Dear Friends and Family,

Many of you probably do not know that Kord was diagnosed with DM back in Sept 2016. If you know anything of the disease you know it is not something that can be overcome. The course of DM ranges from about six months to a year before a dog is paraplegic, losing complete function of the rear limbs.

With this prognosis we had to set some milestone.

His age was the biggest factor. He had just turned 10. Part of what I put down to old age and arthritis was, while certainly there, not the big picture. 

With his age, health and the prognosis we had no choice but to put in conditions for his well being. The bottom line was dignity and no heroics.

Quality not quantity.

As we were told he became weaker in the rear. He was over compensating for this weakness by using the front end to support the back. Over the past few months his front end has started to show the strain.

We slowed his play down, we assisted with getting up on comfortable furniture, we took our bed and his settee off the frame and feet. Anything to make it easier on his body. We had to do this because, even at 10, even with a body that was letting him down he refused, flat our refuses, to heed the words…

SLOW…. DOWN.

Slow is not in his vocabulary. There are balls to chase, Frisbee’s to catch and keep away will always be the best game ever. Not to mention his obsession with having to be right there when I sweep a floor. I never did figure that one out.

On March 14^th, he reached that last milestone. He refused to go down the stairs, he fell eating his breakfast, he went off into another world where he did not hear me and growled at the wall. After calling his name softly for a bit he was once again my bright beautiful boy. And what I saw in his eyes was confusion. What I felt in my heart was excruciating pain as it broke. I left him comfortable with Kevin while I went to work knowing damn well what had to be done when I got home. I talked with Kevin and we agreed it was time. I made the phone call and the date was set.

We just hit the 6th month mark.

I cannot tell you how many times he has fallen since we made the decision on the 14th. This silent killer is taking over his body more and more every day. And while I am writing this knowing the time is coming I still spent the day terrified he is going to break a leg or a hip. He spent 80% of his day laying on the couch. We helped him up and down. He gets whatever he wants in terms of food. His allergies are no longer the problem they were so the heck with it. We will eat cake!

So this is it. In few hours I will be driving to the vets to sign him in for the time. Today we let him go.

This journey of 10 years was shared not just between Kevin, Kord and I, but with all of you, or most of you, as well. You shared the ups and the downs. You lent ears and advice. You supported both visibly and silently. And we thank you.

Jump for joy in the water, eat cake and chase frisbee's forever baby boy, we will miss you.

Love,

Dawn and Kevin