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All this time though, Bleaux never seemed to be in any pain. She just kept getting thinner and thinner. But a couple of weeks ago, Bleaux started really going downhill.


She was throwing up pretty much everything she ate. Then, she just quit eating. She got really weak. She would slip and fall easily because her poor body didn’t have the strength anymore.


On this past Sunday night, the 4th of July (the night before she died), I was at Jennifer’s and poor Bleaux, as weak as she was, still got up to say hello to me when I got there. You could always count on her to be a sweetheart and say hello! Then, she went and laid on her bed, and I went in to spend a little time with her. Sunday night, she was so weak, we knew that if she lived through the night, we would have to put her to sleep the next day. It was at this point that her quality of life was no more.


On Sunday night, she was so weak, but still managed to wag that tail because she was so sweet and loving! Here’s a little video of her that I took the night before she died. I apologize that it is a bit dark. Jennifer has terrible lighting in the room where the dog’s were.

We explained to Haley that Bleaux was going to have to be put to sleep and what that entailed. Haley knew that Bleaux was going to die the next day. So, she wanted to take a picture with Bleaux. As soon as Haley got down with her, Bleaux weakly lifted her head to see Haley...

... and Haley gave her a kiss goodbye.

After that, we let the sweet girl rest.


As a side note, I totally love how Bleaux is laying there with her stuffed bluebird toy - since we called her Bleaux-bird.

The next day, I went back over to Jennifer’s so we could take Bleaux in to the vet for the most difficult thing yet - to have her put to sleep.


Bleaux was SO weak. We knew it was time. It had to be done. But, even so, it is just awful to take that step. Jennifer was having a rough time saying goodbye as you can imagine. When you’ve had these dogs since they were little puppies, and they are members of your family in every way, saying goodbye is so unbelievably hard!

Haley drew this sweet picture for us to, as she said, “pin to Bleaux’s collar” when we took her to the vet to put her down.

On this, the day Bleaux died, I took this video right before we left for the vet. You can see how weak Bleaux is at this point. She can barely stand, but she still mustered up the strength to wag that tail!

Leave it to a kid to make you laugh at a time of such sorrow. When we explained to Haley that Bleaux was going to be cremated after she died, Haley wanted to know what cremation was, so Jennifer explained it to her. Then Haley said, “You mean, they are going to turn her into a hot dog??” Oh Haley!!


I caught one last picture of sweet Bleaux before we took her to be put to sleep. This picture just breaks my heart and makes me cry. Seriously, such. a. sweet. girl!


I think she knew it was time. She was done. You can see it in her eyes.

When we got to the vet, the girls came in and shaved her leg to insert the catheter. Then they brought in the Euthanasia Consent Form for Jennifer to sign. I remember a few years ago when my mom and I had to put down our beloved Shar Pei, Willow, I had to sign this form. The hardest form I have ever signed. I could barely get my name down. I am sure Jennifer found it just as difficult. When you see that awful word, “euthanasia”, it just makes you sick.


Jennifer and I spent a little time with Bleaux after that to calm her down and get her comfortable.


Then it was time.


The doctor came in. It was very hard. The doctor was wonderful though. She is a new vet and just a very sweet girl.


Jennifer held Bleaux in her lap and cradled her face in her arms so her face was right in Bleaux’s face. She just talked to her and told her how much she loved her. Then, leave it to sweet Bleaux, she gave Jennifer a big kiss right before she died. I laid there on the floor next to Jennifer with my arms around Bleaux holding my hand over her heart until I felt it stop beating.


Then, she was gone.  


She died very peacefully and wasn’t in any pain. Just the way it should be I guess. However, seeing Bleaux’s lifeless body laying there on the floor was really tough. Jennifer was crying and I was just a puddle of tears. For me, this whole thing just brought me back to that horrible night that we had to put Willow to sleep. Then, in my mind, I just pictured the day I have to do this with my Cicely and Maggie and it hit me like a ton of bricks how we only have these wonderful dogs for such a short time. The vet saw me balling and gave me a great, big hug. Like I said, she was very sweet! I have never seen a vet have that much compassion before. The vet then told us that she knew exactly how we felt because she had just put her Malamute to sleep a few months prior. So, she understood in every way.


Jennifer removed Bleaux’s collar and it was time to leave. We gave Bleaux a few last loving looks and pets and then left. It is so awful to walk out of the vet’s office without your dog and with only their collar in your hand. Really HORRIBLE!


We got back to Jennifer’s house and Jennifer’s other two dogs, Chloe and Cypress, were looking for Bleaux. Cypress just stood by the garage door crying and crying for Bleaux. Chloe came up and Jennifer showed her Bleaux’s collar and told her Bleaux was all gone. Then Chloe started licking Bleaux’s collar. Holy crap could this day get any worse!?!


I went home after that and pretty much cried for the rest of the day - and it wasn’t even my dog! But, when you are with them when they die it is a whole other story.


Later that night, I was talking to the Wayneman and I had to question if all the pain of losing these dogs after a few short years is worth having them. Days like Monday would make anyone question this. But, as hard as it is to loose them, I have to say, I can’t imagine my life without these dogs.


So, for now, let’s remember sweet Bleaux-bird the way she was before she got sick.


Here she is back in 2000 as a long and lanky three month old puppy.

She was a crazy, little goof!

Bleaux and Chloe were a major handful when they were puppies. But, oh so cute! They were sisters from the same litter. (Bleaux is on the left).

They grew up together, two peas in a pod. (Bleaux is on the right.)

As they aged, Bleaux and Chloe grew gray together in their senior years. (Bleaux is on the left.)

Bleaux was always such a sweet mama dog. So nurturing and gentle. When I got Cicely as a little puppy, Bleaux was wonderful with her. Chloe couldn’t be around Cic because Chloe was way too big and rough. Bleaux, on the other hand, was as gentle as can be. Bleaux was so patient when my three month old CRAZY Cicely would torment her. Seriously, Cicely really TORMENTED Bleaux!

Bleaux took any opportunity to give kisses!

Bleaux was not only wonderful with Cicely. She was also very gentle with Haley. You could always trust Bleaux.

Bleaux was just as gentle with Emily as she was with Haley.

I think Bleaux’s most endearing feature was her eyes. With Bleaux, it was all in the eyes. Her eyes really showed her sweetness and what a wonderful heart she had!

Even when she was sick, she was playful as ever. I filmed this just two short months ago on Haley’s birthday this year. Silly Bleaux!

To say Bleaux was a sweet dog will never fully explain just how sweet she really was. To say she will be missed is an understatement.


Goodbye sweet Bleaux-bird! We will always love you!

You couldn’t eat without Bleaux standing nearby hoping for a handout. She was a serious beggar, but she kept a low profile. Eating at Jennifer’s house just won’t be the same now!

She always had a ball in her mouth or nearby!

She was such a playful girl, always rolling around being goofy!

It was always an adventure when we got all of our dogs together - Jennifer’s three dogs and my Cicely and Maggie. Here’s the gang in their glory days. Let me just say that it was quite a feat to get them to all lay still together for this picture. The looks on all of their faces cracks me up!

You could always count on Bleaux to bring you a ball.

This picture makes me laugh because Bleaux’s face says it all when having to deal with Cicely, who was totally INSANE with Bleaux. Cic wouldn’t leave Bleaux alone! Bleaux never lost her patience though.

Here’s Bleaux on Christmas Day 2009. Her last Christmas as it turns out.