RIP Lola (2005 – 2020): 10/26 – 11/1 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy
Saying goodbye is never easy

It was a long, long week. Physically and emotionally draining. Lola improved, just slightly, then she got worse. The runs were short, although that doesn’t always mean they were easy.

She loved laying by the patio heater this week

Even last night, this wasn’t the post I thought I’d be writing, but Lola went to her final sleep in my arms last night (at the animal ER).

Meanwhile Bandit is enjoying not having doors closed anymore

Sleep was often interrupted, there have been six visits to two different vets in the last week. Even when the runs felt hard, though, in the end I felt better for doing them and am happy I was able to squeeze them in.

bwrd

Joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and reporting on easing back into running.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min),  Dogwalk/RGB Walk 2.9, Yoga (20 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), TM Peloton 5k Prep + WU + CD (2.77 miles), Yoga (20 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk., Yoga (20 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min),Dogwalk, Yoga (20 min)
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), TM “Fun Run” + WU 3ish miles, Yoga (20 min)
  • Saturday:  Yoga (30 min), 4 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min), Walking at the park, Yoga (20 min)

Running Mileage: 10ish (+1.5)

JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running Update

Tuesday intention: 5k Prep
This had to be squeezed in before taking Lola to the vet. Not quite sure what to expect, but it was mostly intervals. I debated about waiting until Wednesday, as I hadn’t had a good night’s sleep, but I’m glad I went ahead and did it; it gave me more flexibility with runs the rest of the week, and with cold, rain, snow, and wind in the forecast I needed that!

Thursday intention: take it easy
Because of all the stress lately and sleep deprivation, a Pop Fun Run sounded perfect to me. Fun run my a$$! This was speed work, plain & simple, but it was a short enough run that once I started it, I was sorta committed. Oh well, I survived it. 

Halloween is in the hood
But the snow was gone

Saturday intention: run out the sadness (again)
I dropped Lola back off at the ER right before this run. Or rather, I was foam rolling and getting ready for this run, when she threw up again and it was clear she needed to be seen. Knowing I probably had hours until I heard from the vet — they are so slammed these days — I decided I would attempt to run. Stopping to check my phone every mile.

I wondered what was going to go on in there?

My heart and legs felt heavy, it wasn’t fast, it felt hard. No doubt from lack of sleep and emotions. It was slow, but fairly consistent, so there’s that. It was also a lovely day, and I tried to be present enough to enjoy it — although it wasn’t easy.

Of course not long after this run and a quick hop in the shower to warm up, we got the call from the vet. Lola’s kidney values were very elevated, which wasn’t shocking to me, but for the first time in our 35 years of married life, the vet strongly urged us to put her to sleep. Right away.

She also told me she could make her comfortable for the weekend, and she had an appointment with the holistic vet on Monday. I know the holistic vet could have made her feel better . . . for a while. It’s not curable, though, of course, and it’s much harder on dogs than cats. We made the hard decision to let her go.

Fish “Fry”

Favorites of the week
I never wrote about our new Breville Toaster Oven/Air Fryer we bought for our anniversary. Something I’d been eyeing a long time. Like the Instant Pot, there’s a learning curve, but so far we really like it. The entire meal above was made in its air fryer — Mr. Judy liked it, and he can be a tough customer.

Finding solace in nature

I really haven’t been able to get away much lately. Lola couldn’t be left alone for more than a few minutes at a time. This morning, though, I needed to get away and go for a walk, so I did. It’s not a pretty day, it’s very windy, and we keep losing Internet, but I found some healing in nature. The rest will just take time.

And just like that, the two cats and two dogs we moved here with 11 1/2 years ago are gone.

I’m also going to ask for prayers for a neighbor’s husband. He’s been in the hospital with COVID — he did have underlying conditions — but at the moment it’s not looking great and she’s not even allowed to visit him.

No questions this week. Love on your loved ones.

GWY Gentle Moon Salutations

ICYMI: I actually did manage to get up a video this week — early, even. Because I wanted people to have the opportunity to do it on the Halloween Full Moon — it goes really well with a full or new moon! You can find it here.

Coming up on Tuesday: I have started to make my own nut milk, and I’m going to share how that’s going. Maybe it’s a stretch to share on a running linkup, but hopefully you guys will be ok with it. On Friday I’ll be joining so many friendly bloggers here for tea — or coffee if that’s your thing.

45 thoughts on “RIP Lola (2005 – 2020): 10/26 – 11/1 WRD”

  1. Oh, Judy, I’m so sorry. It’s so hard, even when it’s clear that it’s time. I know your heart will be heavy for a while. I’m glad you found some solace in nature — those fall colors are beautiful.

    Will keep your neighbor in my thoughts too. Not being able to be with sick loved ones makes covid-19 that much more horrible.

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    1. Thank you, Coco. Yes, my heart is definitely heavy at times, but I know I will make my way through this as I always have. And I know that you also know how it feels, unfortunately.

      Thank you for keeping my neighbor in your thoughts, too. I can’t even imagine going through that without being able to be with your loved one.

      First she had to quarantine, and now they say it’s too dangerous for her because there are too many cases in the hospital. 😦 We’re not even a hot spot.

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  2. I’m so sorry about your loss. I do understand how hard it is to lose a pet. How is Bandit? Is he showing any signs of loss?

    Hoping your neighbor turns around. I just can’t stand people who downplay COVID. It may be mild for some, but for others it’s devastating. The worst is that the patients suffer alone. The hospital where I am on staff has restricted visitors again. Numbers are skyrocketing around here. Sigh.

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    1. Thank you, Wendy. I don’t expect that Bandit will miss Lola, although really Lola didn’t show signs of missing Chester for a while and she adored him. Bandit adores me.

      I do think he’s wondering what happened, though. I left & came back with her so many times last week. He’s a very sensitive dog, although not super snuggly, but he’s been spending more time with me lately.

      I also am not happy with people who don’t seem to think COVID is serious. Not being able to see your loved ones when they’re sick — it’s beyond heart breaking.

      I was worried I wouldn’t be able to be with Lola at the end, and I’ve always been with them at the end; while I wish it could have been different, of course, I was so glad I could be with her. I pretty much literally could feel her heart stop beating as I held her.

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  3. I’m so sorry Judy! Sounds like a tough week. And I also hope your neighbor improves. Thats so sad that she can’t be with him. I mean I understand why but its still so hard.

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    1. Thank you so much, Lisa. Yes, it was a horrible week, plain & simple. But it’s the circle of life, I guess. She had a really good life.

      It’s terrible not being able to be with your loved ones when they’re so sick. 😦

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  4. Oh my, what a hard week for you Judy. I’m so, so sorry to hear about Lola. I knew that she wasn’t feeling well but was hoping for a miracle for her 😦 Losing a pet is so tough.

    Sending prayers and positive thoughts to your neighbor and her husband. I really hope that he will be okay.

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    1. We were hoping for that miracle, too, Kim. Thank you for your kind words. No one lives forever, though, and she had a really good life.

      Thank you so much for the prayers for my neighbor. They are the sweetest people and this just stinks. 😦

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  5. It is hard to lose a pet but at least you had 16 happy years with her and she only suffered for a short period. My cat is going on 16. I know that her time will up soon as she is already showing signs. But also I am grateful that she has never been sick before and has had a good life.

    As I mentioned in my blog, my MIL was taken to the hospital in the middle of the night (fri). I think she will be ok but she is 95 and so stubborn. She doesn’t get her shots (flu, shingles, pneumonia). I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t someone NOT get all their shots and risk getting sick??

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    1. I’m very sorry about your MIL. It seems as though so often the hospital labels elderly as either pneumonia or UTI — was there with my father on more than one occasion (although he did have pneumonia more than once, and he always got his shot).

      I hope they are able to figure out what’s wrong and she can come home soon. Although I will say at that age, if they spend a fair amount of time in the hospital, they often have to go into rehab afterwards. They just lose strength so quickly.

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      1. She is doing very well. She is very healthy and strong for a 95 year old. They were saying today but now may a few more days. It’s easier to have her there on antibiotics since it’s an IV than be at home.

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  9. So sorry for all the turmoil, and especially for losing Lola. I’ll be adding your friend’s husband to my ever-expanding prayer list. My morning walks/rides are my “thoughts of others” time, and there’s been so many people going through tough times. Thinking of you, and hugging you from afar….

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  10. I am so sorry to hear about Lola. It is devastating. My first cat, Princess, was sick too and died in my arms at home. Just writing this made me emotional because I still remember the moment right before she “asked” for me and I held in in my arms.

    Hugs to you. How is Bandit dealing with this?

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    1. Thank you, Zenaida. I’m so sorry about your Princess — that had to be so tough. Lola was put to sleep at the vet (I don’t think I really made that clear), but I was holding her.

      Bandit definitely senses that something is going on, but he wasn’t super attached to her. I think she would’ve missed him more than he misses her.

      I do think he’s probably confused about where she went too, especially since we’re his third home and his previous owner had had to rehome her cats before she rehomed Bandit with us, and then he lost his other doggy companion not long before he came to us, too. He’s had a tough life. 😦

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      4. I couldn’t bare to put her to sleep at the vet. I knew she was going to die and I wanted her to be home with me. Now that I think about it, I wonder if it was plain cruel. She was suffering.

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      5. We have had vets come to our house, and also taken them to the vet. I know that Lola definitely suffered some this week, but it was hard to know what to do. It always is.

        I know that you loved Princess & that she loved you. You did the very best you could, and that’s all we can ever do.

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  12. I am so sorry to hear about Lola. That is very difficult, especially when they have been a part of the family for so long 😦 And also about your neighbor’s husband – I am sending positive thoughts their way. What a difficult week for you. I hope things are looking up soon.

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  13. Oh, dear, Judy. I’m so sorry about Lola.
    She had a happy dog life with you and she could die peacefully.

    I’m glad that your runs and walks in nature help you to cope with the stress. Thinking of you!

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    1. Thank you, Catrina. Even before I took up running, walking was often the way I dealt with a furkid’s loss.

      I can remember with one cat I’d go out for a short walk & come back 2 hours later — that was before I had dogs, though.

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  14. I’m so sorry about Lola. You made completely the right decision and I’m glad your vet was supportive and good. I know how wrung out you must be feeling now, lots of love to you and peace, and gentle runs or walks where you can.

    Also holding your neighbour in our thoughts. Matthew has had tough words with his elderly parents again, we are just trying to keep them safe but it is hard.

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    1. Thank you Liz, I know that you’ve been through it too.

      We are trying to decide what my mom should do for Thanksgiving. It’s not an easy decision and of course ultimately up to her, but it’s a bit worrisome. 😦 I’m sorry that Matthew is having to deal with that too.

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  15. Sending so much love and comfort to you. We have to be so strong for our beloved pets. You made the right call, and I am so glad she was able to go to the rainbow bridge in the arms of her human. ❤ ❤ ❤

    Thinking of your neighbor as well. How scary 😦

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  17. Oh Judy, again, I am so sorry. We love them so deeply and they us. Saying goodbye it tough under any circumstances. Sending healing vibes to your friend with COVID as well. I swear this is the year that keeps on giving.

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  18. I’m sorry about Lola. It sounds like she had the same illness as Jasper. What provides comfort for me is knowing that Jasper was loved up until the end, and I hope it brings you some comfort knowing that Lola felt the same way. It’s really tough, though. Hugs to you!

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    1. Thanks, Deb. That really was almost literally her up until the last week of her life. I have dozens of videos of her doing that sort of thing.

      The last week, though, she was shuffling like the little old lady she really was. It was really hard to see her like that. I just really hoped we could turn it around, but no one lives forever. 😦

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  20. I must have missed this post, Judy. I am so sorry about Lola. I know how heartwrenching it is to lose a beloved pet. She certainly was loved and well cared for, right up until the end.

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