Sleepy - Oct 6, 2020

We just knew it was going to happen soon.  Sleepy's mental and physical being seem to fluctuate every week since the beginning of 2020.  He would soil inside the house and that was a huge red flag for us.  He is not coming to the door when we walk in from the garage.  

Sleepy would greet us every time we walk into the house - after waiting for us all day alone.  During this pandemic, we were lucky enough to spend a lot more extra time with him and gave him the walks that he loved.  But one day, when we were walking back from the trail - he fell to the floor and did not walk to get up.  He gave us so many signs and we know he was getting weaker and older.  We dont walk him as much out to the trail after that and let him roam in the backyard and the front.  He also got scared of walking too much and preferred staying indoor and laid down.  It took a lot of effort to get him to walk and exercise, which he needed.  He was gaining so much weight!  He also had really bad anxiety and barked all the time.  He barked even more when we had anyone over.  He would bark nonstop - even if I sit next to him.  His stress caused us stress and I am sure I will experience the same anxiety when we all get to his age.

In August of 2020, we all get to spend a weekend in Oxnard at a beach house.  Sleepy liked it - he actually enjoyed the walk in the new neighborhood.  I also know that that was probably going to be his last trip with us.  By then, he would just poop without getting up.  He couldnt control his bowel movements anymore and it was totally fine.  However, if we took him out at the right time - he would take care of business outside and that would be a great day for us.  

In September of 2020, he could not get up by himself anymore.  He needed our help to lift his hind legs up.  He was getting weaker and weaker and we had to support him with every move he makes.  His diet turned into mostly chicken, bone broth since I didn't want him to eat too much kibbles. 

September 2020 - Selfie with Sleepy!

By end of September, it was clear to me that he just could not use his back legs and we drove down to San Diego to get this wheel chair for him which helped only a little bit.  He did not like it very much and we needed to help him despite of the support he got from this wheelchair.

Below is the last picture of Sleepy I took of him the day before he left us.  We took him out as usual the day before and let him out to eat, walk, and take care of business.  By then, he had a diaper on and we would just take him out by supporting his back legs.  When he went back into the house, he fell onto his face and I know that he was just holding on to his life for us and it really should be his time to go.  We made an appointment with VCA the next day to take him to get euthanized at 3PM. Scott was at the house until noon for a home inspection and Sleepy was still awake.  By 2:30PM, when we went home to get him - he was not breathing and was already gone.   His body was hard - I was not surprised but I just wish we could be there for him.  He doesnt deserve to go alone....  Or maybe he just didnt want us to be there at all.  It was also so strange that he passed alone even though we have been in and out of the house more so than before.  We all miss him and all talk about him often.  It's not the same without him being here for us.   

Sleepy was the best.  Will always be loved and missed.