My puppy has crossed the Rainbow Bridge

patrick66

Old Man with a Hat
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(I moved this part from my Imperial restore post). Doc hooked her up to an IV with fluids and antibiotics Monday morning. She has lost 12# now from her normal 66#. I went to spend time with her yesterday after work. She seemed better, and she thought she was going to go home. I spent a good 45 minutes with her before I went home. We'll see how or if she is progressing this afternoon, and go from that point. She was all cuddly! My wife used to work for our vet in the early '80s, so he has taken care of the medical needs of four dogs and several cats over the years. A great doc, compassionate and kind.

With yesterday's x-rays and labs, she definitely has a liver problem. Both her white and red cell count doubled from Friday's check-up. She likely has a tumor near her kidney, and she developed jaundice Sunday night. Hopefully, he's stemmed the progress of her ailment.

When I first met Rolene (original name was Monroe) she was being put up for adoption by a local Boxer rescue. She had been in the May 13, 2013 Moore, OK EF4 tornado that blew through. Her home was destroyed. Her family couldn't find housing that would accept dogs, so she was surrendered to the Boxer people. The rescue set up in front of a pet supply store/vet office. This was May of 2014. I'd just lost my PapaChi to a horrible accident a month prior, and wasn't looking for another dog quite yet. Something made me stop to see what dogs were there. And there she was! She came right up to me, no problem! I sat on the sidewalk to pet her, and she came over and laid her head on my lap. That was it, I started crying like a little kid! She found me, I found her. I adopted her three days later. She got along right off with my Chihuahua, DeeDee.

So, now, seven years on, she needs me, and I need her. More than ever
 
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Today, Ro went in for surgery to remove a tumor that had developed on her liver. The liver proved to be full of cancer, and the tumor had gone from zero to baseball-size, and had enveloped her liver. So, my wonderful Black-Mouth Cur named Rolene is gone. We were a part of each other's lives from June 4, 2014 to July 21, 2021. The doc's assistant called my wife with the results, and my wife called me at work. We met at the vet, and spent our last moments. She was still under, thankfully, so we said our goodbyes for several minutes, and left. Ro was such a gentle soul! A great watchdog, with the most endearing "woo-woooooo"! She was a great judge of character. She knew if you were a bad guy or a good guy in two seconds. Very protective, and very loving. I've got her blanket on the couch - her favorite spot.

I'm going to end here. I know I'm hardly the only guy to lose a beloved dog; for me, it helps to write about her. She was a wonderful, special dog. I miss you, Rolene. Now, you get to play with DeeDee, and meet and play with Gigi and Shelly, too.

Rolene - 14 Feb 2012- 21 Jul 2021.
Run free and play, Ro!


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I love the first picture. It's as if the hand of God is reaching for her. That is the last pic I took of her, this past Sunday.
 
Well that's just F'n sad. I hate it for you, but I'm sure you've been here before. In the end the good times always outweigh the pain.

I lost my oldest dog less than a year ago. I think that was the first time I had cried in 10 years.
 
I am so sorry for your loss. Sounds like you created a good life for Rolene. It is better to have loved and lost rather than not loved at all.
 
So sorry to hear, Patrick, it never is easy when they go. Ro will always be with you in spirit.
 
Very sorry for your loss. A friend of mine has a Boxer he is their second one, I was very fortunate to be able to dog sit their first Boxer a few times. She was quite the dog and real talker.
 
Really sorry for your loss of your friend. Our dogs become such an integral part of our lives, and they are gone far too soon. I feel your pain. CG
 
My condolences certainly, I’ve lost many a pet in my lifetime, yet I keep getting a new one just to have my heart broken again years later. But I wouldn’t change a thing about it. As you mentioned we need them as much as they need us.
She’s in a better place. God bless
 
Always tough to loose a pet. Sorry for your loss Patrick.
 
So sorry to hear Patrick. You gave her a great life for sure and she gave you great memories. RIP Rolene.
 
R.I.P. Ro. Sorry for your loss Patrick.
 
So sorry for your loss. We had to put our Ginger down a few years ago after she sustained a back injury that essentially paralyzed her back half. I feel your pain. Ro is in a better place. Take a few months and when you are ready adopt a rescue dog.
 
Thanks to all. Today is Day One without Rolene. I slept with her collar under my pillow, and her furry blanket on the bed. And it was the first full night of sleep I've had in ten days. It'll take time, it always does. We'll have another, of that, I'm certain. Our local shelters are full, and have been giving away dogs and pets for free, and waived their normal $55.00 fee. I'm definitely not ready for a new dog, but it'll happen.
 
Bummer, sorry to hear, take the time to recover, and go get the next one, it's what we do, and they give back soooo much in return.
 
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