My darling shepherd passed away tonight

[Vally]

Anna, you truly have a heart of gold. I know you’re suffering so very much right now, and yet you have jumped in to offer Kisha your kind words.

Thank you so much.

Vally
xxx

[Linda]

Dearest Anna. I am sorry I wrote Sparky instead of Sparty. He deserves to be remembered by his name.

Sadie is doing well, considering. She has many complications due to the continued relapses and consequent continued high doses of immune suppressants needed to combat the relapses.

This is a horrible disease and as Vally said, it grabs and does not let go, ruthless. Once a dog or cat has AIHA/IMHA they are never “cured” but go into remission. Today, Sadie is in remission but I don’t take her health for granted – I know this is one horrible disease. She will continue to get tongue and gum checks and I watch her deminure daily. Actually, several times a day. And, we will continue to take one day at a time.

Thank you for being such a wonderful, caring fur parent. Sparty had the best.

Huge hugs, Linda

[Anna]

Thanks so much Linda. Lots of love to you and Sadie. I miss my boy so much. Hope Sadie continues in remission. Anna.

 

[Vally]

Anna, your boy was just beautiful.

Vally

[Patrice]

Anna,
I am so very sorry to read about Sparky. I think that we all have had some degree of shock and guilt when our dogs became ill. The frightening part of this is not understanding enough, soon enough, so that we can make the right decisions. We can only hope that the vets are doing the right things.

I think from what I am reading of your description, they were suddenly aware of a serious situation and were attempting to control that. They didn’t have the time nor the words to explain to you exactly what that was. I can be sure that they treated Sparky with the best of care and compassion. I am sure there were many tears shed for him. Vets and their techs are very caring people.

I know that if Sparky could have spoken he would have told you that he would never want you to live with guilt and sadness. We beat ourselves up with what ifs and should haves.

Our dogs live in the moment, not in the past or the future and I think that is a good place to be when you think of Sparky. What would he want you to do right now on this sunny warm day? Go outside, run around a whole bunch, roll in the grass, throw a ball around, drink some cold water and then take a nap in the shade.

In time the memories will soften of this time, the edges will be less sharp. You will remember only all the good times, of which there must be many.
my best, Patrice

[Anna Best]

Thanks so much Patrice. I am still deeply upset by what happened, but your right, I am starting to remember the good things now, and I can walk along the paths we used to take together without getting too upset, just remembering him digging and playing his silly games.
Last weekend, we took his ashes to a special place he loved, where we used to live and scattered them in the river .
He was such a special boy, not just to us, but to my parents, and everyone who met him.
Your right, in that the vets did everything. My only regret is that he couldn’t come home to die, but to be honest, no one, least of all the vets, expected to lose him – the first thing they said to me was that this is serious, but I have not lost a dog, and I never have one put to sleep. The vet who called me on the night he passed away was in tears. She said they had been trying for five minutes to bring him back. They would have kept trying, but I said to let him go in peace.
Someone said that the strong steroids they gave him about two hours before he passed, would have made him feel better, and I like to think that this was the case, and he felt better, and then simply fell asleep.
I would have done anything, paid any price to bring my friend back home but it was not to be.
My heart goes out to everyone on here, who is going through this illness, or who has lost someone they love to it.
Thank you for your help, kind words and support. The night I posted the first post on here, I was in such deep shock and grief, I was reaching out but I never expected such kindness.
Thank you all so much
Anna

[Kisha]

Anna,
I am so sorry for your loss. This is a terrible disease. Losing an beloved pet is never easy, but it is especially hard when they are taken before their time. I hope you find peace in your memories of your beloved boy.