Ernie

5/11/06:

Dear Friends,

This morning we had to have Ernie put to sleep. Ernie came to me through Gold Ribbon Rescue in 1998. He was two years old then and one of the first GRR dogs. He was my first dog, and I couldn't have asked for a better one. Everyone that met him loved him. He had so much energy, always ready to go for a walk. Not just a walk, but he would do 5-6 miles around Town Lake, a few times a week.
Ernie would greet you by sitting on his back two legs and put his front two up in the air for you to rub his chest, shake his paws (or do high five) and say hello. At the vet office (Century) he would put he two front paws up on their counter to say hi to Lisa (though I think he was also looking for the cat too).

Three and a half years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer on his skull. He was given three weeks to three months maximum, to live. Earlier this week, we went back to the vet for a check up and his cancer had spread to his back leg joint. Dr. Van Brunt made the assessment that this would probably be what gets him, is not being able to walk on his back foot. He was always happy, and never whimpered about anything. Last night between his eyes, the soft spot there had ruptured a little bit, and fluid was draining. It was this cancer spot that finally led us to make the decision to have him put to sleep. He probably could have lived a few more days or even a week or so, but I didn't want to see him deteriorating to the point that he couldn't enjoy his action filled life. He wouldn't have wanted that either.

With Todd, Stella and I by his side, along with the wonderful staff at Century, we all said our good byes to Ernie and he went very relaxed and peacefully. Hopefully we can all go that way, when it is our time.

I ask that when you think of a charity to make a donation, you consider Gold Ribbon Rescue. Without our all volunteer rescue group, Ernie wouldn't have found his way into our home.

With love,

Tim & Todd
(along with Bert & Sebastian)
 

View Pictures Here