July 1983 —- Dec. 12 1998
Beagle
Brandy was just a tiny 8 week old black-blanket Beagle
pup when we first met. She was a little bundle of love who liked car rides
walks in the woods and cuddling with me under the covers.
She loved to give kisses and would sit pretty for her treats.
As she developed her voice she would always sing for us when we
came home. It did not matter if we were gone 5 hours or 5 minutes!
Coota (one of her pet names) was always such a lively
girl even when she became a geriatric doggie.
When she was 14 I came home one day and it looked as if she had a lot of gas
(her stomach was all blown up). Brandy was always a picky eater
not like most Beagles she was always trim.
A visit to the vet showed heart failure. I then took her to get an ultrasound
and that vet told me that my baby had a very large tumor on her aorta.
There was no way to operate. He drained the fluids out of her
and sent us home. With heart medications and home cooked
meals Brandy did well for about 9 months. During her illness Brandy lost
her voice she just could not get enough air in her lungs to sing to me.
It was awful. She was like a skeleton and had to wear coats in the
house in the winter because she could not keep herself warm.
By the middle of November 1998 the fluids were back in her stomach
and she was getting weaker. I called the vet to make that last
dreaded appointment. I know that Brandy was holding on just for me
but I had to let her go.
Her life was to a point were she could not enjoy any of the things
she used to. Except of course for the companionship we shared.
On December 12th 1998 (exactly one year from her ultrasound) I drove
Brandina to the vet. Dr. Littlefield knew that Brandy hated to go to the
vets so she suggested we do it in my car.
Brandy laid on the front passenger seat and I sat on the floor in front of
her and said good-bye and held her paw and tried like heck not to cry.
I wanted to be brave for her. When she was gone I sat in the back seat petting her
for the 45 minute ride to have her cremated.
An hour later I picked up her ashes. A few years before Brandy got sick I had
bought a Beagle stuffed animal and now tucked inside it are Brandy’s ashes.
I have a few tapes of my baby singing and I still play them
when I get real lonely for her.
Mommy loves you Brandy!
Who’s my good girl?
| Brandy |