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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsThank you, everyone, for your kind words and thoughts about Penny
Your posts on DU mean more to me than I can express in words.
Penny went over the rainbow bridge at around 11:30 am on Monday. My husband, daughter and I sobbed and petted her as she left us.
It's taken a couple of days to pull myself together to post this.
One lovely thing happened a short time before the vet arrived. It was gently snowing. Dave remembered how much Penny loved snow, rolling in it, jumping in it, eating it. He went outside and filled a soup bowl with snow. We held it up to her face, and her eyes lit up. She licked the bowl clean. He fetched a second bowlful, and she licked that up too. We were thrilled to give her this last treat, especially since she was refusing food and water.
After doing some research, I think Penny had degenerative myelopathy, the canine version of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). It's genetic and there is no treatment or cure.
Here's a picture of her from September, 2023. She is wearing a flower headdress from a Ukrainian festival I'd gone to that day.

hlthe2b
(112,491 posts)Hang on to them. They will bring an unexpected smile when you most need one.
Diamond_Dog
(39,564 posts)Niagara
(11,310 posts)We never get over our grief, we only move forward with it.
Allow yourself to grieve and don't forget your own self-care.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)IbogaProject
(5,518 posts)But it sounds nice she got a treat like that during such a sad end for her.
Think. Again.
(22,456 posts)IbogaProject
(5,518 posts)Which she always enjoyed? Sad tor everyone, but a brief pause on her discimfort, I hope. Sad for all, of course.
SheltieLover
(75,697 posts)Ty for sharing that she crossed gently & I love that she enjoyed some snow beforehand.
brer cat
(27,309 posts)but I hope your memories bring you comfort.
KitFox
(494 posts)Thank you for sharing and that she was able to have two bowls of snow is heart warming! Hugs to you and your family.
Lulu KC
(8,407 posts)Losing a sweet pet is heart-wrenching. She was clearly a true sweetie.
CousinIT
(12,127 posts)Thats the last, best gift you could give her - she wasn't alone and had her family right there. It was your last act of love for your baby.
She was adorable. I can see why you love her so much 💕
Clouds Passing
(6,765 posts)niyad
(129,183 posts)Do not be surprised if you see or hear her, lettiing you know how much she loves you.
debm55
(54,429 posts)daughter.
Rhiannon12866
(248,707 posts)I've been there, too, and it's so tough, they are such a big part of your life and always there. Just remember that she was so lucky to have found you...
Hope22
(4,404 posts)I love that she could enjoy her snow one more time. Peace and love to all! 💗💗💗💗🙏🏼💐
3catwoman3
(28,419 posts)I will remember that always.