My heart is gone - farewell to Drez
It is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you that my baby girl, Dresdan, aka Drezzie or Drez, crossed over the rainbow bridge this afternoon.  She was 14 years and 9 months old. We rescued her at 2 years, 4 months old, so she was with us for 12 1/2 years. I could turn a blind eye to her situation no longer. The quality of her life was gone. Where she once was able to get to a standing position as long as she was on a rug, she now could no longer do that. She would still try, bless her heart, but once “standing” her back paws would be on the knuckles and she couldn’t “right” them, so she would fall. If she had been lying in the same position for too long, when we would pick her up she would immediately fall again. She had absolutely no strength in her back and hips any more, and I suspect she also had no or very limited feeling.
She had been incontinent for quite awhile, too. Thank God for Depends because they saved a LOT of cleaning up of messes on the floors, but then the clean up was centered on her. She never fought our putting the diapers on her, thankfully. And her hearing was 95% gone. She couldn’t hear when we came in the house any more; many times we would find her still sound asleep, oblivious to our entry. Unless you were very near her and yelling, she couldn’t hear you. Even knowing all of the above, I still wasn’t ready to let her go. Her appetite NEVER waned. I was deluding myself to believe that as long as she was still hungry, she couldn’t be THAT bad. Looking back, I now see how selfish I was in that thinking. Food was the only pleasure she had left in her life, and she sure did enjoy that until the end. The thing that forced me to realize it was time was when we ran out of her pain medicine. She had been on Metacam and Robaxin daily for over 3 years. When buying both together, it cost us about $140, and they lasted about 6 weeks. So I had to think hard – were the meds REALLY helping her; did I want to buy another supply of medicine and keep her with me selfishly, even though she would never be good again, or was I finally able to say – enough is enough. Let her suffering stop and let her go. I phoned the vet on Tuesday. They could have gotten us in that afternoon but at a time when I couldn’t get there from work. And I HAD to be there – no question. So we decided on Thursday afternoon. In hindsight, even though I had to look at those beautiful eyes for 2 additional nights knowing what I knew, it was the right decision. I got to say good-bye to her a little longer, held her a little longer. And I had time to really watch her objectively to make sure it was the right decision. Dale was also there with her, as much as he really didn’t want to be. Drez was always a Daddy’s girl, so this was especially hard on him. Even though Sarah is now home from school, she just couldn’t bring herself to go, and she felt so torn about it. Said she felt like she was letting Drez down, but she just couldn’t go. I told her not to worry – Drez knew how much Sarah loved her and would understand. (I think she still has visions of being there when we put Buford down when Sarah was 8 years old. Not fully understanding what it meant when we said Buford was going to sleep, she cried, “Buford, wake up! Wake up, Buford!” Broke my heart into another million pieces.) Spencer is very sad, but since he hasn’t lived at home for 4 years, he hasn’t seen her full decline except in bits and pieces in his visits home. He still remembers the “old” Drez, which is better for him. To him, she’ll always be “his good girl.” Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and opinions in my previous post. They also helped me to look at things more realistically, helped me get to this point. Good-bye, my beautiful Drezzie girl. Give my love and a big kiss to Buford and wait for me at the bridge. Mommy. Daddy, Spencer and Sarah will love you forever. |
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We are so sorry for your loss. It is just so hard to let them go........
Laurie and Oscar |
| Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry!!! Even more sorry you had to make this hard decision and then that you no longer have Drez there with you. I hope she is resting well now and is happy she was loved all these years by you!
Big hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  |
Oh, Chris and Family, I am so sorry. I have come to know and love Drez over the years here on the forum. I type through tears at the loss you must be feeling. Your tribute to her was truly wonderful. When I saw that you had posted under the Bridge, my heart sank before I even opened the forum to see if it was about Drez. Please know that we are sending and  your way. This has been a really sad month for our sheepie girls on the forum.
I hope that I, too, have the strength to make this decision for Titus when the time comes. Unfortunately, I am afraid that it will be much sooner than I want. |
| From your threads I feel I knew Drezzie.... She was a special girl....
I am so sorry, Chris. I have been where you are now and know how empty you are feeling but you know you made the right decision. Drezzie is playing and running on Rainbow Bridge painfree and waiting for you. Hugs to you and your family. |
| Oh Chris, I am so sorry for your loss. Drezzie was such a special, beautiful girl. Hugs to you and your family. Her hips no longer hurt her! |
| My heart goes out to you. We also had to do this 11 weeks ago , it was cinderella. She was a rescue. Bless all their hearts.
Just know she is without pain and looking down on you for all you gave her. Hugs to you and family.
This is the third time in 4 years we have had to do this.  |
| I know I've said this time and again, but Drez was an inspiration to me. Her smiling face is hanging here in my living room and it always makes me smile.
Drezzie was a wonderful girl and she loved you so much. I'm sure she's free from the discomfort now and she's running through the grass, free as a bird, with that big grin on her face. My heart is truly breaking for you. This really sucks. Love, Jil |
| Oh I'm so sorry
We all got to know and love Drezzie, and I know how much you and your family loved her and will miss her. |
| Chris,
I am so terribly sorry. My heart breaks for you, knowing what Drez meant to you. You did the right thing, no question about it! May Drezzie be happily romping and digging thru flower pots for hidden treats at the bridge. Hugs to you and your family. Darcy |
| I am so sorry. |
| I am so sorry |
| Chris so sad to hear Miss Drez has gone. She had a wonderfull long life with you and your family, special girl and yes always that hard decision that you have to make out of love for all the love they have given you all for all those years.
I feel like she was part of my family too and I am going to miss hearing all the antics drez got up too. She has left you in body but always there in spirit forever. RIP darling Drez we are all going to miss you sweetie. Run young and free again over the bridge. Hug to your family at this sad time |
| I am so sorry for your loss. May happy memories of your girl carry you though this hard time. My thoughts are with you.
Christina and the gang |
| Oh goodness. All I can say is that she had a wonderful life with you. Bye sweet girl! |
| i just went trough this with both of my girls this week so i do know how you feel.. you did the right thing, i also second guess myself but i know and like you it was the best for her.. she will be playing with my dolly girl i know this |
| Bless you - you did what was right for Drezzie and she is now free from pain and waiting for you at the bridge. Time will help your broken heart - I know how hard it is for you right now but it does get easier - eventually. Hugs from me and Poppy. x |
| Chris, we had to make the same decision 3 years ago with Jake our Lab.
His condition was much like Drez. It was one of the most difficult decisions of our life, but the right one. I hope you feel comfort in knowing you made the right decision for her............Kathy |
| Chris,
I'm so sorry. Even when you know it's the right thing, it doesn't make it any easier. It's so hard to let go when you look in those eyes and think about the better times and you want those times to be back for her. Even though she isn't with you, she's in a place now where she's feeling great, and she's the dog that you remember. Hugs from all of us, Jill |
| Chris, Dale and Sarah, it is through tears that I write this. I am soso sorry to hear about Drez. I always thought of her and Chumley as the "grande dames" of our group and now they are both gone. As others have said, you know you did right, and Drez knows too. I hope your hearts stop hurting soon. |
| Chris and Dale, I'm so sorry about your beautiful Drezzie . The fact that she was so loved and had a wonderful life won't diminish your sadness but your memories will help as you grieve. I'm sure that having you there eased her journey. RIP Drezzie, many people will miss you.
Holly and the boys |
| I'm so sorry for your loss, Drezzie was such a great girl... she will be incredibly missed! |
| Chris,
I have loved the stories of the antics that Drez would get into. My heart is so sad for you and your family yet happy that Drezzie is in a pain free world at the rainbow bridge now. |
| Chris, Dale and Sarah.
I am very sorry for your loss.
You did the right thing for your dear Drezzie. I am sure she is smiling down upon you. |
| Oh Chris. My heart dropped when I saw this post. When I first joined the forum, I remember how struck I was by Drez's beautiful eyes. She was a dear, dear girl, and was so blessed to have had such a wonderful family.
You did the best thing for Drezzie, when you knew the time was right. Please know that we are thinking of you, and are sending special hugs and prayers. Lori |
| I'm very sorry for your loss |
| Drez was very much loved and you gave her a wonderful life starting
with the day you rescued her. Your loyalty and devotion to her was obvious to all of us here. I am so very sorry to hear of your sweet girl's passing. |
| We are so sorry for your loss. |
| Oh gosh, so sorry - our dogs look to us to care for them in life and, when things get painful, in death. I dread when it is my turn, but can only think about the great times this dog brings me. Drez obviously was a lucky girl to have you care for her all these years; those good memories will always make you smile. |
| I am so sorry to read about your loss of Drez. My deepest sympathies go out to you and Dale.
I will never forget seeing her smiling face all the time on the forum and my favorite all time sheepdog swimming video. |
| I'm so sorry to learn Drez is gone. Concentrate not on her end, but the many years of joy she brought to your family. You were fortunate to have such a fine dog-child.
susan |
| Oh, Chris! I'm so saddened to see Drezzie's name posted in this topic. My heart goes out to you, Dale and Sarah.
Keep the wonderful memories locked in your heart, her spirit is in a better place now. Big hugs to you and your family.
Nita, Nelson & Sassy |
| I am so sorry for your loss. My signature says it all. |
| I'm so sorry for your loss. She sure was a beautiful girl!
It's so hard to make that choice, and selfishly, most of us do keep them around longer than we should, waiting and hoping for a miracle. I'm sure the medicine was probably helping her somewhat, but it did nothing for her dignity. You gave that back to her when you let her go. You're right, she was probably never going to get any better here, but now she's perfect. She's not messing on herself any more, she's not in pain, but she IS running again. I can see her running as fast as she can, her and the rest of our clan, all with their hair blowing in the wind and their heads held high. I'm glad you had those extra days to say goodbye. It's so hard to do, but it was the right thing, and I hope you find peace in your heart soon. |
| I am so sorry....
I know you are in pain but, I hope in time she will comfort you from above! May all the happy memories take over. |
| I am so sorry. I do know exactly how you feel.
Drezzy was very lucky to have you. If I weren't crying, I'd write more, but I am and I can't. Hugs for you. |
| Chris and Family, I am so sorry that Drez had to be put to rest....what a great loss she is. I feel in love with her through your posting of her antics and she indeed was one of the Grande Dames of this Forum. I am going to miss her very much. My heart goes out to all of you during this very diffecult time. Please take care of yourselves.
Rest now sweet sheepie girl. Tears, |
| I am so sorry that your beautiful baby has crossed over the Bridge. You did all you could for her, but I know at the moment there are no words on this earth that can help ease your pain. I hope that time will bring you comfort. My only advice is to keep posting on here and that will help a little.
Love to you and all your family... |
| Chris and Dale,
I am so sorry to learn of Drezzie's passing. I am very sorry for your pain. You did the right thing, hard as it was. I saw a shooting star tonight; it was especially bright as it streaked across the sky. Now I know why. It was beautiful. |
| I don't know how I missed this thread.
Chris, I am so sorry for what you and Dale are experiencing. I loved your Drezzie, (Chumley's older, prettier twin) and having been through this recently, I can imagine your grief. You did so much for Drezzie to be able to enjoy a long and happy life. I know that you made the decision at the right time for her. There would probably never be a right time for you. It is heartbreakingly sad that such dear, beautiful old girls are gone but we have to be strong to provide them final peace. ButtersStotch wrote: It's so hard to let go when you look in those eyes and think about the better times and you want those times to be back for her. Exactly! My sadness turned into relief that I had freed Chum from her pain and I hope that you will soon feel that way too about Drezzie. Drezzie's Mom wrote: Even knowing all of the above, I still wasn’t ready to let her go. Her appetite NEVER waned. I was deluding myself to believe that as long as she was still hungry, she couldn’t be THAT bad. Looking back, I now see how selfish I was in that thinking. Food was the only pleasure she had left in her life, and she sure did enjoy that until the end.
I had the same issue with Chum. She never lost her appetite. She actually became more focused on food and treats as other pleasures lost their appeal. It comforts me to think that Drezzie and Chumley are together at the Rainbow Bridge. My heartfelt condolences are with you, friend, and Dale and Sarah as well. |
| OH Chris, I cannot even begin to know what to say to you. All I can do is weep for your pain and your loss. |
| Its so very sad that Drezzie has made her way over the bridge.
Although I know your heart will be breaking I hope you find comfort in your happy memories of Drez. Big hugs to you and all your family |
| Oh, Chris...I'm so sorry! |
| Oh Chris,
I am very sorry for your loss. Big hugs to you and your family. Brenda |
| Chris, I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sue |
| I'm really sorry to hear of your loss, I'm sure Drezzie is playing with my Mitchell at the bridge, both of them running now and forever. |
| Chris,
I am so sorry. I guess if they lived as long as we do, we wouldn't get to know and love so many wonderful souls. I am sure she will be keeping my Winston company at the bridge. It has been over a year since his loss, and even with 2 more, he is still missed. I am sure you did the right thing for Drez, and she is pain free now. |
| I try not to read the Rainbow Bridge thread as it always upsets me. But I have this lovely picture in my mind of all the sheepies playing and running round in this beautiful meadow then they stop and rush over to the Bridge to see who is coming to join them.....I have too much imagination. |
| Paula O and tgir said it best for me. I am so sorry I loved hearing your stories about her my heart truley aches for you |
| I am so sorry you and your family are going through
this. This is the one thing we all dread, and it is the hardest thing to go through. I have been reading about her for such a long time! Your heart must just be broken to bits. I am glad for the time you had with her. We will all miss hearing about dear Drez. There never seem to be words for times like this. I am thinking about you. I am so so sorry. Shellie |
| I am so sorry. Drezzie knew how much you loved her. |
| Oh, how very sad...The end of an era...
Drez was such a sheepie, to the very end...Always with that twinkle..When that fades you know it is time.. Hugs... |
| We are so sorry for your loss Drezzie will be missed by all of us. |
| Oh so sorry Chris!!! Drezzie knew how much her mum loved and cared for her!!! She is safe now!! She's at rainbow bridge now with my Ellie & Amie! ((((HUGS))) XX |
| So very sorry to hear about Drezzie. My thoughts are with you and your family. |
| I can't even imagine
so sad |
| Guys, I'm so sorry to hear that Drez is gone. She gave us so many great stories over the years!! (One of these days you are going to find a biscuit hidden in a houseplant, remember to laugh about it!!) |
| Chris, I am so very for the loss of Drezzie I always enjoyed all of her stories. You made the right decision, Its so hard to watch our babies suffer. Hugs to you and your family |
| I am so sorry to hear of Drezzies passing but try to remember she is happy and pain free now |
| Chris, Dale and family -
I am so, so sorry to read about Drezzie.
Even knowing it was coming, I still sat here and cried as I read everyone's posts. Hugs to you |
| so sorry for your loss......Please know our thoughts are with you |
| We will swim in Drezzie's honor this summer when Hannah exercises in the pool for her hip dysplasia. Drezzie's tremendous spirit served to emphasize why we all love our sheepies so very much. Much comfort to you. Don't forget you go through shock for a while and don't judge your actions what you did or didn't do. It's very clear how much you loved her and did the absolute best possible for her. |
| No words will ever be sufficient to express my sorrow at the loss of your precious Drezzie. We miss her too. She is a shining star. Hugs to you & Dale. |
| Chris,
I am just now seeing your post and crying as I read it. I know what you are going through, please accept our condolences. |
| Chris,
I'm just now getting around to posting about this. I'm so very sorry about Drezzie. I know it has been such a difficult time for you. Hold the memories of her close to your heart.
to you! |
| To Chris and family,
I'm deeply sorry over the loss of beautiful Drezzie. I cried when I read your post. Although, I never had a chance to meet this gorgeous girl in person, I knew her through your photos and stories. I am grieving over her passing. Her spirit will live on forever and she like many others who have passed before her personified the gracious sheepie spirit. Goodbye beautiful Drezzie and may you be now smiling from the Rainbow Bridge. They will certainly gather around when the grand dame makes her enterance . Marianne |
| I'm very sorry for your loss. |
| I am so sorry for your loss. |
| I'm sorry for your loss of Drezzie. |
| I am so sorry for your loss. Your Drez is so like my Luaka. I lost her in almost the same way last Tuesday. I collected her from her mother in Ireland when she was 10 weeks old in 1995. Flew to England lived there
for a year and then came to Chicago suburbs. For 7 years almost every day we went to the woods with her new best friends, Tigger (boxer) Woofie (standard poodle) Brutus & Mia (Sheppherds). Luaka was the alpha female. All those memories will never leave me. If you put your Drez' pic next to my Luaka they could be twins. She also had all the same symptons of old age, but also had congestive heart failure for 9 months. The meds were just too much, both financially and emotionally - she thought I was poisoning her and would not eat from her own dish. Never give meds in a pets personal dish. I also fret that I took her too early, then again, should I have gone earlier? Was she in pain? My heart is smashed into tiny pieces. I am empty and the pain is intollerable. But I am lucky, I have lots of other dogs to help. I'm a pet sitter. I can still hug them. Everyone says time helps, but three days later I'm still a basket case. |
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