I had a Golden Retriever, Strider, that had a heat stroke because he got tangled up and couldn't get out of the Texas sun, nor reach his water. My wife was in false labor and we had gone to the hospital. Once we got back home and found my dog, I couldn't get the car started and had to go beg a neighbor to take the dog and me to the Vet. I had to put him to sleep. I still feel guilty because I had chained him up outside and never dreamed this would happen. This has been 20 years, and I still get a lump in my throat when I think about him and all the fun we used to have.
Strider was a frisbee dog and would run though the house searching for his frisbee when he saw my car pull in the driveway after work. I kept a big washtub full of water outside for both our dogs to drink out of, thinking that the larger amount of water would keep it a little cooler. We were putting in a yard at our new house, so the back yard was still mostly dirt. Whenever Strider would miss the frisbee and it would be all muddy, he would take it over to the washtub, drop it in, step on it so that it went to the bottom, and then stick his head in and get it out, all washed clean and ready for another throw.
I still miss that dog terribly, and yep, here come those tears again.
I'm sorry to hear about Lady. It is not easy, but take solace in the fact that she is no longer suffering and is running around in heaven waiting for you.
Big Hugs......Laurie
