Our dear, sweet Romeo became ill during the night and I took him to the vet first thing this morning.  He was lethargic, would not eat his breakfast and his gums were pale.  He was, however, still wagging his tail – such a sweetheart. 

After examining him, the vet agreed that something was definitely amiss with Romeo and told me he needed to keep him to run a battery of tests. 

Romeo loved his treats

 

He kept me apprised throughout the day, until an abdominal ultrasound delivered the news none of us wanted to hear.  Romeo had tumors on both adrenal glands.  He was bleeding internally (thus the anemia), his blood count had taken a turn for the worse just since this morning, and he was starting to have heart trouble. 

I always ask my vet what he would do if this was his dog.  He said he would not allow his dog to suffer anymore.

Electric Horseman and I spent about a ½ hour saying our good-byes to one of the most wonderful dogs we have shared our lives with.  Because Romeo was Romeo, he still wagged his tail when he saw us, albeit it slowly.  Then I sat on the floor with Romeo’s head in my lap, where he was quite content, while he drifted off to another world.  Electric Horseman and I were both distraught.

I am so thankful that Fifinella was home for a quick visit last weekend and was able to see him one last time.  Romeo has been a part of her life since she was 15 years old.

In memory and honor of Romeo, here is a previously published story about a dog who won over everyone who ever met him:

Romeo