Belle on Sunday 10/14/01

Belle on Monday 10/15/01

Belle on Wednesday, 10/17/01

Belle in her younger years

While I was at work on Wednesday, Oct 10 2001, Bill bought Belle to the vet for an ultrasound and X-Ray of her thigh .....she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in the left thigh bone.

Saturday October 13, 2001
Belle is not getting any better, and none of the pain meds seem to be helping her. The left leg is swollen and she is unable to use it at all. We now have her on Torbugesic( Butorphanol Tartrate,Torbutrol, Torbugesic) for pain management, and we will be having a consult with Colorado State University Teaching school, who are touted to be the top Canine Oncologists in the country, next week.

October 15th, 2001
Belle spent the better part of this afternoon whining quietly....right now, we
opened the Hide a Bed sofa so she can sleep comfortably downstairs, since
she cannot climb the stairs.

The final chapter to Belle's this story is this....

October 17th, 2001
Belle's cancer spread very quickly, and by early in the week we knew it was
in her lymphatic system, as well as lungs....she did not sleep either Monday
or Tuesday night, and despite large doses of Torbugesic (a pain killer
stronger than morphine) she cried for two days with little respite....by
yesterday afternoon it was apparent that Amputation was out of the question,
both due to arthritis in her right hip, and the appearance of metastasis.
CSU's outlook wasn't too bright during our consult and the agreement was,
she should not have to tolerate pain of such intensity.....her eyes were
pleading for relief, it was so painful to watch.

Today we brought her to her favorite vet, with her toys and her best bed, and
prepared to say goodbye. Belle went to sleep very quickly, as if it was huge
burden lifted....

October 18th, 2001
For Bill and I this is going to be a long sad time....we feel as if we've
lost a child...since we HAVE lost children, we know how painful that is, and
this is close. I keep hearing her collar jingle, and looking at her bed
waiting for her to appear.. I want my baby back, but I know it cannot be
so.....sleep well and in peace dear Belle, and wait for us at the bridge
please?

Sleep Well our beloved Belle,
until we meet at the bridge once more...
We Love You,
dad and mom

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is still
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone, wherever it goes for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

-Rudyard Kipling (paraphrased)