It was a rainy, actually pouring rain, September 11,2007. I was on my way to pick up the love of my life- Oliver- at the airport in RI. I was so excited to have a pal that I could do things with--like hiking, and maybe kayaking! When I got home and saw him, I "Oh,no, what did I get myself into?"--Oliver stunk, he had hardly any fur, and he looked so lost and afraid. I immediately took him to the vets and was told he had mange, ringworm, a double ear infection, and much worse, wasn't socialized at all. For the next six months we got him healthy, physically and mentally. Soon we were out hiking with my neighbor and his new bishon frise Maggie. Oliver and Maggie were the best of friends and over the next 5 years hiked many miles through some of the most beautiful parts of the state--realizing now that it wasn't so bad having Phil knocking on my door at 5:30 am wanting to get an early start! We now have the best of memories-Dunkin Donuts coffee ready for us(because we were the earliest customers!) and peanut butter crackers for the doggies! Oliver is the love of my life, he never let me out of his sight, and likewise-if I could take him - I never left him home. I always told him we were like gum on each others shoes.
Of course, being a TT, Oliver could be verrry clever. During the course of his training, somehow he got me to give him the treat BEFORE he did what I wanted him to do... and it didn't start out that way!!!
Then on January 2, 2013 my world crumbled. Oliver was diagnosed with lymphoma..If I did nothing he would only have 4 to 6 weeks. I started him on chemotherapy, and by the second treatment he was in remission. He did well for the most part, but one of the meds made him a little sick.He was back to his old self again and between the months of February and mid June we were back to doing what we loved best- exploring new places. On his last chemo visit, the cancer came back. He had been in remission only 4 months. I then decided that I wanted Oliver at home, not being afraid every time we went down the street the vets was on, no more poking, blood work, and meds that made him feel tired. They put him on prednisone only.It's now been about 3 weeks, and Oliver is in the final stage of the disease. I see him getting more tired every day, and he may only have about a week. I'm sick. I've been crying since January, watching my love slowly dying before my eyes. I'm so heartbroken, and I think- "how will I go on without him?" And how will he go on without me? I know when the time comes I will do what is right for him, but at the same time I don't want to lose him. How can I go to "our places" and not cry? I've been grieving, but especially dread the next week. Thank you