Yo-Yo

Yoda - September 2007

Dottie & Yoda - September 2007

Well, the last two weeks have been tough. In early November, I noticed that my little Yoda was drinking lots and lots of water and then he began having problems holding his bladder.

We took a trip to see his vet, Dr. Carol Ryan, and unfortunately, Yoda was diagnosed with Diabetes. This meant that I had to start giving him daily shots of insulin - now if you know Yoda, you know that was not an easy task.

Yoda began feeling better but I was afraid to leave him alone and was sure that no one else would be able to give him his shots. This meant that he had to go on a trip with me. We traveled down South and spent several days on the beach. Yoda loved it and he seemed to be bouncing back and feeling better. He regained his appetite and was even able to go on walks. He also like laying out in the sun with me (make sure you get to see the pictures at the bottom)! In Mississippi - one of many potty stops! He loved the sand.... I think he is like his momma and liked the feel of it between his toes!

Just hangin' out on the deck, listening to the sounds of the sea! When we got back he did okay for a few days but when we went for a follow up visit to Dr. Ryan, he had lost another pound. That's a lot for a dog that only weighs 7 pounds to begin with. Week after week, I could see my little buddy fading - he kept dropping weight, couldn't control his bladder, drank so much water it made him sick, began having seizures and on December 17, I knew it was time. I couldn't hang on to him any longer. He could hardly hold his head up and was mostly sleeping alot.

That morning, Yoda slept peacefully with me - he was wrapped up in his favorite red blankie with his sweater on and he even let mommy have some kisses and cuddles.

I took him in to Dr. Ryan and she gave him a shot to relax him and I was able to spend several minutes just loving and kissing him and telling him I would miss him. Dr. Ryan then gave him the final shot he would ever have to have.

Needless to say, my heart is broken. Yoda was my buddy, my baby, my best friend, my companion. I got him from Homeward Bound Humane Society when I first moved to Wentzville eight years ago. Since that time he has been by my side....or on top of me or under my shirt or...just anywhere near me. He was like an appendage! Making the decision to end his life was the toughest thing I have ever had to do. I kept praying that he would just go to sleep and not wake up and I wouldn't have to do it. But that morning I knew I couldn't let him suffer anymore.

Every time I walk into the house, I cry - it seems so weird not having him there to greet me. No matter what happened that day, Yoda was always there - sometimes, actually many times, he left a surprise for me in his kennel - he just never really did get the hang of being"kennel trained" but regardless, he was always there and happy to see me. Every night at bed time, Yoda practically beat me to the bed.... he loved to cuddle under the blankets and he snored like a person. I'm having a bit of a hard time sleeping without his warm little belly up against me.

Like I said, my heart is broken. I miss him terribly and somtimes think... I wish I could bring him back. That would be selfish though..... I think he hung on as long as he did for me. Hoping that I would be able to let him go.

Leaving you with pictures that bring back so many wonderful memories of our time together.

Hogging all the covers.

On Momma's lap in the recliner - watchin' a little TV.

Begging me to pick him up - spoiled!

Yoda and Smokey - May 2008 - keeping watch over their little Brookie. Or ticked that she is in their bed! :)

Whenever we would go to my grandma's house, Yoda always sat in her recliner with her. This picture makes me think he is saying "Momma! Where did this kid come from and why is she on my Gramma's lap??" This would have been taken in June or July 2008.

I love this picture! It was taken in May 2008 - he looks so healthy, hard to believe that just 6 months later he would be gone. :(

Tuesday, December 16 - the night before he died. Yoda was tired but he seemed to have a little more energy. I was able to get this picture of him with his Christmas bear and sweater on. You can see in his eyes that he is very tired.

Resting peacefully all cuddled in his red blankie - this is just hours before I took him in to Dr. Ryan.

This is the casket that I made for him - I took him home to East Alton where he was buried in my mom and dad's back yard with my other chihuahua named Bearsy. I imagine they are running and playing in heaven together.

"Time and tide wait for no one."