Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center Blog

In Memory of Lydia

Six years ago I received a phone call from Valerie asking me if I would consider fostering a 2 year old female that could not go to a kennel because of a suspected heart problem. She was still in the vet's office, but she pleaded with me to take a look. I was still reeling from the recent loss of LadyBug and my I didn't know if I could bring another into our home.

But . . . I went to the vet's hospital to meet Lydia - what a precious little girl - she was petite and spunky and loving. She wasn't ready to be released and when I left she started to whimper . . . of course . .. that did it . .. I told the vet hospital that I would be back to get her when she was ready to be released.

And so began life with Lydia - she was so full of life - everything was an adventure - she loved our other dogs - they loved her - she loved to romp and play and snuggle and give kisses.

We made an appointment for a cardiology work-up. We had no idea at that juncture how bad her heart was. She had a genetic birth defect - the duct to one of the heart's ventricles never closed and blood was constantly seeping into that chamber. One of her chambers was so enlarged that the doctor said it was the size of a labrador's. The prognosis was poor. The doctor said - maybe 6 weeks . . . . However . . . he prescribed multiple medicines - even a new one that we could only get from Canada . . . and our 6 weeks with this darling girl turned into 6 years.

A month ago, she was having trouble breathing - we knew that the time had come . . .we took her to the vet - she stayed there 4 days - and then we took her back to the cardiologist where her medicine was re-adjusted - she was in congestive heart failure. We knew now that she was really on borrowed time - we were told to have her avoid stress - to avoid excess exertion - we carried her so that she didn't have to walk the steps - we gave her all of her favorite foods.

For the past two days, her appetite dimished - she wasn't her spunky self - of course we never thought that there would be a day without Lydia.

Last night, Leslie carried Lydia downstairs to go outside and then he carried her back upstairs. She died in his arms, surrounded by the love we had for her.

She was such a gentle spirit - a wonderful little girl - hopefully she is with all of the other Goldstein clan romping and playing across the Rainbow Bridge.

Barbara