What You Need to Know to Help Your Dog Survive a Gun Shot Wound

A week and a half ago, the worst week of my life started to unfold as I found my beautiful and energetic Labrador Retriever lifeless after being shot near the heart. If I had to do things all over again from the moment I found her, I would.

Frantic, I drove the Chillicothe Animal Clinic. The good news is they quickly got her life restored. The bad thing is they were too money hungry and eager to push surgery for unrelated treatment and failed to communicate beyond the critical 48 hour stage.

If I knew I had time, I would have walked out the moment one of the vets told me, "we need a $250 deposit before we will work on her."

I was direct. "You get working on my dog, and you will get paid." I was worried about this from this point on. As they stabilized Kayleigh and restored lost blood and fluids, the female vet that worked on her came and talked to me. She gave her a 50/50 chance of living and the next 48 hours were the most critical.

What I have come to learn is the next 96 hours are the most critical and on average, day four to five after your pet has been shot has death waiting in the wings if you aren't prepared. I wasn't prepared because when I returned last Monday to visit with Kayleigh and find out how she was doing after the weekend, the vet told me she was looking good from the gun shot but immediately began focusing on another concern. There was fluid on her stomach and the vet was convinced it was a from a cancerous tumor. Without any evidence to prove where the tumor was at, if there was really a tumor, she wanted to start exploratory surgery immediately.

My first concern was whether or not, just over 48 hours after being shot was if she was strong enough to go through surgery. I had my doubts, so I didn't allow the surgery to take place. Rather I got a second opinion and a third opinion. You see, I was so focused on the cancer scare thinking after 48 hours we were in the clear, that I wasn't prepared for what was about to strike my dog.

Today, I visited with Dr. Mike Divine in Ozark, Missouri. He had been Kayleigh's veterinarian over the past few years. I went in to thank him, but what he disclosed to me should have been told to me before I ever left with Kayleigh last Monday. Had I heard what he said, I would have left Kayleigh in the clinic for another few days.

When your pet has been shot, skin, fur, and dirt are pushed into the body. These foreign parts begin to create a super infection. If the dog isn't properly treated with strong anti-biotics, then the infection is going to kill your dog.

Kayleigh was throwing up, and every pill that I forced down her came up. So, I would have to dig through her vomit, pull the pills out, and force them down again. While I well understood the possibility of infection and the need for antibiotics, the reality of the situation was never explained to me nor did I stop and think about it. I was focused on on the wrong things--the cancer scare, which according to a second vet, he never felt a tumor within her.

Knowing the battle with the pills, I would have asked that she received the anti-biotics were delivered directly to her blood stream to fight the infection rather than fight her to get them down. Like I said, the vet was worried about tumor that she wasn't even sure it was there than addressing what the next few days were going to be like. I don't want you to have to go through the same pain if your dog gets past the point of surviving the first part of the gun shot.

If your dog gets shot, and you are working to save its life, you need to understand the infection possibilities and how crucial it is to make sure the anti-biotics are kicking in before day four.

The Chillicothe Animal Clinic never followed up with me. They never shared their concerns for this villain that was waiting to kill my dog. Had they have shared with me that day four or so is the critical point of the antibiotics, I would have left Kayleigh in their care. They were more worried about opening up for cancer than fighting infection, and that of course sent my mind in another direction.

I would never take another animal back to that clinic.

The Best of Kayleigh in Video

Kayleigh was my beautiful and energetic Labrador Retriever who was foolishly taken before her time at the hands of someone with a 22 caliber rifle. Over the past year, Kayleigh and I went out on a number of adventures in many states, hiking, camping, and enjoying the freedom of being outside. Here's a collection of videos featuring the best of Kayleigh.



















Sadly, the last video two days before her death as I was hopeful she would survive the gunshot.

In Honor of Kayleigh: Saving a Dog From Its Shelter Life (Canines 'n Cats)

Kayleigh the day after she was needlessly shot.

I have shed so many tears this weekend. My best friend of seven years died on my lap on Wednesday of last week. Kayleigh was such a special dog, and the bond we shared was special. Those who saw us together understood the friendship, trust, and admiration we had for each other. There has been a great void in my life in the days that have followed.

It has been hard to go home. The house doesn't feel like a home without Kayleigh's energy and presence there. She isn't there to greet me at the door with her tail wagging 90 to nothing. There are no good night kisses from that long tongue that someone had the most sophisticated radar system in the world, hitting the lips 99% of the time no matter how much I tried to break her from that habit.

I have been contacted this week by so many friend whose lives where touched by her. As I shared stories through the internet about Kayleigh, people who had never met this wonderful spirit cried as they followed the entries from the time I shared that some soulless person shot her in the chest. They prayed with me for her recovery and watched hopefully each day as I updated entries.

In the end, I believe Kayleigh knew her time on earth was coming quickly to an end. I realized upon bringing her home that she just wanted a few more hours of getting her belly rubbed, her hind legs scratched, her head patted, and of course the beautiful surrounding of the country fields and the forests I introduced her to after removing her from her city life in Chicago. I think she wanted to come home to be with me. She needed to know that I would be okay.

In those final days, those familiar eyes that met mine with such dedication hoping for affirmations looked down to the ground--timid and lethargic. They met mine only twice after taking her home two and a half days after I found her near death and rushed her to the pet hospital.

After bringing her home on Monday, I decided to seek a second opinion on her health. I drove to another vet. Kayleigh loved to ride in the car and she hated getting left in the car, which was usually a battle to keep her in the car. When we got to the vet's office, she didn't want to get out. I got the feeling she was telling me no more poking and prodding, but of course I didn't want to believe that because we had gotten past the critical 48 hour mark. She jumped back and forth for seat to seat, and when I folded down one of the seats, she went under it and pushed it up with her head locking it in place. She gave me an "I win" look.

The final time was when she was dying in my lap. I looked down at her and told her I wasn't going to be selfish anymore and that it was okay for her to go as I stroked her beautiful head between her brown floppy ears. She looked up at me at that moment for a minute as she was clearly suffering. She then stood up one final time, choked, tried to cough it up, and collapsed dead. I doubt I see anything anymore painful than that in my lifetime.

I have spoken to a lot of dog owners who I know had similar relationships with their dogs. My friend Leon Edmonds lost his dog Chaos after years of dedication to each other. He said he was miserable for three weeks and it wasn't getting better. He described his house without Chaos and it felt like mine, you don't even want to be there.

As I remember those last days with Kayleigh, I believe she wanted to be there for me to help me find peace with the inevitable. Knowing this, I don't think Kayleigh wants me to mope and be unhappy, so on Saturday, I dropped by Canines and Cats, a no-kill shelter in Ozark, Missouri, and decided to give a few dogs someone to play with for a couple hours and see if there was a dog that I could save from the shelter in honor of Kayleigh.

As I watched Kayleigh over the last year as we hiked and enjoyed a country existence, I always believed we had at least five good years left. She was healthy and energetic and as she approached her eighth birthday, she showed no signs in slowing down. In fact, she was enjoying life more than ever. Since I was prepared to pamper and spoil her into her golden years, I shouldn't let that enthusiasm die with her.

After talking to a few people, I have decided to save a dog and give that dog a great life. I have found two that I think are compatible, and if I could I would probably try to save them all. I have such a big heart of dogs. I can't, so I have to make a tough decision with puppy dog eyes are demanding my attention with Donkey's (Shrek) enthusiasm. Pick me! Pick me!

It breaks my heart to have found out many of these dogs are in their second year of living at the shelter and are looking for good homes. So in honor of Kayleigh, I am going to adopt an older dog, like Mark Levin, the famous radio host did with Sprite.

I don't expect this dog to be a replacement for Kayleigh. Those are tough shoes to fill. I just want to spread the joy of Kayleigh's life to a pet that needs a home and deserves a better life.

So with that said, let me introduce to you to the two dogs that I enjoyed and could share that love with.

Meet Valerie

Valerie is very loving and playful and wanted lots of attention and was affectionate in return when given attention. She's a beautiful dog, but I do worry this climate is too warm for her and might not enjoy hiking with me in the warmer months.

Maverick

Maverick is sweet, playful, and of course familiar. I purposely put off meeting him just because I wanted to give other dogs a fair chance to show me their personal side. He is a yellow lab just like Kayleigh, so you can understand why I hesitated a little in offering my friendship, but he was the most playful and energetic and it felt comfortable to be near him. He even got a ride in the convertible to see how he would do.

I will be going back to the shelter in a few minutes to enjoy more time with these two dogs and others later this morning. I just feel at this time the best way to honor Kayleigh is to offer a dog in need the love I planned to share with her over the next few years as she aged gracefully.

In honor of Kayleigh, I ask anyone looking for a new friend to look at a shelter like Canines 'n Cats and consider giving one of these animals a loving home. If you can't do that, at least consider a donation.

To the Bastard on Windy Ridge Road, Chillicothe, Ohio That Shot My Dog

To the bastard living on Windy Ridge Road in Chillicothe, OH who shot my Labrador Retreiver, Kayleigh. may your sould be robbed of the same happiness that you took from me.

Goodbye My Friend

I am packing my car, ready to head back to Missouri. One less passenger will be coming home with me. Thousands of miles we have traveled together and today I leave my Kayleigh behind.

It's getting tougher the more I put in the car as her grave is just a couple hundred feet from the driveway. I have walked over there many times today still in disbelief this powerful, strong, and energetic friend was foolishly taken from me.

My buddy Mike promised me he will care for her grave, and his great girlfriend Anna plans to grow flowers where the dirt covers her lifeless body.

It's going to be along ride home today. I won't have to stop to walk her, something that sometimes was frustrating as she would always be so picky about where she wanted to leave her mess. It could take upwards of several minutes to find what she was looking for. I never figured it out. On cold days, she always went quickly.

I hope in the miles that pass today, they are therapeutic as I leave my friend behind to rest. I hope I find closure in her death, which needn't happen. She didn't deserve a bullet, no dog does.

So as I drive off, a final goodbye until I return one day to visit with perhaps the best friend anyone could ask for and that is my best friend since college, Mike Stotlemyre. We sat on the front porch last night reflecting on life and how much our four-legged friends make our lives better as we drank Killians. He understood where I was, as a few years ago, he lost his little girl suddenly and tragically, as she was hit by a car. Hit other dog, Peanut came back to the house, barking--demanding his attention--trying to get Mike to give her comfort.

Pets touch our lives far beyond what we realize until they are gone. Thank you for letting me share with you this past week my feelings for my pretty girl, Kayleigh, and letting me grieve over her loss.

Kayleigh Offered a Little Comic Relief in Her Final Days

One of the words I have used to describe Kayleigh is clown. She had a good spirit about her that was often comical because she was an intelligent and sometimes hard-headed. Also, her tongue hanging out with this innocent look that screamed "I didn't do it" didn't help either.

After I took her home on Monday after her weekend stay at the Chillicothe Animal Hospital, I felt the need to get a second opinion about her condition, so I drove her to Dr. Thomas Tharps office. I could tell after a tough weekend, she was probably tired of being poked and prodded, but I still believed she was a survivor and wanted to live. Perhaps my first sign was offered in a funny moment.

The great staff at Dr. Tharp's office asked me to be there at 4:30. So I put Kayleigh in the car and jumped on US23. As I got to the US35/23 junction and wicked downpour hit the road. I slowed down because I don't like driving in the heavy rain. I eventually got to the exit and found Dr. Tharps office. The rain continued. I talked to Kayleigh telling her what the plan was, but she obviously didn't concur. I tried to get her to come across the car and exit on the driver's door side, but she fought me.

I was getting soaked. I closed the door and headed to her door. She jumped to the driver's side seat, fought me, and I became drenched. Then I had a plan. I folded the passenger seat down, closed the door, and walked over to the other side. When I opened the door, Kayleigh jumped to the folded seat, butted her head up against it, locking the seat to it's normal position, and gave me a look "I win."

That was the first time I felt that maybe she was telling me no more. Let me be.

I did manage to get her out of the car, and she showed a little more life once we got into the building introducing herself once again as the ultimate doggy diplomat to an Irish Setter. Soon we were taken back to the operatory and Dr. Tharp gave me excellent news about her health. He said he didn't believe she had a tumor and wouldn't recommend surgery based on her condition.

I felt we were going to make it. Little did I know we were entering her final 48 hours.

Kayleigh a couple months before she died ready to hike the
Ozarks Highland Trail in Arkansas.

Feeling Much Guilt Today

This has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. Losing my dog Kayleigh has hurt more than I ever imagined, and I am feeling so much guilt today. It was about a week ago this time that I last saw her strong, healthy, and energetic.

She wanted so badly to go with me that day. I had to get a hair cut in town, and she walked with me out to the car wanting so badly to get in the car and go for a ride. She loved riding in the car, but I always hated the hair she left in the car that I could never completely remove it. I told her no, she wasn't going. I got in the car and drove off. I trusted she would stay in the yard. I had begun to train her and trust her to stay in the yard and she was doing so well. For some reason, something must have gotten her attention that day.

For the past seven plus years, I was an overprotective parent, always concerned about her safety. She was an innocent child in a mean world, and I always went out of my way to protect her. Being out in the country and watching her happy within the boundaries of property, I never imagined what I would come home to.

I feel so much guilt today.

Kayleigh: My Pretty Girl

Here are some more pictures I recently found of my pretty girl, Kayleigh, who passed away from complications from a gun shot wound on Wednesday.

Kayleigh's Bark and the 6' Foot Wind Chimes

Kayleigh resting in her new Plainfield home.

In November 2004, I moved into a new house in Plainfield, Illinois. It was typical suburbia, a neighborhood full of life with kids, people in their backyards, and neighbors everywhere. Of course, being late to the game, we were considered the outsiders since most of the homeowners were first generation homeowners.

Reagan

Kayleigh was a spoiled rotten Labrador Retriever who now had a brother. I rescued a Basset-beagle that I named Reagan. Reagan was a beautiful dog with his own personality, but he was far more independent than Kayleigh, but he still wanted to be loved. They were a fun combo non the less for the short time Reagan was in our lives. He was an escape artist and managed to play Houdini from his tie out multiple times. Most of the time, were were able to find him, but the story doesn't end happily. I hope Reagan found himself a nice home.

Anyway, our back yard featured a public greenway that encouraged people to play near our backyard, as well kids often cut through our yard to save a minute or too. The problem was the only thing greed about the greenway was the mowed grass. There were no trees, and all noises echoed off the templated suburbia homes.

So when summer came, the masses of kids would come to the greenway. I bet you can see what is coming.

Kayleigh and Reagan played hard together. They were quick and precise in their movements in the house and never tipped anything over when they played, but the thunder of the back and forth made it hard for me to study, so the practical thing to do would be slow them down and put them on a tie out in the back yard.

Now a couple things happened. First, Kayleigh was mischievous in a good sort of way. It came from her playfulness, her size, and of course her appetite. Like any good and loving pet owner, I always tried to make sure she had water when she was outside. Kayleigh liked to play with the bowl, so the water got tipped and she went without.

And of course, Kayleigh being my own personal protector, which is a part she volunteered for, barked when kids were playing in what she thought was our territory, which happened to be the greenway. Now for some reason, after five or six years of these houses being built, no one felt the need to plant trees. So Kayleigh and Reagan's barks would echo off the houses. Of course they weren't the only dogs, but for some reason, being the outsiders in the neighborhood, we were easy targets.

The first time I learned this was a problem was when Plainfield police showed up at my door noting a complaint. I told them I would work to comply to find a solution. It was off the Walmart on 59 a half mile away or so to buy bark collars. They didn't exactly work to well. During the first time out, I left Kayleigh and Reagan on the tie out. When I came back to check on them an hour later, Kayleigh was shaking miserably. It turns out that something, which I believe was her ID and rabies tags clanging against each other was sending the negative enforcement through her body--shocking her. I couldn't do that to her, so it was off with the bark collars. I returned them to Walmart. The barking started again.

A few days later, a letter showed up in the mail addressed to the residents of 1301 Green Trails Drive. I opened the letter up only to listen to the rant of a cowardly neighbor complaining about the barking all the while accusing me of being cruel to my two beautiful dogs. Noted in the letter was how they had to fill the water bowls up, and of course Kayleigh looked at the water bowls more as a toy than something with real purpose. It was a real insult, especially since we were working on limiting the barking, which we were far better and bringing them in or correcting their behavior, but more so because someone anonymously decided to cry animal abuse when it wasn't even close to the truth. Both these dogs were spoiled rotten and both of them deserved the spoils.

You know, I feel a dog's life is short, so you have to let them enjoy as many days of it as you can.

What to do, what to do? I wanted to know who wrote the letter. So I figured out a way to drag the anonymous letter writer out from hiding.

First, I got onto Limewire and searched for sound effects. I found fart sound effects. I loaded them on my small Creative flash memory MP3 player and set it to endless loop. I then unhooked my small Bose speakers from my computer and placed both of them in the window seal with the window cracked. Soon the echos of farts were bouncing off the treeless homes.

After a day or two of this, I got a visit from the Plainfield Police. Luckily I didn't have it one when they showed up, or I could have been cited for not having a PA license. I had to resort to a new plan, so it was off to Walmart to find the most annoying wind chimes I could find. Since all the bedrooms were on one side of the house, I figured I could hang them over the other side of the house and not worry about having to hear them at night.

So when I got to Walmart, I didn't just find wind chimes, I found WIND CHIMES. These were wind chimes from hell--6 foot at it's longest. They were just the solution, and I don't think anyone had ever been cited for wind chimes before. Of course you never know in America these days.

So I rushed home, got the ladder out of the garage and began hanging my wind chimes. The clanging of the chimes was instant. It wasn't a sound that was going to be well accepted in the neighborhood. Within moments, the young eye-candy next door came out in her typical bikini top and tight shorts with a video camera filming me hanging up my wind chimes. I now knew who wrote the letter, but that didn't stop me from hanging the other chimes I bought. It wasn't untell she asked me "what the f-bomb my problem was" that I engaged in conversation with her.

I asked her "did you write the letter."

She responded, "what if I was."

I noted that sounded like guilt and asked her why, since she had no problem talking to us in the past as a friendly neighbor, she just couldn't knock on our door and work with us. I noted we have tried working with the dogs, and noted the bark collars shocking the hell out of Kayleigh. She admitted to writing the letters, and I told her I didn't appreciate her claiming my dogs are abused when they are clearly not.

She mentioned that she had to give them water in the past. I told her, I am constantly filling Kayleigh's bowl, but for some reason, she tips it over and plays with it. That's not a sign of abuse. That's a sign of a well taken care of dog that is happy and wants to play.

She apologized for the letter.

The wind chimes came down, and I took them back to Walmart. I never heard another complaint about the barking, but noted many times it wasn't just Kayleigh and Reagan who were guilty. There were quite a few dogs in that neighborhood that were stimulated by the greenway.

Kayleigh in Forgotten Pictures

I have my favorite pictures of Kayleigh. I have shared many of those with you. Here are some pictures that I have overlooked as I tell her story to help me get through my grieving.

From Baby Doll to Kayleigh, Yes Her First Name Was Baby Doll

In September 2003 took a job working for Kodak as a sales rep in Southwest Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. About that same time, I began dating a girl named Julie. We had been going out casually for a number of weeks when her ex-husband gave her son a puppy.

I remember the first time I saw "Baby Doll." She was on the front porch, looking sad and unwanted, desperately wanting to be part of something. That was always her nature. If you were doing it, she wanted to be part of it. When I got into her small house near Pleasant Hope I figured out why she was on the front porch, but I was concerned for the puppy's safety since she lived on a county highway.

There was trash scattered from one end of the house to the other. It was a disaster and this puppy was the tornado that ripped through the garbage spreading it everywhere. Poor Julie was not happy, and she spent an hour that night cleaning, while I played with the tornado. I loved that puppy, and this probably didn't do much for the relationship. It was obvious it was going nowhere, but I still wanted to see the puppy. So I made an effort to still try to find time to see Julie to play with "Baby Doll."

The last time I went over there, the landlord discovered little "Baby Doll" and told Julie she had to get rid of the puppy. I thought nothing more of it because I assumed the ex-husband was going to take the puppy back from what I put together.

When 2004 came, so did the puppy. Julie called me. Either you take the "Baby Doll" or she's going to the pound. I said bring her over, but I refuse to call her "Baby Doll."

Soon the black Nissan truck pulled up and out jumped the tornado. I have to tell you, judging from the damage I saw at Julie's house I was a little bit nervous. I quickly let her know who was in charge and started giving her structure. Of course "Baby Doll" who had just became Kayleigh responded because someone was paying attention to her. Of course, I had a lot of figuring out to do. The logistics of having a puppy was going to be tough. After all, I was due in Atlanta for sales training in a few days, and then I was hitting the road with appointments in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Of course, I was a single guy who was a windshield warrior and a frequent flier.

Not only that, but I was planning on returning to school in September to finish my degree, and I had just applied for the University of Illinois Chicago. I really hadn't thought this puppy thing over, but I wasn't willing to let Kayleigh go to the pound, nor was I willing to not find a way. I have always been one who makes things happen in life.

I didn't want to think about these things. I wanted to play with my new pup, so I called my best friend from high school and asked if his kids wanted to see the puppy and take it to play at the park in Springfield. Plus I needed to hit PetSmart, and dogs are always welcome at PetSmart. This could be a way to attract women, I thought.

So picked up the kids and we drove to Springfield. I got it a crate, bowls, collars, food, and everything it needed. This puppy thing was expensive. Of course, I bought the crate and hated crating her, so that didn't last long--not to mention she grew out of it in the first few weeks and I need the next size up.

So I collared her up and we were off the Springfield Lake bike path to walk my new dog. I always wanted a dog that would walk calmly by my side and provide that companionship. Kayleigh was not that dog. She was a puller, and no matter how hard I tried to break it the harder she pulled. The one thing you probably know about Kayleigh after today is she was very hard headed. The smells along the trail always got the best of her, and the fight was on. This only changed in her last days of life, when I walked in front and she walked behind. Of course yesterday, we finally got it right, and a few hours later she had collapsed in the front yard.

I figured out what to do in Atlanta. Arrianne, my friends older daughter, said she would watch Kayleigh while I was away. I have to tell you it was hard to leave my little puppy, but I had a new responsibility to provide for. The entire time I was in Atlanta, I wanted to be with my puppy. I shared her picture with all my co-workers and told them this story. The day to fly home couldn't come soon enough, but just one problem, I had to be in Tulsa early the next day.

I went to Travis's house, picked up Kayleigh from Arrianne and battled about what to do with her while I was in Tulsa. So, I packed up the car, put in the dog food and bowls, and brought her with me. I drove to Miami right after getting off the airplane in Springfield. I found a hotel, but never asked about dogs. I just said I will sneak her in once I get checked in and hope nobody looks in my car as I check in.

My plan worked perfectly. I checked in, and then I went back to may car, stuffed my puppy in my coat and dragged everything in. Now I had to worry about her bark. For the first few times we did this, Kayleigh didn't bark. However, I wasn't always that lucky. So I learned how to muffle the bark while I was on the road.

It was always a challenge, but the dividend paid off. Before every sales demo, I would pull up next to the window of the office so everyone could see me. I would pull Kayleigh out put her on the leash and walk her. Then I would put her back in the car--it was still cool. The first question I was always asked...

Is that your puppy. I scored points.

Yeah I know, I shouldn't use my puppy like that, but I was so attached to her I didn't want to leave her with Arrianne every week.

That's the story of how Baby Doll became Kayleigh.

It's the Little Things Kayleigh Did that Touch the Lives of Many

For my loyal readers, thanks for allowing me to grieve today. I have really tried to carry on with my day and put Kayleigh to the back of my mind, but that's an impossible task. The phone calls, e-mails, and text messages from family and friends whose lives were touched by Kayleigh continue to come in.

I went for a drive today. It's funny. You know I bought my convertible with visions of Kayleigh in the front seat enjoying the ride. For some reason, she didn't seem to like the top down nearly as much as a hard top with the windows down. Just the sound of the power windows engaging perked her up, ready to hang her head out the window. Here ears would flap and so would the extra skin on her lower lips. It was always something to see. I don't think she liked the convertible as much because there was no reason to hang your head out the window.

Over the past year, I had officially turned Kayleigh into a country dog. For most of her adult life she lived in Chicagoland and the Springfield, MO area. In Chicago, you buy a permit to take your dog to the dog run and the doggy beach. For Kayleigh, we would take her to the dog run off Hobson Road near I-355.

For some reason Kayleigh became the official Walmart greeter of the dog run. It was so funny to watch. She would play with the pack of dogs always watchful for the next pup to come through the gate. The second that gate open, Kayleigh was the only dog engaged in a full sprint to check the new guy out. Of course the traditional butt smelling occurred, and then it was back to the pack.

This of course was one of the memories that was shared with me today. Of course there were the brownies she ate too. I didn't know she got a full pan of brownies until today. Silly dog was good at getting food.

There was also the grumpy side of Kayleigh. Not only did Kayleigh think she was the king of the dog run, she thought she owned the bed too. Before anyone else got comfortable, Kayleigh would push and prod her way to comfort. This of course was after she gave me my good night kiss which she would put her paw and chin on my chest and lick my lips. For some reason, her target was the lips. While it may not have always enjoyable, I am going to miss it.

So there was this big 65 pound dog pushing her way to comfort, and if you dared put a little to pressure to move he so you get comfortable in bed, Kayleigh would grunt and sigh as she eventually lost the battle, moving always further to the foot of the bed.

It's really the little things I am going to miss. She was a clown in her own right, which you can see in the above picture. She was fun to hang with, and the tears haven't stopped yet today.

Where Kayleigh Rests: Before There Was My Kayleigh, There Was Kayleigh

I got my Kayleigh, day one.

A late summer dinner at a house in Naperville, IL, with friends of my girlfriend quickly had me ignoring the conversation. I had just befriended a golden retriever, a beautiful gentle dog. The owners were fond of her and they quickly changed the conversation to tell me all about their pride and joy this beautiful dog, who couldn't get enough of my loving, brought to their lives.

The dog's name was Kayleigh, and the owners, Bob, who was a pilot, and his wife, I don't remember her name, were about to tell me something I didn't want to hear. Kayleigh was dying of terminal cancer. Bob proceeded to point out the tumors on this beautiful dog's body. For the rest of the evening the conversation pretty much revolved around this one special, spoiled dog.

Kayleigh was treated with the best of care, but tonight it no longer mattered. I convinced Bob to let her enjoy part of my steak that I had not eaten. Kayleigh was in heaven. She had never gotten table scraps before.

That night I learned of the bond between Kayleigh and her masters, and I was in awe. I knew then I wanted my own Kayleigh. I would learn about ten days later or so, Kayleigh died.

Well, I got my Kayleigh and she was every bit as special as her namesake. In fact, she was better because she was mine and I got to enjoy the unconditional love that came with a "Kayleigh" which the owners had shared with me on that late summer night in Naperville.

Today, has been an emotional day filled with many phone calls and well wishes. Like her namesake, Kayleigh touched the lives of so many and so many tears have been shed for "my pretty girl." I'd always say "you're my pretty girl," and her eyes would widen, she would perk up, and her tail would go crazy, sometimes knocking things around. Even as she was dying, those special words, even though she was trying to let go and wouldn't look up at me until the very end, as I petted her head and rubbed her belly as she partially laid in my lap, had her tail wagging just a little bit.

I buried her last night shortly after she died. She is buried under a walnut tree that I frequently caught her at, and where she wanted to go and die. I of course tried to get her to fight not realizing the fluids were quickly filling in her lungs suffocating "my pretty girl."

Today, I planted a lily at the foot of her grave and made a tombstone for her so when I visit Ohio, I can come back and pay respect to about the best dog I can imagine having.

I will head back to Missouri tomorrow. It will be strange to see the co-captain's seat empty without the addition of millions of new lost dog hairs. The miles we traveled and the things we did and saw together. I remember my English Lit teacher at Joliet Junior College, Stacey Murphy, once compared my travels with Kayleigh to John Steinbeck's Travels With Charley. We did see a large portion of America, didn't we Kayleigh? From the beaches of Lake Michigan, the waterfalls of Arkansas, to the plains of Oklahoma, and possibly her favorite place of all the trails of the Appalachians. I wish we had more time.

So to give Kayleigh the proper respect she deserves, I placed a tombstone at the head of her grave:

Kayleigh
2003-2011
"you're a pretty girl"

Kayleigh: Some Final Thoughts

I only got a couple hours of sleep last night. I woke up early and went for a walk. It was hard to hold back the tears knowing on any given morning for the past seven years, that floppy-eared dog would be leading the way. I would have to shout at her in order to protect her or get her attention back to the walk.

I just thought, if I could have one more good moment with Kayleigh, I would probably take her to Andy's Frozen Custard. They give away free doggy cones, and Kayleigh loved Andy's. She seemed to know when the car pulled into Andy's and it was one of those moments that was hard to control her in the car.

It didn't take long for that doggy cone to be gone. A couple of gulps or so, so I never had to worry about getting it in the car. So it was good when Andy's came to Chicagoland. Kayleigh just knew. It was kind of like a little hangout, and I would take her there out of guilt if I felt like I hadn't been giving her enough attention just to make her feel like my special girl again. It always worked.

The Lesson of Marley and Me Was Realized With Kayleigh and Me

Everytime I read or watch Marley and Me, I always cry when Josh Grogran has to say goodbye to Marley and make that hard decision to euthanize his Labrador Retriever. I am sure you can see why that hit close to home. I think the hardest part of that book and movie was knowing I had my own Marley at home that one day I would have to say goodbye to. That day came a few hours ago.

I never wanted to be in those shoes, and I didn't think if I was in that position, that I could ask someone to end my dog's life. As Kayleigh laid in my lap looking up at me for the final time, I would have done anything to get her to the vet and put her out of her pain so she didn't have to suffer, and yet there was nothing I could have done as she struggled to breathe.

I had done everything I could to try to save her life. I think she knew that. I just patted her on the head and the belly for the final time telling her it was okay as tears rolled down my face.

Tonight, she is buried in front of three mountains, and a full moon is shining down on her freshly dug grave. Life is strangely symbolic like that. It's almost as if it's a sign letting me know she is at peace.

My Last Picture of Kayleigh as a Healthy, Strong, Energetic, Beautiful Dog

The Antics of Kayleigh

If you read or saw Marley and Me, you can probably figure out how chaotic yet rewarding my life has been for the past seven years thanks to Kayleigh.

Just over an hour ago, I finished burying my beautiful Labrador Retriever. She passed away earlier today from complications from a gun shot. Since I can't sleep tonight due to my loss, I thought I would share some of the Marley Kayleigh and Me Moments.

From whole pizzas quickly robbed from the table after delivery to two pounds of raw hamburger, Kayleigh knew when to strike. She was quite mischievousness that way, but it was always hard to stay angry. She knew who to use her beautiful eyes, and she usually licked kissed her way out of trouble.

Kayleigh was always very motherly when she was given a new toy. She would take care of it like it was a puppy, which always made me sad because I never gave her the chance to make puppies. Eventually she would get bored and start trying to get the squeaker out of it.

Well add that to another list of things she probably ate. We figured out she ate it when she squeaked.

The first time I took her camping was a fiasco. She wasn't sure what to make out of the tent. I over course The first problem was the tent was cheap and it wasn't solid like a dome tent. It was a challenge to put up, and it was dark by the time we finally found a spot to camp along the Buffalo River. Needless to say, she didn't do well in the tent and it collapsed on us ending our trip. I packed it up and we wound up doing a late night hike in January. I am glad she was there though looking out for things that go bump in the night.

Kayleigh was a sweetheart though, and before she would go to bed, she would put one paw and her chin on my chest, kiss me good night (she was a licker), and then go to the foot of the bed. Needless to say, she was a jealous dog, especially since it was just me and her when I got her.

When I was finishing my degree, Kayleigh would get very jealous of the time I spent in the books. While I was at my laptop, Kayleigh would push her head up under my arms and demand attention. When I stopped petting her and she wasn't content, she would start with the head under the arms again.

There are so many special times that I will always treasure. I appreciate all the well wishes on this blog, Twitter, and Facebook from friends and people I haven't met that started following the Kayleigh story after she was shot. This has been a very hard day. I know she isn't hurting anymore, but I miss her and feel empty without her here demanding my attention. She was a unique character.

Kayleigh November 1, 2003-July 13, 2011 Rest in Peace Beautiful Girl

This is probably the hardest thing I have ever written. About 45 minutes ago, my beautiful girl died. I knew things weren't going good today, but I had hope that it was just going to be a tough day. Deep down inside, I could see she no longer wanted to fight, and perhaps I was selfish for trying to make her fight.

When I got home, she had vomited. I knew with each day she didn't eat, the harder it was going to be to get her strength. It appears the wound was too much for my hard-headed little girl. While I am no vet, the drool she started to show in the last couple hours was obviously suffocating her as her body fought hard to beat it.

I sat on the front yard, with her beautiful golden brown eyes looking up at me for those final moments telling her it was okay. She could go. I cried and talked to her about all the amazing times we had hiking and at the lake. She was such a good friend who probably deserved better sometimes as she had to bear with me in a little apartment as I finished my final year of college. She never complained.

Our time together was short. She was given to my friend Julie Reed as a young pup, and she was a terror, wrecking her house going through the trash. Julie had no patience for her and showed up at my house on January 1, 2004, saying take her or go to the pound.

Kayleigh on her first day home with me. We had an exciting trip to Petsmart
and the bicycle trail to test out the new leash.

I never had those problems with her and I quickly trained her, but life was a little tough because I was on the road a lot. So I trusted my friends daughter to keep an eye on her while I was on the road. There was a few times I would take her on business trips during the spring when the temperatures were cooler, and all the young dental assistants would see her and give her all the attention. She was a great deal closer. Unfortunately, she got bigger and it got hotter.

I tried to teach her how to fetch a stick and swim at the same time, but she never liked the water unless it was on her own terms. She looked at me like I was crazy when I told her to fetch. However, when it was on her own terms she loved the water like when she would go hiking with me.

We would go down to Shell Knob, Missouri, to Table Rock Lake. She would stay on the dock while I floated on a raft. If I floated to far away, she would start to wimper and eventually jump in swimming circles around me until I was close enough to the dock for her comfort.

It was in the past year that I really began dedicating time with her because I found a hobby that she could come along. Many of my readers read about our adventures together on the trails. When we were in the car, she would get so excited when she knew we were getting close to the forest. It was hard to contain her excitement and drive at the same time. She would always cram out of the car over me ready to hike. She loved hiking with the exception of the day last May when we were hiking White Rock Mountain, and she hurt her leg.

It was then I realized how much trust she had in me, as I had to leave her behind, leashed to my backpack, and get to the top of the mountain where my car was at. She never moved that backpack. She just knew I would be back. I let her rest and get back on her feet.

We had one more hike a couple weeks ago where I broke the rules and let her hike unleashed in Hocking Hills. She was Kayleigh at her finest, walking in front of me, energetic, strong, and happy. Little did I know those would be our final miles together.

Rest in peace my beautiful girl. I cry tonight knowing you were taken too soon from me. You gave me seven good years, patient with me when I couldn't give you the time you deserved, but thankful when I made up for it.

I love you Kayleigh. I can't imagine having a better dog. I miss you so much. It doesn't make sense that someone could shoot at such a beautiful dog without thinking how much that dog meant to its owner. I will never understand why it had to end this way.

A Rough Day for Kayleigh

Yesterday, I thought we were in the clear, but today, I am not as hopeful. We made it over 24 hours without vomiting, but when I left to go grab some milk after 2:00 today, I came back to vomit all over the floor. She still isn't eating, and she may be dehydrated too.

I am waiting for a call from Dr. Thomas Tharp to discuss this and the copper colored urine I noticed today. What worries the most is they say dogs start to pull away when they are ready to die. Kayleigh seems to be pulling away. I let her wonder for a few minutes today in the yard, and she tried to leave the yard; although she doesn't have much speed these days to get away. When I tried to get her to come back with me, she just rolled over on her side. When I tried to get her back on her feet, she fought me.

I went and got some bailing twine and made a leash out of it. She walked with me, fighting part of the way, but I eventually got her back to the house.

Maybe I am being selfish for wanting to save her. Maybe she is trying to tell me to let go. I don't know. How am I supposed to know? Yesterday, she acted so good, but today she isn't as enthusiastic.

How can I get her to eat? I am told to be patient and let her rest through Friday. Friday seems to be the day everyone things the shock will wear off. I guess I am scared of losing her.

Kayleigh Update: Recovering Nicely According to Dr. Tharp

Chillicothe, Ohio, has a great veterinarian in Dr. Thomas Tharp. Dr. Tharp took time out of his day to make a follow up call to check on my seven year old Labrador Retriever that was shot on Friday. That meant a lot to me, and it set up the day for more peace of mind in Kayleigh's recovery.

Dr. Tharp said he was concerned about a couple of things, one being her stool. He asked me about the color of her poop, which happened to be a dark brown. This concerned him, but I figured it was probably because of the anti-biotics. He wanted to make sure it wasn't blood.

So I took a sample into his office today. There was no evidence of blood. As well, both his staff and he quickly noticed the swelling in Kayleigh's abdomen was shrinking. Good news, good news!

I brought Kayleigh back home and let her rest. She fought with me when I tried to give her the amoxicillin she takes two times a day. This was the first time she was able to keep it down without throwing it up. Hopefully, her appetite will return tomorrow. She hasn't eaten since I brought her home, and Dr. Tharp has given her medicine to help her stomach and encourage her to eat.

The better news is her personality showed signs of coming back today too. While it's not 100%, there was a noticeable improvement.

Tonight, she sleeps peacefully. We have come a long way since I found her in the yard lifeless and near death. Thank God my best four legged friend is getting healthy.