He was battling FCE for a little over a month now. He was responding well to IV prednisone and each time came out of the paralysis quickly. His last week with me he was hospitalized Sunday and although he pulled through he struggled with his balance and seemed a little bit lethargic. By Thursday he seemed to be doing great, and we had an incredible day. We spent the morning at a doctors appointment of mine, where he laid quietly across the room while I spoke to the doctor. All of the nurses and doctors that day mentioned how calm and under control he was. We went from there to run a few errands. We went to Wal-Mart where shopping was the most annoying thing possible, and after three employee's told me to move (out of their way!) my last straw was an employee bending down and calling him to pet him. He had his classic "Uhm, MOM!? Don't you see this woman!?" So, we put everything back, and left for Target! Haha. He played his silly "I can't pee anywhere new" games, until we got to Target, where he pulled to get to his grassy patch! We had so much fun shopping and being silly. Winston was such an angel the entire day. He just seemed to know exactly what to do, and when. While shopping we (his aunt Laura and I) decided that Winston deserved a new toy! We found an incredible plush olive toy
, and a hilarious dog perignon! (only green). Laura and I wanted him to pick, so we dropped them on the ground and I told him "okay!" so that he could pick. He was such a goof, pawed one, and picked up the other! We decided that he definitely wanted the Dog Perignon.
When we got home he was just as delighted to carry his bottle around. He had a nice evening but by dinner time, I knew we were headed back to the vet. It started when I asked him to retrieve the remote for me. Usually, he jumps to do this because it is easily reached and well, he is a labrador! When I gave him the cue, he sighed and walked to his bed where he laid down. He was slowly losing his balance, and acting more and more lethargic. We were at the vet's emergency room by 7pm. By the time we got there, I knew the symptoms differed a little. He was drooling much more and his paralysis was spread throughout his body. Our incredible vet immediately began taking care of him, and allowed me to go back to the procedure room to say goodbye before leaving him. Laura had left to meet us at the vet as soon as she heard the news, and we decided to grab a bite to eat since we thought he was settled in with the vet.
Shortly after we received our drinks, I got a phone call. I tried my best to listen and peel away any sign of hope from the words that were spilling out of the vet's mouth. He was anemic, severely. His CBC was terrible. He had done emergency x-rays, and found a tumor on his spleen. I just kept listening trying to hear hope somewhere in the conversation. By that time, Kara (my coworker) had arrived. She began making calls, and within a few minutes I had Dr. Fierer on the phone. I went through the events and knew when he was silent there was nothing left to do. Winston was too weak to make it through a blood transfusion and his tumor had an 85% of being cancer. Atop of the devastating FCE, Hypo active Thyroid, and IBD, it was just unfair to put him through more. I knew what had to be done.
Winston had us all with him. His grandma, Megan, Laura, Kara and I. I held his paw and talked to him and told him how incredible he was until he could simply not stay awake any longer. It was the hardest choice i've ever made, but he was telling me loud and clear that he was ready.
I am not sure how to end this entry, other than saying that Winston was simply the most charming and joyous dog. He was loyal, and loved being obedient. He had a great sense of humor, but was proud and very classy. He took his job as seriously as a Marine and he will never be forgotten.
May he spend all of his days swimming and lounging in warm sun. May he never forget that he saved my life in so many ways.
I love you, Winston.
June 13th, 1999 - February 28th, 2008.
