RIP "Stinky" Zekey

Today my parents had to put their 11 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Zeke, to sleep. We got him when I was 13 years old, and he affectionately became known to me as "Stinky Zekey" because he always smelled like a dog that gotten into something bad and rolled in it.

Zeke lived a happy life running around my parents 60 acres, swimming in the ponds, laying in the sunshine on the front porch and being my dad's best bud.

Over the last year, Zeke had progressively gotten worse. He started coughing on a regular basis, and while the vet said he had some fluid in his lungs, it wasn't enough to worry about. Over the last two weeks Zeke had begun to fall down while just walking, lose control over his bladder and proceed to have a small seizure. He had seizures once in a while when he was younger as well. In the last few days my dad noticed Zeke had stopped having "movements" all together and that his abdomen was very abnormal looking and feeling. At the vet appointment this morning the X-ray revealed that Zeke not only had fluid in his lungs and abdomen, but also an enlarged heart and a tumor on his spleen. Even though it was difficult, my dad made the right decision.

I wish I hadn't gotten the news while I was at work, because I've shut myself into a small, private conference room so I can let the tears flow and not have my co-workers in my business. I know it will pass with time, but it doesn't make it any easier.

All I know is that when I get home, I'm going to hug my two young, healthy pooches!

(I'd post a picture of Zeke but I don't have any on Shutterfly and I still haven't gotten all of my picture off my old computer yet)