A Tribute to Miniature Schnauzer Annie
by Sarah
(Florida)
my last night with Annie
I have had the joy of knowing my Annie for 12 and a half years. She was such an amazing girl. She never wanted to disappoint me and never had an accident no matter how long she had to wait. I could kiss on her tummy and make her smile. It was so amazing to see her mouth move into a smile!
When she was 4 years old she began to have petit mal seizures that would only last for about 30 seconds. She would seek me out and I would scoop her up and hold her while she stared back at me. We had quite and amazing bond. I could pick her up and she would look at me for a few minutes and never break her gaze. I could just see the love in her eyes!
On August 11, 2010 I got home from work to find her laying at the door having a grand mal seizure. As I began to cry and pick her up, she urinated on herself. I just held her until it was over. Afterwards she was back to her usual happy and loving self. Something in me just wanted to take pictures of her. I grabbed my camera and took a multitude of photos with her. God knew why. I fed her a wonderful meal of ground meat followed by a treat. We then layed on the couch and she buried herself under the cover as she always did. I layed down right next to her for hours. We went to bed as usual that night. I tucked her in right beside me.
At 6:46 A.M. August 12,2010 she woke me up with unusual breathing. I began to freak. I called my mom crying and she told me it sounded as though she was dying. I called the vets office waiting to see if I could rush her in. I took Annie outside so she could use the bathroom. After she finished urinating, she collapsed on the grass. I picked her up and laid her on my bed. Vet's office still had no answer. I laid with her and sang "You are my sunshine". Finally I got through to the vet and rushed my Annie in.
When I got there the vet listened to her heart and informed me all she could do was hear fluid and needed to be given meds immediately. I gave my baby a kiss and watched as she tried to get out the vets arms and back into mine. I will never forget her face as she was squirming to be with me. If I any indication of the events that would follow, I would have gone back and never let her out of my sight.
I stayed in town for hours waiting to hear something. I finally went home after the vet informed me she had gotten a chest x-ray and was trying to reduce the edema in her lungs. At 11:45 the vet called and said she had not changed but they had given her lasik and heart medication to get her breathing under control. At 1:55 pm the vet called back to say she passed away on them. I fell to the ground screaming and crying. I had just lost my heart and best friend and I was not there with her as she died.
Once I got to the vet I asked why I had not been notified of her deterioration. The vet told me she did not think I would want to have seen her that way. I advised her I would have been there for her no matter what because Annie was my world and I loved her so much. My angel died wondering her momma was and why I was not there. The vet brought my girl wrapped in a white towel and laid her on the table. I picked my baby up for the last time and held her while in shock that she didn't look at me like she always did. I took her home and laid her in the ground under a beautiful tree where I talk to her daily.
I have never known a better, more loving, or beautiful dog in my life and I am forever changed for knowing her. Annie passed 08/12/10 at 1:54 pm. from heart failure and I cry constantly for her.
