RIP My Rocko Boy: 3/12/05-4/22/09
Today is one of the saddest days of our lives. We had a great dog~actually, the best dog in the whole world (no offense to Copper, our puppy). He was so laid back, loved to snuggle, listened to commands and even stayed in our yard without a fence! I even remember one time about a year ago that I was so upset about something and crying uncontrollably and he followed me into my bedroom, picked up his ball and proceeded to try and get me to play with him. I think he thought it would make me feel better....which it did-it brought a smile to my face.
On Sat. when Scot went to work, Rocky came in to sleep under the covers with me like he always did. Unfortunately he started to vomit-everywhere on the bed! An hour later he threw up again and I called the vet. "Just like a kid," I said. "Has to get sick on a weekend." The checked him out, figured it was a 'parasite', gave him some fluids, an anti-nausea shot and sent us on our way.
We were good for the day, thanks to the shot. Around 6:30 the vomit started to fly, literally. Six puke fests later I was on my way to the Vet Hospital in Toledo with the poor guy. They were really busy!!! 90 minutes later we are leaving with more fluids, another shot and some medicine. They wanted to do x-rays then, but due to finances (you have to pay up front) we had enough for the x-ray, but then wouldn't have enough to treat him.
On Sun. he woke up and vomited three times in 30 min. I gave him some chicken/rice combination that the vet recommeded and 10, 2, and 6pm. Worked great!!! If you ever have a vomiting dog, I highly recommend it. No more vomit for 2 days!! Of course I had Mon. off so it was a great day! I should've known better.
On Tues. morning around 1am he started up again. All night long I had to clean him, and the bed, and the carpets up. We saw the Doc around 9am and they did an x-ray. She thought he had eaten what looked like a plastic baggie and it was preventing any food/liquid from passing through the stomach into the intestine. They kept him and did a Barium treatment. This is when the dog drinks a white liquid and the take a bunch of x-rays throughout the day and the liquid is highlighted in his body, to see where it goes.
I picked him up at 7:30pm. They decided they needed to do surgery this morning on his stomach to remove whatever is blocking.
I brought my baby back at 9am. Went to work. At 10:40am the Doc calls: "Bad news-he has pancreatic cancer. That's the blockage." She recommended we put him down because it is a fast moving cancer and he would suffer. VERY UNEXPECTED!!!
The worst part was telling my kids. I had to go to 3 different schools and break the news. My older 2 seemed to be ok and opted not to go but requested he be creamated so we can keep his ashes. I found out later that they were a mess the rest of the afternoon.
Kole and Scotie came and said good-bye. It is very difficult to explain to a six year old what is going on to a dog and what it means to put him to sleep and creamate him. I still don't think he understands.
Rocko was like another kid to me. This was the hardest thing I ever had to do and I have been thru some pretty tough stuff! My whole family will miss him terrible forever and will never forget him ever!
As you can see, by the pictures, Kyle and Kurt decided to make this promise. I was so proud and the tears came easily, of course.
And yes, even I purchased a ring, too. This way I have a daily reminder to pray for purity for ALL my boys!!
