We weren’t ready to say goodbye to one of the world’s best dogs. But, one minute, she was a loveable, active, goofy, vocal, and always on the “ready” to eat kind of dog – and then what seemed like in a flash – she wasn’t.
Bayla has left a void in the hearts of so many – most of all Marc and I.
May her memory be a blessing.
If you are so inclined to donate to the rescue where we adopted Bayla 9 years ago- please check out Sparky and the Gang in Long Beach, California. https://sparkyandthegang.com
Below I am sharing about her cancer journey. Very little was known about the kind of cancer Bayla “acquired”. We had no idea what to expect as there were so few other dogs who shared her diagnosis and had their experiences with trigeminal nerve sheath tumors documented. Since there is so little information that is not written in “vet-speak” – I decided to chronicle our experiences from pre-diagnosis to her last day – today. Know that I started to “journal” Bayla’s journey months before today – only the last entry was added after we said our final goodbye.
And so it begins…
The story of Bayla’s cancer… Bayla was diagnosed the week of Halloween 2023 as having an inoperable brain tumor. The worst Halloween “trick” EVER. But, I soon learned that her condition is known as a trigeminal nerve sheath tumor. It is not common and breeds such as Labradors (or mixes with labs) are more apt to have this type of tumor. The onset of symptoms comes swiftly and progresses with lightning speed. For many dogs, like Bayla, radiation, chemo, and other types of interventions are not possible. Usually, the first symptom is an indent on top of the head. And that was our first clue. Halloween week 2023 – a dent on the top of her head appears.
Progression of Bayla’s trigeminal nerve sheath tumor.
As Julie Andrew sang in the Sound of Music tune Do-Re-Mi – Let’s start at the very beginning...
June 2023
No atrophy
No symptoms
But we were told the cancer was already growing at this point.
November 2023. Atrophy above her eye as the muscle is diminished due to the tumor impacting her nerve. Also impacted is her jawline. Many veterinary visits later – we received the bad news. She was terminally ill. I started to call “end of life” places to help us if the neuro-vet who said we would be lucky to have her in a few months- was right. (Spoiler alert- he wasn’t). She thrived through the winter months and much longer than that.
This photo was taken June 6, 2024. Bayla continued to act like herself more than a sickly dog. She ate well. She barked at every truck that went by. The usual “stuff”. She also slept more and was very clingy. The atrophy crossed over to the other half of her head by May. Caving can be seen in her face with her eyes being more sunken. But, she is defying the odds. The doggy neurologist was wrong. This “ol girl had many more days past the (maybe) 6-month expiration he had given to her! She is on a hefty dose of two meds for discomfort and also for swelling. She pees a ton – but all in all – is a very happy dog! She also gets away with anything she wants – including jumping up to the table to snatch my food! (“The tumor made me do it!”)
June 2024: In all fairness – she does have a crazy-looking cranium. This is her “I need a nap” look.
September 25, 2024 – Behavioral changes.
There is no better way to explain life with Bayla than to say she has reverted in many ways – back to puppyhood. Or so we think. We kinda missed her first year of life and can only assume that many of the same behaviors she is exhibiting now are similar to those of the first few months she had here on earth. She finds random items and flings them, carries them around the house, or hides them. Several of my shoes are no longer paired. The victims are the newest shoes for fall -they are among the missing. I didn’t even wear them yet.
She cries more now – around me. When with her daddy she tends to be more playful – almost like she is hiding her true feelings to keep him from becoming upset. She tends to be less guarded with me – like we have a copesetic relationship. I think she is telling me the end of the road is almost near and I need to become prepared – more so than ever- but I am not sure. I could be getting mixed signals. The veterinarian told us we would know when she has “bad days more than good.” If she sleeps 2/3 of her day and walks around aimlessly for a good portion of the night – is that her having a sickly bad day? Or is that just being a senior dog? I ordered her new stuffed toys today – thinking a stuffed squirrel and rabbit would bring her comfort. Maybe I bought them for me so I would have one last opportunity to see her try to tear the squeaker out of a “stuffed lovey”. The toy arrives thanks to Amazon’s overnight delivery service. She plays for a moment or two. No attempt to remove the squeaker. It lays beside her as she tries to sleep.
And then I remember our new reality. She isn’t the dog that likes to play with a new toy… Sweet Bayla is barely a glimmer of the little pup I met in 2015. She is telling us it is time to go over the rainbow bridge.
September 28, 2024
Yes, I have been up all night. Listening to her walk around the house. Seeing her try to rest only to realize she can’t settle. She is in pain. She whimpers softly. Finally, she falls asleep – but only for a few short moments – and then she gets up again to walk aimlessly in circles. She comes over to me at 3 a.m. She stares as if to say – “make the call – it is time.”
And it was. This morning we let her go over the rainbow bridge to play forever with her pals who left before her. I would like to think she is partying it up and eating whatever and whenever she wants! And since she was rescued from Tijuana, Mexico – I hope she has found “heavenly food trucks” – oh how she loved her tacos!
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A special thank you and gratitude to all who have loved her and spoiled her throughout the years. She adored “her people”.
Below you will find a gallery of photos and a poem I found.
Thank you for reading.
author unknown.
Hi Louise, I feel your and family’s grief is the loss of Bayla. She was and is a beautiful companion, May she rest in peace.
Just to let you know I adopted a Boston Terrier in 2022, DJ, for Dot Junior, like his Papa he has a black dot at the top of his head. I hadn’t had a dog in the family in decades, so DJ is bringing much joy and companionship.
Take good care of yourself and I hope we can meetup again soon.
Gloria Godet
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for posting about her story and her beautiful personality and life! Her story is helping us cope as our sweet lab Winston was just diagnosed with the exact same prognosis as Bayla. We’re beyond devastated but are thankful to you and Bayla for posting about your journey ❤️ we’re starting him on prednisone – what other medications did Bayla take? Would love to try anything that might help with Winston’s quality of life 🙂 Thank you! 🙏
Hello, I am so sorry you, too, are on this journey. May Winston continue to have quality to his life. We only gave Bayla prednisone and pain relievers. It is hard to believe she has been gone a year. But, it means so much that our story helps others. Sending you hugs. ~Louise
Thank you for your kind reply! When that time does come, Bayla will have a new friend in Winston to play with over that rainbow bridge 🌈
Hugs
Thank you for sharing her story , i stay up at night looking for some kind of comfort in shared experiences and i found Bayla’s. One day Mr Crabby was a happy go lucky guy and just like that , he woke up one morning with a dent , he will be 12 on dec 1st, vet said he might have a few weeks , but now i have hope he will make it to his birthday . Thank you for sharing her journey , although it made me sad to hear if her passing , i know now when to say “ its time “ thanks again .
Oh Patricia, I wish only the best for you and yours as you go through this difficult time. I am grateful you took the time to write and give me feedback that our story helped you. I will be sending you hugs and prayers for your Mr. Crabby and you.