Goodbye sweet Kayla

[Cindy]

It is with a very heavy heart and many tears that I’m writing this message to let you know we had to have sweet little Kayla put to sleep yesterday. She was our second ABR dog and I can still remember the day John brought her home (she was a surprise for me). She was much smaller than any Brittany I’d seen so my reaction was “Oh no – you brought home a puppy??!!” With that, Kayla placed her paws on my shoulders and smothered me with kisses – that’s all it took! Kayla was about 14+ and has been suffering from cognitive dysfunction and vestibular disease for the last year. Accompanied by increasing weakness in her rear quarters, she had a difficult time holding herself up and was no longer able to do the things that she loved. She spent most of the day sleeping or pacing around the house getting “stuck” in corners and unable to find her way out. Kayla was our Frisbee dog and would jump sky high to snatch it out of the air. Even in her last few years she still insisted on having me throw it once or twice and then just carry it around the yard. Kayla loved everything about the water – including drinking copious amounts of it! Show her a stream, a lake, the ocean, and sometimes just a puddle and she’d launch herself into it with reckless abandon. We had to tie her in our boat because she always tried to jump over the side so she could swim instead of ride! Everyone loved Kayla – dogs, cats, and people alike – and there wasn’t a mean bone in her body. She could be implicitly trusted to be sweet and well behaved with everyone she met which is why she was loved by so many. After several visits/consults with our vet, we decided to let her go before the pain and panic became any worse and she still had her dignity. The vet came to our house and we put her down in our living room while she still held a Frisbee in her mouth. She went very peacefully and our pack will not be the same without her. Making this decision is never easy but this was one of the hardest we’ve ever had to make. Hopefully she is racing around, pain free, with her best buddy Jill. We will miss her terribly.

[Helen E.]

Cindy, I'm so sorry to hear about Kayla. I know how hard that decision was. It is never easy but it is the kindest thing we can do to spare our fur babies any more pain. She had a wonderful life with you and John. Sending hugs and condolences.

[mkilcz]

Oh Cindy, I'm in tears reading this sad news. I know how very hard this must be for you both.
My daughter and I got to meet Kayla at the ABR Picnic a few years back. What a sweetheart, and such a happy girl... As I recall, her little tail never stopped wagging!
Sending hugs, and hoping you find peace and comfort in all of your happy memories of her.

[PCTech01]

So sorry to read your post Cindy. Hugs to you and your family.

Steve

[janet909]

Oh Cindy,
Your post made me cry. How beautiful that you put Kayla down at home, surrounded by her family, with her frisbee in her mouth. You are lucky to have been able to do it that way. It's so hard to lose one of our pack. She was loved and had a wonderful life with you all. While that doesn't help the pain, feel good in that she did leave with dignity and she no longer has pain. My condolences.

[Lisa]

So very sorry to hear of your loss.

[Muddy Creek Britts]

Prayers for you and your pack. I know it's hard too well. Run free, Kayla.

[kat]

Oh Cindy, I am so sorry. Sweet, sweet Kayla. How hard for you to put aside your wants for her to stay with you and do what was without question the best thing for her. It IS never easy, these dogs are so special. So many memories of her, I'm sure she is running free with Jill, playing, chasing, wrestling. {{HUGS}} to you.

[Barb Wright]

Oh so sad to hear this news. I know how hard this was for you and John, the time is never really right. I know the rest of your dogs will help you through the loss. RIP Kayla, you will never be forgotten.

[AuntieMom]

Cindy, my deepest sympathy to you. Kayla was such a joyful girl and you were so lucky to have a Frisbee girl.

Scout is going through what Kayla went through at the end (getting stuck in corners sound so familiar.) Despite the heartache we go through at the end their lives, I would not change anything. I have learned so much about life and love from my dogs.

[Cindy]

Scout is going through what Kayla went through at the end (getting stuck in corners sound so familiar.)

I gave Kayla Fish Oil, SamE, and Neutricks (Senilife is another option) for the cognitive stuff. I definitely saw a difference initially but then I think the vestibular problems and vision issues were more than she could deal with. It's really difficult to watch your dog, who used to be so joyful and competent, go through this.

[adleblanc]

Cindy I am very sorry to hear about Kayla. Our time with them seems so short. Always remember the wonderful time you had with her.