Coming Up On 2 Years

2 years ago, on March 31st, I lost my beloved dog "Sheltie". At 16 years of age, she had been perfectly healthy, except for arthritis in her hips. She had been on the canine arthritis medication Rimadyl, and she tolerated it well. We took her often to have her liver function checked, as the medication could be damaging to her liver. In mid to late February, she started to lose her hearing, and began having panic attacks, to the point where she would shake, whimper and salivate. Our vet recommended an anti-anxiety drug for her. We started her on Clomicalm, which really seemed to help her. Not too long after she started on the Clomicalm, she began vomiting. We became concerned when she couldn't seem to stop. What had happened was that the two medications were affecting her liver. She was nauseated, dehydrated, and jaundiced. She started the vomiting on Monday. By Saturday, she was gone. In between those days, she spent time at the emergency vet clinic, where they gave her iv fluids and something for her nausea. By Friday, she was completely worn down. Steve and I had to make that most difficult decision...which was to let her go. Saturday morning, before she left us, she stood out in our front yard, in the March sunshine. The wind was blowing, which she loved. She turned her little Sheltie face into the wind, and closed her eyes...she knew. She left us gently that day. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her and miss her. My sweet Sheltie girl. She and I had 10 wonderful years together, and she was the best dog that anyone could ever hope for.