Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Bayja

Bayja

We love you and miss you more than words can say! 



She was our first baby.  She brought such life and love to our little family and she is truly missed.  On July 10, 2011 we had to let her go.  She had been losing weight little by little since February even though she ate and seemed normal, for an old girl.  While we were in St. George this last little while my Father who is a great veterinarian did all the tests he could do to see what was making her lose all the weight and some other symptoms she had been suffering.  In the end we came to realize that she had intestinal cancer in her small intestine and there was nothing we could do.  The cancer, up to that point was slowly starving her to death. We didn't notice right away.  What she ate was passing right though without being properly digested.  We had a hard decision to make, not one we came to easily, but we didn't want her to suffer any more and it was only going to get worse.
That Sunday was a beautiful morning in St. George.  It was a cool and a soft drizzle of rain was falling.  We sat on the back porch over looking the horses and said our good byes and held her for the last time.  She went so peacefully. 
We loved her so much, it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  How do you say good bye to one of the biggest parts of your life.



 Bayja at 2 months. 
She was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and we got her right after we finished school at Utah State and before we were to move to Colorado.  She was with us for each of our big adventures in life.  First big move, first house, all the births of our children, life changing directions (dental school).  She was a trooper and the best companion for all of it.



Our first family picture, August 2000.



Her first Halloween.
We only did this to her a few times, she really hated it, poor thing.


She was the best nap buddy.



Cole and Bayja
She was always on the look out for a yummy morsel to drop.


Her favorite things were, a game of fetch (she could go forever), FOOD, cuddling, and long walks.



We took this a couple of weeks before.  I wanted a picture with Bayja and the kids. 
This post was more for me than anything.


5 comments:

Jen J. said...

Such a sweet post. It is so hard letting go of your animals. They really become so much of your life. We will miss Bayja!

Erica said...

Oh I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sure she was loved beyond words.

Jen said...

I'm so sorry about your sweet doggie. She couldn't have had a better life with your family. I bet she'll miss you, too.

Lindsey Smith said...

I am sorry about Bayja. She was such a sweet dog and I know how much you guys loved her.

Kami said...

Sorry to hear about Bayja. Reading this post made me tear up a bit. I know how much you loved her. I remember the first time you brought her to our house after you got her. She was so tiny and all she wanted to do was play with the basketball... which was three times her size. :) She will be missed.