I "inherited" Peachy from a previous relationship when she was 3 yrs old.  Over the years she became my best friend.  She saw me through many of lifes problems.  She was always there for me.  She would wait for me to come home from work then sit with me through the evening.  She was always at my side or lying on me.

She would look at me with this deep look, as if she really did understand everything I said to her.  She had this cute way of tilting her head when I would speak with her.

As the years went on and she started showing signs of age, she would let me know if I was up to late.  Then I would pick her up, she would drape herself over my shoulder and I would carry her to bed where she would lay in her corner until I feel asleep.  If I slept in, she would let me know by lying on my side and pawing me in the face until I woke up to feed her.

On June 23rd I came home from work and found her to be breathing heavily.  I rushed her to the vet where she was found to be in pulmonary edema.  The vet gave her some lasix and gave me options but her prognosis was very poor.  So I took her home and spent one last  night with her.  She never left my side that night.  In the morning I took her back to the vet.  I made the most heart wrenching yet also the most loving decision to end her suffering.  Although I wanted her around forever, we all know that  is not possible.  The vet performed an autopsy which showed severe cardiomyopathy, which, as a nurse, I know can be a very difficult illness to live with.  She had a great 17 years, I loved spoiling her, esp. at the end.

I miss her very much.  The first two nights were horrible as I constantly looked for her, esp at bedtime.  Now that it is two weeks later, I am comfortable with my decision.  I am also glad I chose to stay with her until the end as I saw the peace in her face.  I know she is with my dad and they will both be at the Rainbow Bridge someday to welcome me home.  I only hope I can go as peacefully as she did.

Thank you Peachy for your love all these years!  Can't wait to see you guys again someday!
Thank you to Antietam Valley Animal Hospital for all their help and support over the years!