On Monday, February 9, we had to say goodbye to Chip, the 12-year-old Italian Greyhound we adopted back in the spring of 2021. “Heartbroken” doesn’t even begin to describe how I have felt the last few weeks.

We got Chip from David’s sister after she had had him for about a year and a half after the death of David’s mother (Chip’s original owner). The sister and her family were just not taking care of him properly, and David was feeling guilty about this. When they decided to move, we had the opportunity to get Chip. I was totally against having another dog … especially one that peed and pooped everywhere in the house, according to the sister. The peeing and pooping issues ended up not being as bad as we had heard, and Chip adjusted quickly to living here.

We had to have all his teeth removed because they were so bad. He bounced back from that it definitely improved his life. As he got older, we started having to leave pee pads around when we would leave the house and, eventually, all the time because you never knew when he might just pee on the spot. It wasn’t the funnest thing to deal with, but we did it because we loved him.

Fast forward to last August, and Chip had a major health issue. He started stumbling around the house, could barely walk, and stopped eating. After a few vet visits, it was determined that it was probably something neurological that had happened. We didn’t want to do additional tests because of the cost and the fact that he would have to be put under for said tests. We didn’t think anesthetizing a 16-1/2-year-old dog was a good idea. At one point, we were convinced that the vet was going to tell us to euthanise him. We were thankful that didn’t happen. Chip slowly recovered and was back to his old self in a few weeks.

Fast forward to about two months ago, and Chip was starting acting disoriented in the mornings. He wasn’t eating his breakfast at the normal time, but much later in the morning. Within a few weeks, he was refusing breakfast totally and eating less dinner. We were concerned. Then, on the weekend it snowed, he stopped eating at all. The vet ran bloodwork and did some tests, wherein we found out Chip’s kidneys weren’t functioning properly. We tried appetite stimulants and various foods that the vet suggested. Nothing worked to get him eating. The tough decision was eventually made, and we took him to the vet almost three weeks ago.

All I can say about that day is that it was absolutely the hardest day I have experienced in a long, long, long time. I can honestly say that I cried more that day than I did when my Dad died.

Chip was 16 years and 10 months, well past the 13-15 year life expectancy of an Italian Greyhound. We have no idea why he hung around so long. Maybe it was because he had found a loving home with good food, lots of comfy beds and blankets, a yard to run around in, lots of pets, and he just wanted to enjoy that as long as he possibly could.

What I do know is that the house is a little less happy now that our derpy, sweet old man is gone. Chip, just know that you are missed terribly and that we still love you so much.