Of life and death: The story of Hannah and Trooper

[Clark2008]

June 8, 2007 started out as a wonderful day. My little Hannah was born at 7:49 a.m. tipping the scales at 8 pounds 11 ounces. She's a perfectly healthy little girl with a head full of dark hair, gray-blue eyes (that will change, I'm sure) and the cutest, chubbiest cheeks imaginable.









The surgery went remarkably well and I was in and out in less than 30 minutes - the mother of a precious baby girl.

As the day wore on and we were checked into a room for a weekend stay to recover, my husband went back home to feed the dogs and let them out. When he got to our home at about 7 p.m., he discovered that our dog, Trooper, who has been very ill with oral cancer, was bleeding all over the house, disoriented and shaken.

He tried to bathe him and medicate him to stop the bleeding, but the tumor was hanging out of his mouth and could no longer be shrunken back in with medication. So, at about 8 p.m., he called my room to ask what he should do. Holding a new life in my arms as she nursed, I had to make the decision to take the life of my oldest and dearest companion. I could not stand to see him suffering, even though I couldn't, literally, see him. Gavin had to take my poor baby to the after-hours emergency vet and have him put to sleep - he was in such bad shape, this vet's office, which normally charges outrageous fees, waived the euthanasia fee since he was dying on the spot. At 9 p.m., on what was the happiest day of his life, my husband was digging a grave in which to bury our old man.

It still hasn't all hit me, yet, but I'm sure God (or what ever power) planned for Trooper to hit his worst moment at a time when I literally could not see it - could not see his suffering - and would be numbed by medication so that the pain of losing him would not be so great. I knew the morning we left to go to the hospital, when he wouldn't get up to take breakfast, that his days were numbered. In fact, I knew he wouldn't last the weekend and told my husband so.

So, here's to Trooper and Hannah. The cycle of life continues:

[SharonRB]

1. Oh, Clark, I'm so happy and sad for you at the same time

I'm glad everything went well for Hannah's birth and I'm so sad about Trooper. It's always hard to lose a beloved pet, but it was his time -- it sounds like it was painful for him to keep him alive any longer. Gavin did the right thing. I'm just sorry you didn't even get to say goodbye.

You are so right about those cheeks! What an adorable little girl. Congratulations to you, Gavin and Ramsey. I'm sure Hannah will provide you with many, many years of joy and pride.

Now, get some rest -- your hours of sleep for the foreseeable future are numbered!

[WolverineDG]

2. Clark

:hug: for Hannah & :hug: for Trooper.

dg

[Patsy Stone]

3. Congratulations on your beautiful daughter

And and big hug for you on the loss of a great dog. :loveya: and :hug:

She's gorgeous, and her cheeks are absolutely the chubbiest, rosiest I've ever seen.

Thanks for the photos!

[SeattleGirl]

4. Welcome to the world, little Hannah.

And rest in peace, Trooper.

:hug: :hug: :hug: to you Clark, for both the new life in your world, and the one that just departed.

[CC]

5. Welcome to the world and the KOEB little Hannah.

We are all trying hard to make it a better place for you. Congrats Mom, Dad and Big Brother. Hannah is adorable, chubby cheeks and all. Ramzey looks like he is afraid of breaking her in that picture.

On Trooper, I am so sorry you have to say goodbye to an old friend and family member on the day Hannah was born. He did do what you ask of him though, stuck around until she was here. I know Trooper was loved by you all and he loved you. Try as you mourn him to remember all that love and that all dogs go to heaven.:hug:

[Berry Cool]

6. Not much I can add to this except to say congratulations, and you did the right thing.

It's got to be so hard to have so much happiness mixed in with so much sadness. Your Trooper was a dear but he had obviously come to the end and you have a wonderful man there, being able to take care of what needed to be done. Someday you will tell Hannah all about him.

Hannah is a darling and you, Gavin and Ramzey must be delighted. Enjoy her and know that we're always here to share in your joy.

[Botany]

7. Did I ever tell you that you are my Fav?

Please don't tell the others.

1) Please remember that the greatest gift you can
give to a life long buddy is to "stop the pain and
confusion" for your pet. Sadly, this does not mean
you will not have pain.

2) Congrats on Hannah's birth and the best to the
rest of your family & friends.

3) Snuggling is good thing.



4) Rev. Cheese is ready for diaper duty along w/
any other jobs you need done around the house.

5) Dog people are the best!

[Clark2008]

8. Thank you all.

I still go on little crying jags because I'm home now and I'll look around hunting for my Trooper and he's not there, but at least there's this big bundle of joy to make me turn around and smile again soon.

Don't know if any of you noticed, but Ramzey's button in the picture says, "I'm a Big Brother." And a big brother he is.

He was mad at Gavin for correcting him last night and said, "Well, I'll just go to Grandma and Papaws... and I'm taking Hannah with me." :rofl:

He did end up spending the night with them, though, because I have a new complication. The C section has caused me to get cellulitis. Not all that uncommon after surgery. It's a skin infection which makes me hurt more during recovery (a lot more - plus I have a fever). Doctor called me in some heavy-duty antibiotics and I'm already feeling somewhat better.

I tell you, I knew it would hurt more with the second section, but this is a bit more pain that I bargained for. Gavin's off for the week and helping and I hope to be able to do all that needs to be done by next week.

[Clark2008]

9. Hannah becomes an official member of the KOEB:

[SharonRB]

10. How cute!

Looks like that will fit her for a while.

Welcome to the KOEB, little Hannah.

:hug:

[Patsy Stone]

11. !!!

That is the cutest thing ever!

[CC]

12. I give her until August and that

will be getting on the tight side. I remember the watching grow right in front of your eyes thing. I know you have seen it before but can't wait to hear Gavin's take on it. Besides it doesn't matter how many times it is still amazing to watch how fast they grow. I would say that Hannah is officially the youngest EDV of the KOEB now. Keep posting pictures, She is so adorable.

[Berry Cool]

13. Someone needs to send these pix to Keith.

Let him know the newest member of his fan club will be there when the meeting comes to order tonight.

[bleever]

14. Congratulations

to you and your whole family.

:hug:

[AtomicKitten]

15. what a bittersweet day

Hello and goodbye.

I'm beyond words; yeah it can happen.

This is the first time the word "cyberhug" didn't seem so silly.

[Clark2008]

19. Thank you.

I should note that the picture of Trooper here was taken two days before he died. The tumor is slightly visible in his jaw (more of protrusion, making his "lips" look more full). I was testing the camera's batteries for Hannah's birth and swung it around to grab a shot of Trooper on the couch. Blood is visible on the couch cover I had him on.

I knew he wasn't going to be around long, so I did keep him at my side the whole time I was home on maternity leave prior to Hannah's birth. He's on the couch in my office in that picture. I normally kept him up on the first two floors (the main floor and our master bedroom suite, the third floor) and kept our bigger dogs - Snap and Scarlett - in my office (it's a big room for big dogs). But, knowing that Trooper's days were numbered, I'd let the big dogs out in the backyard to play most of the day and bring Troop down here with me while I blogged or wrote.

I didn't get to say one final "goodbye" to him since I was in the hospital - but I did have a prolonged four-week "goodbye" since I was home on leave. Again, must be symmetry because I started going into labor at 34 weeks, which forced my doctor to pull me from work only to NEVER have contractions again past 36 weeks. I got to stay at home with my sick boy for a month before he passed and thanks to Hannah.

[Uncle Joe]

16. Congratulations Clark, you have a beautiful baby.

:)

[DeepModem Mom]

17. She's beautiful, Clark, and your son's a very handsome guy!

Congrats to the entire family, condolences on the loss of your beloved pet -- and do feel better soon!

[ralps]

18. Awwww Hannah's cute & Hugs to your family Clark2008

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :grouphug: :hug:

[RevCheesehead]

20. Oh, how sad!

I'm welling up here, in sympathy.
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Trooper. :hug:


Your daughter is as gorgeous as I imagined she would be. And Ramzey makes an EXCELLENT big brother!!

[bunny planet]

21. She's beautiful!! Your son looks so sweet holding his new baby sister.

But wow, I'm so sorry about your Trooper. Sounds like he knew that his passing would have been too much for you to witness and too much to deal with when an infant was on its way home. They just know these things.

KIss those chubby little cheeks, aren't those the best!