Goodbye Chloe

I write this post with a very heavy heart but over the years we knew this day would come and the choice would have to be made. A little over three weeks ago we learned that our dear Chloe relapsed, and with that no great treatment options. The oncologists gave her a couple weeks. For the first two weeks she was normal and happy, then slowly she started to not eat her food, get no great joy from her hike and near the end was vomiting and had a hard time walking. Hard to watch someone you love so dear suffer but also so hard to end their life. Omer and I chose Friday, February 11 to allow Chloe to rest in peace.

The past couple weeks I have made sure to hike both weekend days and make Chloe the priority in our day. I wanted to give her everything I could. The last week was really hard as she started to not even want to take walks, something Chloe thrives on. As a family we hung out and cuddled a lot with me getting tons of head strokes. Her last day was filled with lots of love. Owen chose not to go to school because "I want to be here for Chloe's last day." The boys were great and really let me just be with her. A lot of snuggles, obvious tears, memories and talks. I was so happy that it was sunny and warm out so Chloe could enjoy warming in the sun one last time. We sat out there together a lot just being together. She got to enjoy her favorite foods ending with a huge steak. The boys said goodbye and Owen got his last hug in. Omer and I took both Chloe and Chester to the hike, knowing that she was too weak to really walk but it is one of her favorite places and I wanted her to be able to spend her last moments there. They walked around, explored, ate some bacon and then she layed in a warm sunny spot for more snuggles. I can't even begin to put into words how insanely difficult it was at the vets. I am happy to say with the help of good pain meds her last moments she had a smile on her face and laid with Omer and I for love. Watching someone you love that much slip away from you, is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I am still having a hard time moving on from the sadness of the situation but the joyful kids have helped at least make me get out of bed and actually smile and laugh. Poor Chester grieved with me for several days as well. The sad pup didn't even chase any squirrels or bark at the birds. At one point he climbed in bed with me and actually cried and whimpered. But both of us are healing.

Chloe was a huge part of my life and has brought me and my family such joy and happiness. She is actually the reason Omer and I ever met. And as she approved of him and actually had a crush on him, I let my wall down and fell in love with Omer. Chloe has brought me joy, love, strength, protection, and growth. Chloe and I were meant to find each other and I will never forget her. We miss you, Chloe and wish you a restful peace and blessed spirit.

Some of Chloe's Favorites:

1. loved to lick toes

2. fetch a ball or stick

3. roll in the snow and catch snowballs

4. bask in the hot summer sun

5. role in the sand

6. chase and bark at waves

7. chew on sticks

8. nibble and clean her stuffed toys

9. play soccer, good block

10. play chase with the boys

11. hiking with her buddies

12. chasing squirrels, deer and well anything in the forest

13. snuggling on the couch with Chester

14. kisses, kisses, kisses

15. smile with such joy

Some of Our Favorite Memories:
1. As I was choosing which puppy, I immediately saw her with her tongue hanging out the side with an amazing smile. I knew right then she was my Chloe.
2. Tumbling over her insanely large paws while she learned to run.
3. Running up to Omer's porch kissing away.
4. Scrunching her way between Omer and I while we tried to watch a movie.
5. Tossing empty beer cans in the air to catch, no matter how many toys I got her. Hokie Girl!
6. On a hike at the lake at Tech, a friend threw a stick and instead she pulled and retrieved a huge piece of bark from a fallen tree.
7. Puppy birthday parties - hats, hike, cake, good friends.
8. First steps on a beach, barking at the ocean and then quickly started to roll in the sand and chase birds.
9. Hanging her head out the window on a drive, ears and tongue flapping.

10. Laying in bed getting ear and head strokes.

11. Running in leaf piles with the boys.

12. Bringing back deer parts with her buddies. Joy!
13. Spooning on the floor, she was so cuddly.
14. Watching her run and be free on hikes. Loved to explore.
15. Romping in snow and making her own tracks.
16. Laying, cuddled together with Chester.
17. Embracing, loving, protecting, playing with Owen and Aiden
18. Protecting me during some rough times
19. Kissing my tears off my face.

20. Being greeted with that amazing smile and sweet face.

I created a video of many of Chloe's moments in her wonderful life. It was very therapeutic for me and still helps when I watch it. The last song is the last week of her life.

Chloe's Life from Melissa Aru on Vimeo.

We also captured Chloe's last moments at the hike.