Date: Monday, June 21, 2004
This afternoon we put Molly's bed in her wagon, lovingly placed
her in it, then took her for the three-block walk to our vet.
As soon as he saw her he knew that her quality of life had drastically
diminished, and agreed with us that it was time to put her gently
to sleep. We were with her, hugging and stroking and talking
to her as she peacefully passed away, tears streaming down our
cheeks.
What led to our decision were several things. This last weekend
she became almost completely immobile, and quit eating. She probably
had three kinds of cancer. She had lost 10 pounds. As I remembered
her proudly strutting in all those parades my heart just broke
to see her incredible struggles just to change position on her
bed. This was no way for a regal queen to spend the rest of her
life. We thought we knew what had to be done, but hoped the vet
would figure out something to help her. He has known Molly since
she was a puppy and was shocked at the drastic change in her
in the only two months since she'd last been to see him.
We're having her cremated, and the ashes placed in a cedar
box which we may bury in our back yard, but we're not sure yet.
The end of an era.
Pat James Ronda