put him through anything more. He was hurting 
and the chance for recovery was so slim that I helped him make his final 
journey at 11:50 am. I kissed him repeatedly and told him what a special and 
loved boy he was, though I don't know if he heard or believed me. I would 
give anything to have had his final days filled with his favorite treats and 
bellyrubs instead of tubes and medicines. I'm so sorry I failed you, my 
sweet boy. Please know I tried.

My heart aches, and I don't know how to stop crying. But as alway, I want to 
give belated thanks for the caring support of Droolers. Please hug your 
houndies close tonight in honor of sweet Stanley. And if/when the time is 
right, give thought to adopting a senior pup. They are the hidden treasures 
within every rescue.

Godspeed Sweet Stanley. Mommy loves you. Always.

Susan