Unfortunately, only five days after losing Abby, we've learned we will also be losing Keeper very shortly. Could be anytime but not more than a month. Again, a mass surrounding her liver, like Abby, but the bubble hasn't burst inside her yet. When it does, she may have only hours to live. For various reasons, an operation is not going to happen. Keeper, it should be noted, survived three cancer operations and gave us more two years of quality life . . . . but that will not happen this time.
This morning, Keeper was out barking at a herd of elk near our fence, the elk making a dash to escape some bowhunters . . . . then she was rooting around for some mushrooms. She's comfortable although weakened, and not in pain. When the end comes, it will be fast or we may assist her before then.
It all seemed very normal. Except it's not. She has a time bomb ticking inside her.
It seems remarkably cruel to lose these two within such a short time after more than a decade together.
Keeper at daybreak this morning:
Abby and Keeper's lives have been well-chronicled at
www.goldentales.ca and they have fans around the world. I knew they had become rock stars last year when we were out west and I was loading them up in the Durango when a car came by, backed up, parked beside us and then a gentleman got out and asked, "Are those the dogs with the website?" Recognized on sight by their fans.
Through cyberspace or directly, Abby's loss brought more than 100 messages of condolence . . . . if we had thrown a funeral, it would have been a big one.
But . . . . we'll soon lose Keeper as well. It's been a very bad week.
Cowperson