I left on a business trip Monday morning. Missy wasn't doing so well then, she was peeing in the house, we had her on antibiotics for an apparent bladder infection (unable to confirm because they couldn't get any urine out of her), she was listless and not cleaning herself any more.

She refused food and water while I was gone. Mrs. FT took her to the vet yesterday and they gave Missy a steroid shot to see if that would help. I came home today (Thursday), we put some food in front of her, but she just licked at it, then she got up, stumbled, poked her nose in her water bowl a couple times, but didn't drink, then walked a couple steps and laid down.

We took her to the vet and found she had lost a pound in the last week (from 13.5 to 12.5 lbs) and of course was very dehydrated. The vet said the only thing we could try would be to ultrasound her tumor, then *IF* there was fluid build up in a place they could reach with a needle, they could try to suck the fluid out. Of course they'd have to use anesthesia to stick the needle in, and there was a better than even chance she wouldn't even survive the anesthesia. The vet felt there was less than a 10% chance they could really help her, and even then it would mean regular visits (and anesthesia) to have the fluid drained.

So we decided it was time. They put an IV in and administered the drugs. The vet had said it could take up to a minute for her heart to stop beating, but the vet barely got her stethoscope under Missy before her heart stopped. It couldn't have been more than 10 seconds.

We know we made the right choice. She was suffering, and quality of life was gone. It doesn't make it any easier though. She was a trooper, and we had her far longer than we thought we would when we first found the tumor.

Rest in peace, Missy, rest in peace.