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Laura Thieme

Bizresearch President – 10 years - 2007

Fisher College of Business Lecturer on Search Marketing

OSU Russian Studies Grad – 1993

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28th February 2008

Less Than a Month After Max Dies, Cody Dies

Today at 1:30 p.m., Cody passed into I pray, I truly pray, a better spiritual world.  She suffered so much in the past few days and last several hours.  When I walked out of the vet hospital yesterday evening, I looked back at her, and she had a “look” on her face - as she turned around and looked at everyone staring back at her with lots of emotion, from that point on, for all intents, Cody was nearly gone. 

As I blogged earlier today in the wee hours of the morning, Cody had a terrible night.  She was starting to spit up blood last night, and today, she began to drool a milky bloody film.  She had a ticking sound in her throat, as if you could hear the fluid in her body.  I chose to have her put down at noon - at my house - in the foyer. 

My wonderful pet sitter, Tamara, came early and picked up Lucky so Cody and I could have some final peaceful moments together without distraction from a very hyper dog, who is oblivious to anything painful (which is a good and bad thing at times).

God gave us sunlight today - thankfully - so Cody basked in the sunlight early this morning, pointing her body in the direction of the sun rising.  She didn’t mind the snow or the frigid temperatures.  In fact, as soon as Lucky left with Tamara, it seemed Cody was preparing herself for her final hours, as if she knew it was her last sunrise.  Cody was a furry bear black chow who loved cold weather, loved to sit under the tree in front of my house, and loved to breathe in the fresh air.  I took her for one last ride in the car, through McD’s where she got a sausage, one last walk where she got to see her red chow friend, Tucker, and a few special visitors in her final hours. 

Cody & Monroe on January 31, 2008
Cody & Monroe, a month ago, right before Max died. 

Monroe, her rescued cat, came up and tried to be near her in her final hour, but Cody didn’t want Monroe around.  Maybe Cody was protecting Monroe so she’d leave her alone - I don’t know.  Maybe she was just worried Monroe would eat the food that Cody no longer wanted. 

Cody, my chow dog, an hour or two before she died.
Cody, hardly present any more, hours before she died on Thursday afternoon.

Note the picture above - I also have a video I’ll post later.  You could see that life was leaving Cody, in her eyes.  They were dull, triangular it seemed, and hanging on moment by moment.  Her tail ceased to wag, if only for a moment or two in the last hours.  It’s so hard when you know you have three hours, or two hours, or just minutes, to spend with your animal before they will be taken away in physical presence.  Monroe stayed up stairs when the vets arrived, whereas with Max, Monroe was with us in the room.  Misha stayed upstairs but the moment that Cody passed, within minutes, Misha came downstairs and walked by Cody, looking down at her on the floor.

Max & Misha, the day Max died. Cody a month before she died.
Max & Misha, brothers, right before Max (orange) died.  Cody a month
before she died.

Cody’s body fought the medicine, the drugs - it took two doses and what seemed like at least 10 minutes for her body to stop.  They couldn’t get the second dose into her body - it was rejecting the needle and medicine.  About the time the vet said that Cody was close, Cody gave one final “hrummpgh” and then expired within a few moments later. 

I prepared for my NY trip, and soon left with Cody in the car, one last time.  Her eyes wouldn’t close - how heartbreaking - still there looking at me.

Cody was the best dog - truly the best dog ever - no accidents until the last week of her life - out of 13 years in her home - never an accident, never a chewed shoe, never a ruined piece of anything.  She did have a thing for humping pillows - don’t ask me - have no clue.  I did “not” teach her that.  She was such a glorious, wise, loving, loyal, faithful, protective soul - who suffered much in her last days, just to hang on, to be near me, to love just a little longer.

I had strong friends and family support today - an old friend of mine - ironically wrote me yesterday afternoon.  I had not heard from her in years.  The story I was telling about Cody stealing stuffed animals, below, well it all began with Doris & Nick who introduced Cody to the life of stuffed animals.  Doris wrote yesterday and it seemed fitting that the day that Cody died, I would reconnect with Doris.  Nick, her 11 year old golden retriever, is still alive and kicking, although recovering from a sickness in December. 

Nick, Cody's golden retriever friend

Nicole & Brutus, Doris & Nick, and Laura & Cody - it was always the three of us hanging out typically at Doris’ place with all three dogs checking out the two filled milk crates of stuffed animals.  We’d fix up a cup of coffee or two, I think Doris always had flavored coffee or something - but I vague remember there always being something that brewed in her house while we watched the dogs play.  Brutus the bulldog would growl, Cody would pull, and Nick would run interference. 

All of these dogs have grown old, but Cody was the first to go - although she was the oldest of the three.  It is because of Cody that I developed what I believe are life-long friendships.  And it was fitting that on the day that Cody died, both Nicole and Doris, were very available by phone and text messages and emails to let them know that they were hurting too, and were there thinking of us.

I pray that Cody is in a better place - she couldn’t even die peacefully - but now, finally, her body rests.  It was a relief to see her body no long heaving, gasping for air, and under duress.  Finally, it was quiet - and her love - expired.

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