Onyx was my first dog. She was a black lab mixed with Australian shepherd. We got her when she was 10 weeks old and she was so tiny that her toys were most of the time bigger than she was. She loved every person she saw and loved to be pet and loved on. She would give hugs, and just knew when I needed them. She was a cuddler and loved to sleep right next to me. When my husband moved in with me (prior to us getting married) she bonded with him almost instantaneously. She was not a fan of car rides, but if she could be with me, that is all she wanted.

My poor baby has pre-mature degenerative disc disease which we did not know about. One day she was not chasing her ball and we thought that was odd so we took her to the vet. Our normal vet was not there, so another vet took a look at her. He told us she pulled a muscle and that she would be fine. Later that night she work up in absolute pain. I gave her a pain med, stayed awake with her until she went to sleep, and then fell asleep myself. The next morning she had issues getting off the bed, so I lifted her out of the bed and put her on the floor. She could not put any weight on her back legs. We immediately took her to the hospital where they said she actually sustained a spinal cord injury. They said that surgery could help her so we opted for that. We played with her until the surgery and she was acting perfectly fine except for not putting weight on her back legs. When it was time for the surgery, we said goodbye to her and started to leave. It was then she let out this scream as if to say do not leave me! It crushed me.

About a half hour after the surgery, the doctor told us her damage was severe and that the swelling was so bad that in a few weeks she would not be able to breathe anymore on her own and she would have to be put down. I could not believe it! She was only 5 years old and I was not ready to lose my baby. I sat with her and talked to her until she passed. It was one of the worst days of my life.

I love you baby girl and I cannot wait until I see you again! Your daddy and I think about you everyday and I feel you with me when I could use one of your famous hugs. Have fun at the bridge and know that when it is time...I will be able to play catch with your football with you and give you that hug. Love you!!!