by Denise | Dec 3, 2013 | Care and Training, Health Issues, Older Dogs, Preparation, Stories |
We Love you Petey
I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner
It is with great sadness that I let you know of the passing of our dear, sweet Petey. Many of you started following this blog because of his battle with IMHA, and it’s similarities to Evan’s.
It was not IMHA that took him, rather his tired body, and our desire to always return his unconditional love . For this reason, we made the most painful, yet responsible decision when it became clear that his qualty of life would no longer be what he deserved to have. Because we loved him, we did not want to subject him to a life of pain from advanced osteoarthritis and a now fragile and unforgiving body. We are heartbroken over the loss, but better for having had his love in our lives.
We cannot thank Dr. Peter Slusser and the amazing team at VCA Animal Group for their outstanding care. It is because of their care and compassion that Petey pulled through his bout with IMHA. I give them my highest reommendation, and my utmost respect. If you know me, you know that is not something I give easily. Thank you Dr. Christine Wilson for referring us to Dr. Slusser.
Our entire family would also like to thank Dr. Kristi Freeman, who, through her kindness, compassion, and dedication to animal companions, allowed Petey’s final moments to be filled with love and peace. Without a doubt, Petey’s second chance at life would not have been possible without Forte Animal Rescue and it’s volunteers Raquel Magro and Diane, who quietly work behind the scenes to create forever homes. It’s because of them, that the unwanted, forgotten and abused come into the lives of those lucky enough to be chosen to be their forever caretakers.
Following is an excerpt of my letter thanking Marie Atake, founder of Forte and volunteers Raquel and Diane for all they do. They are my heroes and I am eternally grateful to them for introducing me to Petey and allowing us the honor of caring for him for the last eight years. We love you Petey, we will miss you, and you will forever live in our hearts. Goodnight my dear “Sweety Petey.”
Email Excerpt:
Thank you for sending Petey your thoughts and prayers today. During a most difficult time, Dr. Kristi Freeman helped us give Petey the best farewell he could have possibly had. She is the kindest, gentlest person you could imagine and Petey took to her immediately, she even won Marina over and she is much tougher to win over.
Since we were at home, Petey was very comfortable and had all of us around him. He was given a deep sedative/anesthetic and you could tell when he became pain-free, there was such a sense of peace. He was awake with us long enough to experience the relief of pain and know without a doubt that he was very loved. That love is the last thing that he was aware of. When he was in the deepest sleep, Dr. Freeman gave him the second injection and he was very peacefully released from his tired body. All I sensed, in every moment, was peace. It was the best one could hope for at such a difficult time, and the best send-off our dear friend could have had.
His ashes will be back to us in a week or so, his love will never leave us. After some time at home today, we went to the ocean, it’s the place where Eddie and I both feel the most connected to the universe. As we were walking towards the sand, the very first thing we encountered was someone walking a big pointy-eared dog and the second thing we encountered was a man walking a dog who could have been Petey’s twin, big ears and all. It made my heart feel good to see him running. Maybe it’s just to make myself feel better, but I liked to see it as a sign that our Petey boy was free and happy again. They were the only dogs we saw our entire time there.
And so it goes, our hearts break, but they are a little bigger for having had such a wonderful companion in our lives. Thank you both for all you do and thank you for giving us the opportunity to have Petey and his unconditional love in our lives.
by Denise | Oct 30, 2012 | Stories |
If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience the companionship of a dog, it’s almost certain that at one time or another, they’ve been there to comfort you through a difficult time. Maybe it was a bad day, a break-up, or on a much larger scale, the death of a loved one.
This post was inspired by the recent loss of a friend and mentor, who also happened to love dogs. During his illness his companion, a rescue, provided countless hours of comfort not only to him but also his wife. After his passing, their companion continues to help his wife through the grieving process.
At times, my own companions have been the only ones that have witnessed my tears and felt the depth of my grief. They allow me to sit and cry without apology or need for comfort. Their presence offers more support than any words can possibly give. They sense the pain and gently stay by my side. They ask nothing, and they give everything in return – themselves, their love, and their loyalty. Even now, as my grief ebbs and flows, they seem to know just the right time to sit with me and just “be”.
During WWII, a tiny Yorkie named “Smoky” became the first documented therapy dog. Since then, therapy dogs have been used in many settings with a notable increase in funeral homes to offer comfort to those mourning their loved ones. As Petey and Marina sit by my side and offer unspoken support, I look at them and wonder who is rescuing whom.
https://blogs.babble.com/pets/2012/09/13/study-dogs-really-do-feel-your-pain/
https://www.springerlink.com/content/u514vmqvg2627pk4/fulltext.pdf
https://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/grief-therapy.html
https://caninecomfort.us/
https://www.michmemfuneralhome.com/griefdog.html
https://www.zoomroomonline.com/culver-city/first-therapy-dog.html
by Denise | Jul 19, 2012 | Stories |
Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue
How you can help today
Please help us publicize Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue, a special online global event held on July 23, 2012 stressing the importance of dog adoption. Dog Rescue Success is proud to partner with Blog Catalog, BTC4animals.com and YOU to harness a global online community to help save the lives of dogs in need.
1.) Grab a badge from the sidebar.
Paste the code from Dog Rescue Success‘s sidebar to your blog’s sidebar. This lets folks know you’re taking part and how they can too. Copy any of the event images too!
2.) Tell others!
Post this to Facebook and Twitter:
SPREAD THE WORD – BLOGGERS UNITE FOR DOG RESCUE – Promote dog adoption on July 23rd! #BloggersUniteforDogRescue>
ON JULY 23rd:
Post your Blog Entry
ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY:
- Blogging about a Dog Rescue related topic on July 23rd, 2012
- Adopting a companion: https://theshelterpetproject.org/
- Donating to a local dog rescue organization
- Fostering a dog
- Volunteering at a local shelter or rescue organization
- Sharing this post across all forms of social media and encourage others to participate!
TALKING POINTS FOR YOUR BLOG
- Millions of dogs are euthanized each year because not enough people are adopting dogs through local rescue groups and shelters. Instead, many people purchase from pet stores not knowing that most come from puppy mills – read more at: https://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/puppy-mills/puppy-scams-cons.aspx: Additionally, many people underestimate the the time and dedication it takes to become a responsible pet owner, and surrender their dogs, or worse.
- Local dog rescue organizations consist of volunteers who help by fostering dogs in their own homes while they search for permanent placement, taking dogs to adoption events, fundraising to cover medical and boarding costs to name a few. Most rescue groups do not have the luxury of employees or people dedicated to promoting their efforts on a large scale. This is where Bloggers can give these unsung heroes and homeless dogs a voice.
- As their own resources permit, these groups work with local animal shelters in an effort to place adoptable dogs that are scheduled for euthanization. The sad fact is that many dogs die every day before they find a “forever home”. The commercials you see on television about neglect and abuse are very real. Consumers can literally save a dog’s life simply by choosing adoption over a pet store or breeder purchase.
- Per the HSUS, “Nationwide, only about 20 percent of dogs in homes come from shelters—the rest come from other sources. It would only take a relatively small increase in the adoption rate along with a modest reduction in the birth rate to go a long way toward solving the problem of euthanizing healthy and treatable dogs in many communities.” We all have the ability to make a difference in the world by taking action. Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue participants have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of dogs in need.
RESOURCES
Learn more about puppy mills: https://www.aspca.org/Fight-Animal-Cruelty/puppy-mills
Need help for your rescue group?:
https://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/resourcelibrary/adoptionsindex.cfm
Deaf Dog Rescources: https://www.catatonic.freeservers.com/penny/deafdogs.html
Dog Trainers: https://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx
by Denise | Jul 4, 2012 | Care and Training, Stories |
Happy Independence Day!
I hope you have a wonderful day planned doing something you enjoy to celebrate our freedom. If those plans happen to include leaving your companions at home, I’ve included links to two articles with tips for helping your dogs cope with fireworks anxiety.
We happen to live in an area where every night at 9;50 p.m., we can hear the fireworks show at SeaWorld. Thankfully, Petey and Marina have been with us long enough to finally be desensitized to them. The louder Fourth of July fireworks still give them a bit of anxiety but on a much smaller scale than when thy first joined us. In the years that we are not at home, we make sure to leave the TV on to help block out some of the noise.
Our previous companion, Canjun, was deathly afraid of load noises and never adjusted to them. The weekly trash trucks would scare him to the point that he would shake for an hour after they left. Fireworks were very difficult for him. You have to know your dog and what works best for them. If you leave your companions alone today, make sure that every possible escape route is blocked off. Even a tall fence isn’t always enough to stop a traumatized dog from jumping over – especially the wooden fences that have the backs of the boards facing towards your yard – they make great steps for leverage. More dogs escape on this day than any other.
Please take a moment to read some of the tips below. If you have a tip that worked well for you – I’d love for you to share it in the comment section. Have a safe and happy Independence Day!
From Cesar Milan: https://www.cesarsway.com/tips/seasonal/fireworks
From Mad Mikes America: https://madmikesamerica.com/2011/07/top-10-tips-for-calming-your-dogs-july-4th-fireworks-fears/
Don’t forget to share YOUR tips!
