In memory of Prada and Fiona

Oldies but Goodies (OBGs)

Old dogs are the best and they are also difficult. The gentle softness in their eyes can melt any heart, but then watching them slow down, stopping to make sure they are still breathing, tapping on the floor instead of touching them to wake up, to avoid startling them, and knowing your days together are coming to an end, makes your heart ache. There are days of wondering, is this normal aging, is something wrong, am I imagining this? But, all that aside, every one of those days is such a blessing.

Two weeks ago, I had to say goodbye to my Prada. She had aged quite a bit in the last few months, so I knew it was coming. She had blood work and an ultrasound in July of 2021 and everything was good. But then in August, she had a small bump appear on her side. I thought it was tick at first glance, but then after looking closer, I thought a skin tag. But, then within a month, it grow from the size of what I thought was an engorged tick to the size of a date. The growth was removed in September, and I didn't have it sent for testing since she was almost 15. I didn't need to know. The mass didn't return, but it seemed that in about October she slowed down dramatically.

Then on February 9th, she wasn't able to get on the couch and she seemed a bit slower when she moved. I thought it must just old dog stuff, and of course, she would have some bad days. So I decided if she didn't seem better in the morning I would bring her in. When I brought her in, her doctor did an ultrasound and discovered a large tumor on her spleen that had ruptured. There was nothing that could be done.

I had plenty of time to prepare myself, and I knew it was coming. But it's still hard and we never get enough time. Today, I get to pick up her ashes.

X-Treme Status Symbol (Prada)

2/17/2007 - 2/10/2022

Prada was a fun, crazy puppy, who grew into a good-natured adult, who was easy to train and live with. Even though she was mostly a lump at home, she enjoyed many years of flyball, swimming, hiking, catching her soft frisbee, eating, and she even dabbled a bit in agility. She really loved eating and I'm pretty sure she thought all humans were on this earth to pet her.

Her love of food made it easy to teach her lots of tricks and she earned all her trick titles and she was the last of my dogs with a CGC.

The first time she went swimming at Lake Mead, she swam away and it looked like she wasn't going to come back. I panicked and screamed for her and eventually, in her own time, she turned around and then stayed close by. She just loved the water and swimming, so much.

When she ran with the other dogs, she would scream out of frustration because she couldn't keep up with them. Poor girl. She did try though.

She played flyball until her 12th birthday, then finished the day off with some cake and a massage. I made a little video of her flyball retirement and her and her brother enjoying birthday cake.

RIP Prada May Elizabeth Matilda Hrustyk

And just for fun, I found this gem. I have no idea how I even captured this, but it made me laugh, so I figured I had to share to add a little more fun to a sad post.

5 Days after saying goodbye to Prada, I had to say goodbye to Fiona, my little foster Border Collie, who came to me just over a year ago.

Fiona

7/07/2007 - 2/15/2022

Fiona was a sweet, petite little Border Collie who spent her life doing flyball and obedience with her human Henry, who passed away in November of 2020. I don't know much about her past life, but I do know she was invited to AKC obedience nationals (I don't do obedience, so I don't know the real name for nationals), which was Henry's dream for her. But he, unfortunately, passed away and didn't get to go.

After Henry passed away, Fiona came to live with me. She was in stage 3 renal failure, on a special diet, and needed eye drops to keep her retinas in place. But seemed to feel good and was a peppy little girl. For the most part, she seemed happy and healthy. She had an infection a while back and her vet didn't think she would live more than a month. But she pulled through and made a complete recovery.

On February 14th, she didn't finish her breakfast. I made an appointment for her and her bloodwork showed that her kidneys were no longer functioning enough to keep her alive. All that I could do for her was talk to her and pet her while she went to sleep.

RIP Fiona

Fiona didn't like being photographed, but I did manage to get a photo of her.

Silver Linings in Saying Goodbye

Perhaps the only silver lining we have,
Is that at least I knew it was coming.
At least I had a chance to say goodbye
To scratch your ears and listen to your chest humming.

A small consolation, I know,
To a loss so devastating and unfair,
But the fact that I told you I loved you once more –
I will admit I find some comfort there.

I find some comfort in thinking you understood me
When I looked in your eyes that last time.
I find comfort in thinking that you found comfort too
In the moments before you crossed over the line.

I never knew, I will admit,
How much you understood of what I said,
How much all my words of love and affection
Crept through your fur to your head.

I have to believe you knew enough to know
How truly and deeply I loved you
How badly I will miss you now that you are gone,
And how hard it was for me to let you go, too.

- author unkown

This blog post is part of a pet photographer blog circle. To see what other pet photographers around the world are sharing this week, follow the circle, starting with

Canberra pet photographer Ina J Photography shares why she loves photographing dogs in autumn in Canberra.

14 Comments

Mar 4, 2022, 2:15:31 PM

Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you, Carol. <3

Mar 1, 2022, 4:20:44 AM

Carol - Ugh! So hard. And all at once, too. My heart goes out to you. I'm glad you got so many good photos of Prada (the attack-mode one is just adorable!) and this beautiful shot of beautiful Fiona. It's so important to capture those memories!

Feb 28, 2022, 8:58:43 AM

Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you Tracy.

Feb 27, 2022, 2:24:32 PM

Tracy Allard - Ugh, tough month for you - I'm so sorry for your losses Nicole. I'm happy that you have so many beautiful images of Prada (and at least one of Fiona)

Feb 25, 2022, 1:34:43 PM

Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you Darlene. I have the pano on my wall as a 20x40. <3

Feb 25, 2022, 12:57:22 PM

Darlene - I"m so sorry, Nicole. So much heartbreak. And no matter what, we are just never prepared. Thinking of you. Such beautiful pups and I know they brought so much joy into your life! That pano image of Prada is stunning. Hoping you find some peace xo

Feb 25, 2022, 11:45:55 AM

Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you Kim. I know that anticipatory grief well. :(

Feb 25, 2022, 11:44:58 AM

Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you, Jessica.

Feb 25, 2022, 11:44:30 AM

Nicole Hrustyk - Oh, Elaine, I'm sorry. It is hard and losing two makes the house feel so empty.

Feb 25, 2022, 11:42:09 AM

Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you, Angela.

Feb 25, 2022, 10:59:40 AM

Angela - So much loss in such a short time. Sending you love and hugs, my friend. That poem is beautiful, one I hadn't seen before. Thanks for sharing it.

Feb 25, 2022, 10:38:45 AM

Elaine - The losses of such lovely friends are so very hard. We lost two of our older dogs in 2021, and miss them everyday. You have written great tributes to each one.

Feb 25, 2022, 5:29:16 AM

Jessica - Oh, Nicole...I am so saddened by the immense amount of loss you experienced in losing both so close together. Saying goodbye is never easy even when we know it's the "right" thing to do and we are anticipating it. Hugs to you!

Feb 25, 2022, 4:13:04 AM

Kim Hollis - I am so sorry for so much loss in your life in such a short period of time. I too am going through "anticipatory grief" knowing that my 14 year old Moose has limited time left with me. Hugs to you and that last photo of Fiona is beautiful.

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