September 24, 2009

We had the privilege of knowing Marty for only a few days before he was helped to the Bridge, but this sweet boy made a definite paw print in the hearts of every volunteer he met.

It's with so many tears and a very heavy heart that I write to tell you that Marty is at the Bridge. As I know he did with Brenda, Rona, John, Sheila, Dayle, and Jan, Marty had me at "hello" and I'm overwhelmed by the impact he had on me in our short time together. He was the sweetest, most handsome, and well mannered senior gent. Unfortunately, the cards were stacked against Marty and his tumor was growing and bleeding more - even when he'd play with his soft stuffie or eat his hamburger and rice. And, the tumor must have been pushing against his sinuses because his nose ran constantly - his chest fur was always wet, and his breathing started sounding kind of gurgly. His urine didn't look right either - it was very brown and didn't smell like urine typically smells (I had a belly band on him when he first came in the house in case he felt a need to mark - that's how I know). Makes me wonder if the cancer had spread - it's pretty common with the type of cancer he had. I felt so bad for him.

Marty had a good appetite, though, if the menu was to his liking, and he was always ready for seconds. He loved the ground sirloin and rice, with a little Emeril's beef broth. And, ice cream - he couldn't get enough. Bananas were not his thing. He could have won a projectile spitting contest getting that banana out of his mouth. And, today, after Arby's Roast Beef (5 for $5 - I discarded all the bread) and DQ, Bil-Jac liver treats were no longer acceptable :)

We went to the lake shore today (thanks Jan and Mike S.), which Marty really enjoyed. He waded around and seemed to really enjoy himself. He rolled around in the grass and peed on every bush. It was so hard to go into the vet's office tonight because, even with the bleeding gums and runny nose and gurgly breathing and sneezing, Marty was kind of perky - wanted to check everything out and leave his calling card as many places as possible. But, I guess he still had his dignity, right? Obviously, the question of whether it was too soon still burns in my mind - should we have waited a few more days, a week - how do we ever know? I just know that I never wanted Marty to suffer, and I hope he didn't.

It became very apparent to me that Marty belonged to a family with children. Every time he heard children, he sat still and listened, and when he saw them, he wanted to go with them. He even stopped what he was doing at the lake when he heard the school buses drive by. He practically pulled the leash out of my hand to go along with the little boy who walked by him at the vet's office. That just breaks my heart. Why, oh why, couldn't his family follow through with loving him until the very end..... I hope his last days were to his liking and he felt loved and cared for - he certainly was showered with love from the time Brenda picked him up until I helped him to the Bridge today....and I know he's been and will continue to be in our thoughts for a long time to come. Marty was a very special guy - he certainly created a huge paw print in my heart.

Michele