Finally got online at the hotel last night (laptop cooling pad is working somewhat) and I had an email from my dad...

Stephanie,

Bitsy suffered a major stroke/seizure late Friday night which left her incapable of walking properly and very disoriented.

I took Bitsy in to the animal clinic Saturday morning after I saw her difficulty in walking and being very disoriented. Dr. Pocha examined her and confirmed that she indeed had suffered a major seizure/stroke which she may or may not come out of. She gave me medicine to use to ease any discomfort she may have if another seizure occurred and said I should monitor her and see how she was on Monday. Saturday night and Sunday morning saw a little improvement but not much, and she was still incapable of walking and had to be hand fed and drinking water was with difficulty, but she had no accidents in the condo.

Sunday afternoon and evening saw Bitsy trying to walk to her food and drink and not able to do so. I hand fed her again Sunday evening but did not have much hope. Grandpa and Grandma returned late Sunday evening and Grandpa took her out Monday morning, but as hard as she tried, she was still incapable of walking properly or eating her food and water as she was too disoriented.

I therefore decided that it was time and called Southdown to schedule her last visit. Grandpa and I took Bitsy in for the last time at 7:00 p.m. tonight after Grandma said her good-byes.

Grandpa and I were with her to the end and said our goodbyes and I also said a goodbye to her from you.

We both held her for a while and she seemed to be comforted by this. She suffered no pain and was at finally at rest. She would have been 15 years old this coming December 27th so , for a dog, she had a long and generally prosperous life. While she was blind, she was also extremely healthy and the last 2 years of her life, she was spoiled rotten by Grandma and Grandpa. What a way to go ! I should be so lucky !

I have asked for her to be cremated and I will save her ashes until you return. When you are here to do so, I suggest we assemble at the cottage and formally you will either inter her there or scatter her ashes there – after all , she was your dog and It’s the only property I still own that she was connected with.

Love,
Dad

Quick, no pain, at a ripe old age, and surrounded by people who loved her very much.... couldn't ask for much more. Hard to believe that little doggie I've had since I was nine is gone... you never think the last time you see someone (or a pet) that it will be the last time... She was blind, old, cranky, and slept almost all the time for her last years, but she was still Bitsy. We never hesitated to give her the best care possible. My mom spent so long training her to do all sorts of neat things. She even knew our names.

This is the only photo I could find of her that I have on my laptop right now. Actually it's the earliest one I have of her too, from when she was a puppy. It's kinda funny because it really doesn't look anything like she did for her adult life. I'll have to post a cute video I know I have of her when we get home. Bye Bitsy...