[Dailydrool] RIP Scarlett

[Sarah WEEKS]

Our sweet Scarlett gently breathed her last today in her favorite sunny spot.  Once again, I am so very thankful that I did not have to call the shots-she went on her own terms, just like Rosebud did a year ago.  
 
She had been going downhill for quite a while. She'd always been a sausage, but even though she still had a good appetite, she had lost a great deal of weight, and all her ribs were showing.  When all the kids were home for Christmas break, I told them that they needed to say their goodbyes to her because the minute I heard her whimper or saw any sign of pain or discomfort, I was going to send her straight to the Bridge.
 
She ate her supper last night and her bedtime cookie. She meandered out of her crate this morning, just like always, went outside, and did all the things she normally does.  When I got home from church, she was lying up against our little brick wall, sunning herself--or so I thought.  I went out to pet her, and her belly was distended.  She was not panting or gasping like she was bloating, but I immediately called our vet and made arrangements for him to put her down this afternoon. He said that it did not sound like bloat, and was most likely fluid from congestive heart failure. My son and I had wrapped her up in a blanket, and as I was petting her and talking to her,she just stopped breathing.  
 
Scarlett walked into our house and into our hearts eleven years ago. She was a rescue--she came into our lives when she was about a year old. Her former family was so surprised that she had turned into such a BIG dog.  She was "so little" when they got her.  (well, DUH, she's a basset, but their loss was OUR gain, big time!)  She had the softest fur I've ever seen on a basset. It was like cashmere.  She absolutely LOVED all of Rosebud's puppies. We used to call her Aunt Scarlett. She would let them crawl all over her, bite her ears, etc. and she never ever scolded them.  She was also a  "talking" basset.  She would sit there and make all sorts of vocalizations--just like she was carrying on a conversation. It was hilarious.  We will miss her so much, but we are celebrating the years of love and companionship she gave to all of us.  
 
Romp free and healthy at the Bridge, sweet girl.  You were a joy!
 
Sarah and the Mobile gang,
Rosbud ATB, Scarlett ATB, T-Bone and Tar Baby the wild man wannabe
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