Lady Flame's last day

Our beloved Lady Flame had been limping for a couple of months and her left foreleg was not improving. Drew took her in for two different sets of xrays and in the second extensive set, the dreaded osteosarcoma tumor was found. We debated back and forth knowing that Flame's days on Earth were numbered. There were so many factors to consider, and ultimately we chose to take her to the vet sooner than later to end her suffering. Drew took photos on what was to become her last day.

Flame was happy that she did not have to get her teeth brushed or her ears washed on her last day. 

Drew partially cooked a carrot for her to munch on (and later she got to snack on broccoli, yummm...)

Flame loved her daily carrot. She would snatch it out of Drew's hand and run into the backyard to munch in private.

Toby gets to eat crunchy carrots and also loves this daily ritual.

He is so laid back that he can eat his carrot with no fear.

Halfway through the day, Lady Flame's half-sibs came over for their last play date together.

Before the play date could begin, Lady Flame had to get some lovin' from Billy and Shannon.

Because it was so hot outdoors, Flame and Sugaree immediately headed to the sand for some relaxation. All the dogs are rather geriatric (with the exception of Toby), so they don't do much running around anymore. Oh, how we love these two girls!

Trouble and Sugaree had come straight to our house from the kennel (after a vacation) and they still had kennel smell. Trouble got to chillax in the pool while Billy washed him off.

Trouble then got to dry off and hang with his best human buddy, Drew.

After the half-sibs left for home, we got the call to take Lady Flame in to the vet. Before arriving at the clinic, Drew took Lady Flame on a walk at Riverside Park. He let her lead the way. It was her last sniff, mark, and poop walk and he let her set the pace and the time. Once we were in the exam room, Dr. John treated Lady Flame to the best last meal ever. He gave her pieces of Pup-Peroni (something that Drew and I would never feed a dog). Flame was one happy camper. She chowed down on three sticks of Pup-Peroni before dropping into a calm and relaxed state.

Then, something very special happened. As the sedative was pulsing through Flame's body, all the dogs that were kenneled at the vet office began to howl in unison. And, they howled continuously until Lady Flame drew her last breath, and then all was silent. It is my firm belief that they knew she was dying and they all helped her cross over the Rainbow Bridge to be with her buddies like Skyy, Blue, Cola, Vinnie, and hopefully Girlie Girl and Kasha too. Whoo...I am weeping as I write this. We miss our pretty little girl sooo much....

 Sweet dreams, Flamer...Romp, roll, bark loud, and play hard...