Straydog UPDATE posted THURSDAY 4/3/03 at ~9:47 p.m. CT

Pat Arnold's Daily Dog Log

THURSDAY APRIL 3 2003

Snowflake in her kitchen kennel shortly after she was rescued by Billy Lawson in the median of Highway 175 between Dallas and Athens, Texas in November 2001, when Billy was coming to volunteer to drive the dog van full of dogs to our Saturday Adoption Day in Dallas. Billy picked up Snowy, who was running in circles in the median, and we, of course, took her when Billy arrived. A week or so later Snowflake was diagnosed as being terminally ill with kidney disease, but instead of dying within a few weeks, she went on to live a very happy existence for over 16 months.

Snowflake "truckin'" across the park a few weeks after she was supposed to die.

This photo was taken in late May 2002. Snowflake had already outlived her diagnosis by five months.

 

Snowflake just loved her last outing of the day just before sundown in the springtime.

 

And Snowy loved facing the breeze (or wind) letting it blow her ears back.

Goodbye Snowy

      Snowflake came to us a year and four months ago, a very old dog then, nearly blind and deaf and very sickly. With the help of several doctors we gradually brought her back to good health, and for the past 16 months, other than a few bouts of illnesses, she has enjoyed a very happy and healthy life as an extremely pampered house pet.

      Over the past few days I've known in my heart that the time was coming for us to help this precious, beautiful, little old dog go to Rainbow Bridge where she will be at peace in doggie heaven.

      It was about 7:00 p.m. last evening when I took Snowflake outside into the beautiful evening for her last potty break of the day. I carried Snowy to the big play yard and set her down on the grass, helped her gain her balance while straightening her stiff little back legs so she could stand and walk. Snow took a few steps, she went potty, and then she flopped back down in a sitting position because her little legs just weren't strong enough to support her more than those few moments. Perhaps the wind had helped to topple her.

      But Snowflake was happy. She enjoyed sniffing the warm evening breezes as she sat facing the wind, her cute floppy ears were blown straight back, and there was a smile on her furry face. She's always loved windy weather.

      I knew she was happy, even tho old age along with severe arthritis and complete loss of appetite (due to internal problems) had finally taken their toll on this little old dog. She had become very, very weak over the past few weeks.

Snowy goes peacefully to sleep for forever

      After Snowflake's restless night last night I called our vet first thing this morning, and he agreed that it was time to bring Snowy in.

      To make the beginning of this journey for Snowflake a very gentle, peaceful one I gave her a mild sedative before we got into the van. This precious part of my life slept soundly in my lap, snuggled in her favorite soft pink baby blanket, as I drove to the clinic. She was still soundly sleeping while I petted her as the doctor helped her go peacefully to sleep for forever.

      Snowy is now at Rainbow Bridge. I can picture her strong and whole again as she frolicks in the tall green grass pointing her little nose into the gentle warm breezes that she loves so much. Her stiff little legs are now free from pain and she's probably chasing Danny Boy and Old Davey all over the place.

      Goodbye, Snowy, we will love you always.