We said Goodbye to Brockley..

lsr2002

17 years ago

I haven't been posting much lately. I've reading almost every day but trying to help Brockley and dealing with some scary health problems of my own, I just haven't felt like posting.

We had been battling a cough he had almost all year - three kinds of antibiotics, Kennel cough was ruled out, and never a firm dx. One set of xrays would be clear the next cloudy and the following one clear (of his lungs). Then he had a torn ACL and was doing swim therapy and got much stronger and the humidity seemed to help his cough. Each week his physical therapist (a really interesting registered PT who works three days a week with people and two days a week with dogs) would watch him walk and check his spine for straightness to access the improvement in his ACL before he ran up the ramp into the pool. Last week we noticed a lump on his hip that didn't just seem to be bad spinal alignment from favoring one knee. We did more xrays and a large tumor showed up at the top of his femur with mets to the lungs.

At the recommendation of our vet we took him to the oncology clinic at the University Vet Hospital in Fort Collins on Wednesday of this week. They reviewed the xrays and told us that he had two types of very aggressive tumors and one was not treatable. We were given meds to keep him comfortable. Although he was playing with other dogs at the clinic we could see he was tiring out. The afternoon we brought him home he became really lethargic. In the morning we knew he was not going to make it - wouldn't eat or drink, just barely lifted his head when our son came to say goodbye. We took him back to the University hospital yesterday and he died peacefully in both of our arms.

The hole in our hearts and our home is immense, but we know we did everything we could for him. We loved each other well for the short nine years we had him, but we will miss him forever.

Lee

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Comments (49)

lakeguy35
17 years ago
Lee, I'm so sorry to be reading this tonight. I know what you and Max must be going through at this time. He sure was a good looking boy...I seem to remember a cool toy he received in a swap many years ago..maybe from Weed...I could be wrong on that one...my memory isn't the best. Hugs to you and your family...

David
lindac
17 years ago
I am so sorry.....
I never met him and I miss him.
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mitchdesj
17 years ago
oh no, this is so sad, I remember Brockley, he is so cute.
All my sympathy to you in dealing with this loss.
maggie2094
17 years ago
I'm so sorry! What a handsome boy. Please take care of yourself. You okay?
compumom
17 years ago
Such a pity, he was a beautiful boy. My heart goes out to you both, I know that this shock is never easy. We lost our dear standard poodle, Chloe, at age 8, she was a wonderful pet too.
Hugs to you & Max,
Ellen
mustangs81
17 years ago
I am really saddened to hear about Brockley, I know what he meant to you and Max. You were so diligent in making his special meals and you certainly did all you could to make him comfortable in his last days.

David's Smokey should be over the bridge and through orientation so I'm sure he will give special attention to Brockley.

(((Cathy)))
caliloo
17 years ago
I am so sorry to hear about Brockley, hugs to you and Max.

Alexa
wizardnm
17 years ago
Lee, I'm very sorry to hear about Brockley. My best to you and Max. I feel your loss.

Nancy
stacy3
17 years ago
oh my gosh Lee, I'm shocked and my heart is breaking...I know how much you and Max loved Brockley...

Stacy
pkramer60
17 years ago
A warm comforting hug to both you and Max on this loss. Somehow I think he was just waiting for the diagnosis to be given to you so he could cross.

He certainly was a gorgeous boy.

Peppi
triciae
17 years ago
Oh, I'm so very sorry to learn of Brockley. They are such a part of us...giving so much unconditional love & expecting so little in return. Brockley had a wonderful life full of love & caring. I'm sure my Blackjack has already ran to greet Brockley along with all of our Forum pets that have passed over the bridge.

Take care of yourselves.

I must have missed the post about David's Smokey...I'll go look.

/tricia
User
17 years ago
Lee you know that my thoughts are with you and Max.

Ann
teresa_nc7
17 years ago
Lee, I'm so sorry to hear that Brockley is gone. I know you both gave him the best love and care right up until the end. He had a good doggie life I am sure.

(((Hugs)))
Teresa
Bizzo
17 years ago
((((Lee))))
User
17 years ago
Oh Lee I am so sorry to hear about Brockley's passing. Such a beautiful guy and I know how much you loved him. My thoughts are with you. Also will send my prayers that you are doing OK and whatever your health problems are are soon behind you.
canarybird01
17 years ago
Lee I'm so sorry to hear you've lost your dear Brockley.

Sending my condolences to you and Max.

SharonCb
Terri_PacNW
17 years ago
I'm sorry Lee.
obxgina
17 years ago
Oh Lee he is such a beautiful boy! My heart goes out to you, I'm so very sorry for your loss! Gina
dedtired
17 years ago
What a pretty puppy. I am so sorry for you, it must be hard.
jessyf
17 years ago
(((hugs)))
gbsim1
17 years ago
Brockley had some kind and sparkly eyes! I'm sorry for you loss of such a special friend.

Grace
shaun
17 years ago
Lee I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes.... I feel awful for you and Max. Brockley was a beautiful boy... I'm just so sorry.
lackboys3
17 years ago
Hugs to you Lee, and Max too. May you find some peace and comfort knowing your sweet Brockley is no longer hurting. Handsome boy he was also. (((Lee and Max)))
DONNA
Lars
17 years ago
I wish I could hug you in person. Take care of yourself and Max - it's terrible that you are already not feeling well at this time. You are in my thoughts.

Lars
KatieC
17 years ago
I'm sorry, Lee. I remember Brockley, too....love his name. I hope all is well with you. Lots of good positive healthy thoughts....
centralcacyclist
17 years ago
I'm so sorry. Brockley was a wonderful fella. Hugs to you.
riverrat1
17 years ago
Lee and Max, you know that my thoughts are with you. I'm so sorry.

Karen
lsr2002
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for your kind thoughts for all of us. So many of us have lost dear pets and we have all grieved together for them.

Brockley never met a person or an animal he didn't want to be friends with - we were amused when he wanted to follow a horse home at about 4 months, and he was far smaller than the horse's head, and we were frightened when we locked ourselves out of our house with him on a leash about three years ago and were standing in our driveway when Brock started straining on the lead to run across the street to make friends with a several hundred pound yearling bear. He was gentle with smaller animals, liked cats, and always knew that cats ruled. I hope he has met and is romping with those who went before him.

Thank you for your understanding and sympathy.

I am also asking you to keep me in your thoughts on Tuesday when I am having very serious medical tests done to determine a course of treatment.

Lee
dlynn2
17 years ago
I wish you would have called so I could have gone to the vet school to give you a real hug. I've been to our vet school many times with our pets, in fact, one of my cats was diganosed with lymphoma there the day they opened the oncology center -- we were the first to use the exam room there. I'm sure she was at the bridge greeting Brockley.

I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday.
bri29
17 years ago
Lee, I'm so sorry about Brockley. All the best to you in the coming weeks and especially on Tuesday.
compumom
17 years ago
Lee, you'll be in my thoughts Tuesday, thinking positively for the best possible outcome. Let us know how you're doing.
Hugs again,
Ellen
pkguy
17 years ago
Oh no,not again. I'm so sorry. He really is a beauty and it's so rare to see black poodles.
annie1992
17 years ago
Lee, I'm so sorry to hear about Brockley, I'm glad you were with him when his time came.

Hugs to you and Max, and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers on Tuesday.

Annie
hiltonc
17 years ago
Lee, I'm saddened for yours and Max's loss. I love the picture you posted of Brockley. ... such a handsome and gentle fellow.

You'll be in my thoughts on Tuesday.
jain
17 years ago
lee i am so very sad about your loss of brockley, i know how much he meant to you both. i will keep good thoughts on your tests this week too. i am so very sorry you are dealing with so much at one time.
debbie814
17 years ago
Lee and Max, I'm so sorry about Brockley. Will keep you in my prayers on Tuesday.
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
17 years ago
Lee, I am so sorry to hear about Brockley! My heart goes out to you and Max.

Sending you positive thoughts! You're in my thoughts and prayers!
readinglady
17 years ago
So many furry friends gone this year. I know you gave Brockley the best care possible and all the love wished for.

I am sorry for your loss.

Carol
kent4489
17 years ago
Lee,
This is such sad news to read first thing this morning. I know you and Max loved Brockley so much and this is heartbreaking. I'm so very sorry.
I'll also keep positive thoughts for you on Tues. Hoping all goes well for you. Hugs to you.
Jayne
sally2_gw
17 years ago
Lee, my heart goes out to you. Brockley was such a cutey, and looks like he was well loved. I'm so sorry.

I'll be thinking of you Tuesday as well.

Sally
doucanoe
17 years ago
Lee, so sorry to hear that you lost your beloved Brockley. He was a handsome devil, that's for sure!

Take care and feel the hugs coming your way.

Linda
jessyf
17 years ago
I'll be pulling for you tomorrow, Lee.
readinglady
17 years ago
I hope tomorrow goes well for you, Lee. I know the waiting is hard.

Carol
lsr2002
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks again to all of you - it means so much to have such a wonderful circle of friends.

We are leaving early for my 6:30 appointment. It's snowing and even though we we only live a couple of miles from the hospital the drive could be slow and slippery. I don't know when I'll be able to post, but I will as soon as I can.

Lee
Gina_W
17 years ago
I'm so sorry about Brockley, Lee. And my thoughts are with you for tomorrow.
dlynn2
17 years ago
My thoughts are with you tonight and you'll be on my mind all day tomorrow.
brenda55
17 years ago
Lee,

You are in my thoughts and prayers today.

I am also sorry for the loss of Brockley....I loved his name way before I saw his picture and it was a wonderful fit.

brenda
woodie
17 years ago
Lee, I am so saddened to hear about your beautiful Brockley, deepest sympathy.

I just read this today while you are undergoing some tests and hope that you will come through easily.
ghoghunter
17 years ago
I'm so sorry about your loss of your beloved pet. My heart goes out to you.
Joann

We said Goodbye to Brockley..

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