One of Pepper's last tracks
One of your last footprints, from a dark and snowy night
The last time you ever walked with me before going to the light
I didn’t know you wouldn’t come back from that moonless Solstice eve
I didn’t know how sick you were, didn’t know I’d have to grieve
The hole you’ve left in all our lives seems like it never can be fixed
And today my tear-stained memories are all that lie betwixt
The very first day you bounded up, bringing muddy chaos in
And your last night surrendering to a fight you couldn’t win
The sobbing and tears will fade away like the snow that held your track
And fondest recollections will bring smiles flooding back
Rest easy now in pain-free bliss, making sand-angels ‘til you’re bored
Then chase pebbles through the sun-kissed surf on that new and happy shore
Our Pepper
Pepper didn’t make it. She was euthanised at about quarter to midnight last night.
We’d brought her home with medication at lunchtime but she deteriorated during the afternoon and was sick again when we took her out in the evening. She was lying shaking at the foot of the stairs and we took her to the emergency vet at 9 o’clock. The vet kept her in again but phoned shortly after we’d left to let us know that she suspected a rupture and wanted to operate immediately.
About an hour later back at home we recieved a call to say that there was significant damage to Peppers stomach; acute peritonitis and many perforations and tears. The contents of her colon would have been leaking into her system for quite some time. Untreatable, the kindest thing to do at this point was to put her to sleep while she was still under the general anaesthetic. I agreed to this after desperately exploring the remote and unlikely alteratives.
We went to the vet’s shortly afterwards to say our shocked and still unbelieving goodbyes. We had no idea she’d been so ill with so few outward signs!
There’s such a massive hole in our lives now that you’ve gone, Pepper.
We’ll always love you big girl. XXX
I’m in a kind of bitter-sweet kind of mood today.
We’re still waiting to find out it Pepper has responded to the drugs at the vets, removing the need for surgery. If this is the case then we’ll know it was just an infection of the duodenum and she should be able to come home. If the inflammation is still there then they’ll have to operate to see if there’s anything inside causing a blockage. Best scenario is a foreign object that can be easily removed, worst case is a tumour. We won’t know either way until lunchtime. 
On the flip-side, I’ve achieved my “3-stone loss” milestone as of last night, and I completed week 3 of the C25K program this morning when I went out a 4.45am in the snow. How hardcore is that! 
I tried eating a larger meal last night to celebrate my success, but I got really full and I’m still bloated this morning. I suppose that’s a good thing! 
Our poor dog Pepper has to stay in the vet’s overnight for more treatment.
I spoke to the vet this evening and they had identified an area of concern on her duodenum on the x-ray. This warranted further investigation by way of a scan.
They found the area to be very sore and irritated, indicating a severe infection in the best case scenario and although unlikely, a tumour at the worst case.
They’re going to see if she responds to the medication, and are treating the discomfort.
We’ll know more tomorrow, but I’d really appreciate good wishes and thoughts if you have the time, please.
Our Pepper
