Yesterday, I lost my heart dog, Bones, to kidney failure. I met him and fell in love four years ago when I visited Scooby Medina in Spain, June, 2017. Here's the story of how we met.
He was very sick, with Leishmaniasis and heart worms, and they did not think that he would live. But I wanted to adopt him and try to help him with good medical care, so I asked for permission to bring him to the U.S.A. Was able to do so in early October of 2017. Here's the story.
This is my tribute to my beloved Bonesy, for whom I am shedding tears of sorrow every day.
From the moment that my Scooby friend, Melissa, introduced me to Bones, I fell in love with him and could not stop thinking about him. He was the most handsome Spanish Galgo, with his long nose, floppy ears, long tail, and sleek physique. Although quite thin, he had been on meds for over a month and was rehabilitating from Leishmaniasis, a horrible disease, which is a parasite passed on by sand flies in the Mediterranean. I later learned that he was from Murcia, in the South of Spain, and was taken to a rescue group who then gave him to Scooby in Medina del Campo, for transport and treatment at the sanctuary. They did not think that he would live, because his kidneys were failing so severely. After I met him and wanted to adopt him, I returned home to California, and inquired about adopting him, along with researching how to care for him, once I brought him home. Everything worked out, and I returned to Spain in September, 2017, to get him.
My regular vet and an Internal Medicine vet in San Jose helped to diagnose the right meds and food to help him recover and maintain. We had almost four wonderful years together.
A few months ago, I noticed that he was losing weight. He began to get picky about eating and often did not want to eat his two regular meals each day. A couple of months ago, he had a physical and blood tests, indicating that his kidneys were failing, Our vet recommended that he see an Internal Medicine vet, once again. With COVID-19, vet visits have been quite a challenge, as the demand is great, and it's difficult to get an appointment. We were on a wait list and able to get in a couple of weeks later. The vet determined that he was in Stage 4 of kidney failure and prescribed meds, supplements and subcutaneous fluids. It worked pretty well for at least five weeks, but we had to get more and more clever about what to feed him, as he did not want to eat much.
A week ago, it became clear that he was declining severely, not eating, losing more weight, drinking lots of water, peeing a lot, horrible breath, and sometimes diarrhea and throwing up. You know in your heart of hearts when they are leaving, and I just knew that our time was short.
Yesterday, he rallied earlier in the day, walking circles through the house and yard, visiting with us, somewhat disoriented, but seeming to want to see and experience everything, and to say, "Goodbye". I called a mobile vet who was to come at 2 p.m. today to put him to rest. Then, about 7:30 p.m. Bones declined severely, trying to lay down and falling down. His back legs completely gave out. After he took a bad fall in the backyard, I called our regular vet for an emergency visit. We took him in at 9:30 p.m. It was awful for my husband to have to pick him up and put him in the back of the car, as he was in so much pain. We sat on the tailgate with him until they brought the gurney around to take him in. We were in a private room for a while to say goodbye, and then the vet came in. She was kind and it was peaceful and quick, as she gave him one shot to sedate him, and then another that stopped his heart. We were looking into each others eyes as he left, and we told him how much we loved him and would miss him. In a few seconds, he was completely free. We hugged and kissed him and took his collars for our dog memorial shrine, and then left with our broken hearts. We did the right thing, and we know it. It's never easy, but when it's time, it is time.
Celebrating Who Bonesy Was
No one ever would have guessed how much character Bonesy had, and it came out, day by day, as he lived his happy new life with us.
He was silly and loved to goof around and tease with me by smiling, laughing, barking and pretend nibbling at me. He used to tuck between my legs when I was standing, like a little horse. He liked to play with toys and balls, He never barked or sang at Scooby, but he did with us and his pack here. His bark was a very deep and loud hound bark, like a lion's roar. He loved running like the wind in our back and front yards, and loved to frolic. He loved treats and food and hanging out in the kitchen to see what I was cooking, My favorite was that he would always come up behind me in the kitchen to nudge me from behind to let me know that he was there. He was pure love, coming to me many times each day and burying his head in my lap for love, cuddles and pets. He liked to sleep with us many nights, and just wanted to be around us all of the time.
Bonesy was love and he was possibly one of the most beloved Galgos who has ever lived. He has an Instagram account,,which we will keep to preserve his legacy. He has many fans and admirers from around the World. He was a humble, gentle soul, a true gentleman, and we shall miss him forever and ever, until we meet again on the other side.
Hasta Luego, my beloved Bonesy. Rest well, my love, until I see you again, as you nudge me to let me know that we are together again.
