You'll Know When It's Time

Kaya (left) and Maddie (right) a few years back

You'll know when it is time. Really? I'll know?

That's what the gal at the vet said the last time I was in there last fall when I asked when it will be time to bring our dog back in... for the last time.

We've had Kaya, our black lab mix, since spring of 2009. Our son had brought her home from college one weekend because a friend at school had been fostering Kaya (her name was Maggie then) but, she had to go out of town. She asked Michael if he could take care of her that weekend.

So, he brought her home from college to spend a weekend with us.

Lucy

A couple of years earlier, we had said goodbye to Lucy, the dog that both our kids had grown up with. The way we loved that dog caused one of Jessica's friends to say, "the Toomeys are obsessed with their dog." She was right. But, after Lucy got sick and had to be put to sleep, I said, "no more... no more dogs. I can't go through this again."

But, we love dogs. And we immediately fell in love with Kaya that weekend... this rambunctious puppy that was only a few months old. She was available for adoption so, we made her part of the family.

I could write 10 more blogs about our experiences with Kaya but, I will spare you. For now.

Dogs of Kaya's size and breed don't usually live to be this old. Lucy, a shepherd mix, died at around 12 and had been sick for a while prior to that.

In July 2022, I had to take Maddie to the vet because her back end had given out and she was in obvious pain. We had adopted Maddie not too long after we adopted Kaya so that Kaya could have a companion. That was a hard day at the vet. I cried all the way home and then some.

But now I have to make a decision about Kaya. She just had her 15th birthday. I won't get into her current health issues but, our vet agrees that surgical intervention for the most obvious issue (there is more than one) is probably unwise given her age and her likely diagnosis. Let her enjoy her remaining time, he suggested.

So, how will I know that it is time? I wish dogs could verbally communicate. I could ask her if she was in pain. Maybe she could tell me that she is ready to go.

Michael & family are coming here this weekend. It's going to be his opportunity to say goodbye to this sweet girl that he brought home to us and has been a part of our lives for almost 15 years.

I'm going to call the vet next week. Putting this off is selfish on my part because I just don't want to say goodbye... again.

I know it's time.