He died yesterday (Saturday 4/12). He was over 13. He was no longer really eating and could barely walk. The last couple of days all he wanted was to sit on the back porch and smell the air, which I let him do as much as possible. The vet came to the house and he was surrounded by our family as he was given the shots. It was very peaceful. He is being cremated and we will scatter his ashes in the yard he loved so much.
This picture was taken 2 days before the end.
I am devastated.
A LONG time since I posted. It was the 10-year (!) anniversary of Moose's death a couple weeks ago. I still miss him (and Zeke). Moxie is fine. She's fat and lazy, but a happy cat.
Kona is 13 years old now. He has recently been diagnosed with a likely cancerous mass in his torso, near his windpipe and lung. Occasionally, the pressure causes him to cough as if to clear his throat. Otherwise he acts about the same, but his sleep is less restful. He's had the cough very irregularly for a long time. The vet thought it was just an allergy or some mild congestion, but when it got a little more frequent, we had some X-rays done and the growth was discovered.
He is far too old for things like major surgery, especially since it's unlikely that would make much difference to his lifespan. He is essentially on hospice now. I spoil him terribly and let him do pretty much what he wants. His appetite is... OK. Sometimes he is less in the mood for his meals than others, but he's nearly always ready for a treat, so he's not starving himself.
I will keep him as happy and comfortable as I can for as long as I can, then I will help him die as gently and peaceably as possible. He may have months (or more) left in him. When he isn't coughing, you'd hardly know he had any trouble. He looks like an old dog (and he is), but he is alert and affectionate and still likes a (short) walk now & then. It will devastate me when he is gone, I know. But for now, I try to look forward to as much time with him as possible.
I started this blog because when Zeke passed, I realized I didn't really have much in the way of tangible memories (pictures, videos, etc.) of him and I wanted to be sure that didn't happen with Kona. I let this blog lapse a bit because for a LONG time, he maintained pretty much the same status he always had. I guess it was that mutt hybrid vigor at work.
Anyway, it felt right to post something here given Moose, Kona's turning 13, and his status. Here he is, wanting a milk bone:
