Eileen

It's been 11 days since Eileen went to the bridge. 11 days waking up without her in our bed and 11 nights of her not being here during the rowdiest part of our days. She was sick and we knew that, but nothing made August 11th any easier for us.  Mike took her to the vet to get her glucose levels checked that morning as she had been seizing off and on throughout the week.  I convinced myself that she was fine, this was just part of the diagnosis and we would re-configure her feeding and meds.

An hour after eating her breakfast, Eileen's glucose was at 40.  A normal-low range is 80-100 so the vet gave her a Nutracal to boost her levels. She was only able to hit a 60 and was back down to a 40 within an hour.  Mike got the call from the vet and although it nearly killed him, he knew it was her time.  He called me at work and both of us just sat on the phone and cried. We agreed that it was time to help her along.  We both left work and went to the vet office. 

Of course we took a bunch of her favorite duck jerky strips and she loved them. It was a very hard experience, but we've had so many supportive friends and family members to help us through.  We asked the clinic about having her body or at least her pancreas donated to research, but the lab at Texas A&M is too far of a drive; she was creamated. 

She was a very special friend and even the staff at the vet office had a hard time with her passing.  They sent a really nice sympathy card and everyone wrote special notes about our girl. 

We miss Eileen deeply. Life around here isn't the same without our "Fat Girl". I wanted to share her nicknames:

Fat Girl
Mama Bear
Senorita Eileen
Leaner Beaner
Lean Butt, Bean Butt
Leannie Lou
Sister
Heavy Breather
Pretty Lady

Adoption Day! April 4, 2009

doing what she did best, hold down the couch

our first family picture

watchin' CatTV

The Easter Boxer

always the little mother hen

Daddy's favorite couch potato

drama queen

always looking out for Little Brother

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...