We took Tank to see a Vet ophthalmologist in Austin (yes, they exist) and he put him on eye drops for glaucoma and regularly checked his eye pressure. It was suggested that they either remove Tank's eyes or replace them with prosthetic implants. After we moved to California one of the first things we did was get Tank his eye surgery. His glaucoma was very severe and he was almost completely blind. He was in pain. We opted to go with the more expensive option of keeping his eyes, but replacing his retinas with prosthetic balls. We chose this route because he was relatively young and we wanted people to treat him normally. If they took out his eyes they would have sewn his eyelids shut. I just couldn't see doing that to a young pup. So he had the eye surgery and came out of it like a champ. He did so well in our little house in California. I researched blind dogs and how to help them and decided to try leaving trails of essential oils over the major routes out of the house, to his food, bed, etc. Turns out he didn't need them at all. I had read how amazing blind dogs are at going about their daily lives like nothing was different, but wow, it was amazing to see. Tank just navigated around like normal. Probably because he really couldn't see before his surgery (they did a vision check before surgery and he failed miserably). When we went to visit my parents he navigated around their house like a champ too.
Before Vivian was born I researched how to introduce a new baby into a house with a dog. I tried the 'take a baby blanket home to have him smell' trick. Tank didn't care. He accepted Vivian into his house like she had been there the entire time. Never ever showing any jealousy or hostility. The perfect dog to introduce a baby to. They got along great. She loved him and he loved and really looked out for her. He loved her SO much.
I was really really worried when we moved back to Austin. I even purchased more essential oils to help him, but he didn't need them. He navigated the square footage and stairs better than Vivian, our 2 year old. After Vivian died Tank grieved with us. He was our shoulder to cry on and our confidant. We told him everything. He was always there for us.
When Isabel was born he took her into the pack and protected her. When Logan was born a short time later he took him and protected and guarded him too. Again, he never showed any hostility or aggression towards either of them. He was patient and always willing to get some less than gentle hugs. He trusted Brian and he trusted me completely.
He needed multiple teeth cleanings and extractions, but handled them so well. He had a melanoma removed from his mouth last Christmas and everything looked good.
A few months ago Tank had a very large growth removed from his mouth and, after seeing no evidence of metastasis in his lungs, abdominal cavity, or heart, we decided to have a growth removed from his lymth node as well. Yes, he was an old dog, but if doing the surgery could prolong his life for a few months to maybe a year while he was comfortable we were going to do it. We went into this whole pet ownership thing knowing that it was a big responsibility. Both financially and emotionally. He came out of that surgery so well. SO much better than I thought. But we all noticed that he was slowing down. He just wanted to sleep. He slept a lot before, but this time he didn't want to jump up and sit with us on the couch anymore. He just wanted to sleep.
About 3 days before he died Tank was eating less than normal. I started giving him leftover steak and chicken from our dinner. He would eat that, but still wouldn't eat much of his food. He's done that before and it's been nothing, so I wasn't too worried.
The night before he died we had friends over. I went to bed around midnight, but Brian stayed up until around 3:30am talking while Tank was sleeping about 2 feet away. When Brian got up to go to bed he was going to let Tank outside one last time for the night, but he said Tank was sleeping so soundly and snoring so he left him.
The kids got up around 6:30am and Brian found Tank asleep and gone. He wrapped him up in a blanket and put him in the laundry room in his bed for everyone to say goodbye to. We called Austin Pet Memorial Center and they came and picked Tank up and took him for cremation. We were able to pick up Tank's remains, as well as a little paw print, hair clipping and wildflowers, the next day. I was really impressed with this place. It's located just South of Austin in Buda. They offer completely separate and private cremations and have a tracking system and video evidence if you feel the need for that.
We are so very sad that Tank is gone. Isabel has been asking many very insightful and heartbreaking questions. Logan just wants to know when the guy who took Tank is going to bring him back.
Here are a few pictures of our precious Tank dog.
