Tickle, my almost 11 year old German Shepherd died yesterday. She had degenerative myleopathy, it's the canine version of ALS. She'd been losing a little bit of coordination for a long while, it would get a bit worse then level off but as time went on it progressed quicker. She also had arthritis so that didn't help her compensate for her gait/coordination loses, even though she was medicated she was stiff in her back legs - where the disease's effects start. She went downhill fast over the past week, I think she had some sort of event, she fell or jumped or strained herself somehow and wasn't in good enough shape to overcome this setback this time. She lost her balance and ended up leaning/standing on her front knee with her back legs and body crumpled underneath. She did that multiple times Sunday and yesterday so it was time to say goodbye. I'm devastated, it's so empty and quiet without her (and Raphael) here.
I'm convinced she is somewhere with a large field running free and without pain.
