pet death

Saying Goodbye to Two Dear Animal Friends: Part One

Posted by Barbara Techel

The past few weeks have been a bit difficult with two dear animal friends in my life who went to the Rainbow Bridge.  It is oh, so hard, to lose our own, but I’ve lost two critter friends that were like family to me.  Though my heart breaks for the loss of each of them, I feel so blessed to have had each of them in my life.

So I say goodbye to Sunshine and Kirby.  Today I share Sunshine with you and Wednesday, the 26th I will share Kirby.

SUNSHINE


Sunshine, the handsome, regal, Maine Coon Cat who was one of the most loving cats I have ever known. Early today, while in my mom’s arms, he took his last breath.  He was only 7-years old. He was my mom’s cat and the best kitty brother a girl could ever ask for.

For quite a few years every winter for 6-8 weeks Sunshine would stay with me while my mom and her husband were in Florida.  He always made himself perfectly at home and I loved that he felt so comfortable with us.

One year he stayed with me a few months after I had lost my cat Dani, so it was so comforting to have a cat hang out with me in my big chair when I read.  He and Frankie just loved to snuggle and play together!

(I always loved this photo of the two… as if Frankie is saying, “Mom can we PLEASE keep him?  I love him so much!)

Frankie was head over heels in love with Sunshine!  And it is because of Sunshine that nine months after Frankie’s IVDD diagnoses, that she begin to try and walk.  She so wanted to be wherever Sunshine was, so when not in her wheelchair she started to “hop” like a rabbit to be near him.  I attribute her on and off hopping to this day to Sunshine.  Thank you so much, Sunshine.

Sunshine was diagnosed with kidney disease a few months ago and my mom thought she would have more time with him yet, as kidney disease can progress slowly.  But in a recent exam tough news came that Sunshine had an enlarged heart with a blood clot that could move at any moment.  He would be leaving sooner than we anticipated.

I asked if I could please come say goodbye.  He was a part of me and my life and I just needed to let him know I loved him one more time.

Saying goodbye to Sunshine with my mom’s dogs, DollyJo (left) and Charley looking on.

My mom said Sunshine was spending most of his time in his bed since his heart disease diagnoses and was not eating much. The day I visited he let me hold him.  Then he sat near my chair and I felt as if he knew I was there to say goodbye.  I held him one more time and then he decided it was time to head back to his bed.

So as yesterday came towards a close and my mom grappled with making the right choice for Sunshine, he no longer would take food or water.  And my mom said as she looked into his eyes she saw he was no longer “here.” She knew it was time.  She had a dream that night that Sunshine was with his sister Missy in heaven.  As she got to the vet and was waiting in the vet room to have him put to sleep, she was holding him, when he died in her arms.

Though it so hard to say goodbye there is such comfort and peace that came from the signs that appeared to help my mom know it was ok.

We all want to know when it is the “right time” and so often there is no answer to that question even when we look to others for guidance. It is something we must open our hearts to, though we know it will cause great pain… but that pain means we love and we feel joy and are so alive. And for me, I wouldn’t trade any of it… the love, the joy, the pain, and the heart break.

Sunshine was truly a beautiful soul.  I wish everyone could have known him.  He was one of a kind, and will be greatly missed.  But my dear little Maine Coon friend, I feel you in my heart, swishing that magical tail of yours against my heart strings, and I know you will always be with me… and with all those who loved you.

Many blessings to you in your new journey, my friend.  I’ll take good care of Mom till we all meet again.

For more information on cardiac problems in Maine Coon cats, which is on the rise, here is an article discussing this disease.

A Tribute to Daisy, Eddie’s Wheels Mascot

Posted by Barbara Techel


It was so hard to hear about the passing of Daisy, who for 16-years was the mascot for Eddie’s Wheels. She passed away from a stroke.  I cried like a baby reading the news.

In 2006 after researching many different wheelchair companies to have one fitted for my little Frankie, I kept going back to Eddie’s Wheels.  Their story of why they started the company because of Ed’s Doberman, Buddha, had who suffered a back injury many years ago, and how Ed designed a wheelchair for his beloved Buddha really spoke to my heart .  At the time, Ed’s vet didn’t think a wheelchair would work for the dog… but Ed and Buddha proved him wrong.

Seeing how well Ed’s dog did, the vet started referring people to Ed for wheelchairs for their pets.  Eddie’s Wheels was born out of love to help other animals thrive and live happy, long lives despite a disability.

In 2001 they adopted Daisy and here is her story from Eddie’s Wheels website:

Chief Executive Dog, Ret.  Daisy was born in Ecuador, raised in Jersey City and became disabled due to 4 herniated discs in 2001.

Judged not to be a surgical candidate, she was surrendered to the St. Francis of Assisi Shelter who contacted us about wheels.

We adopted Daisy in September of 2001.  She has been a brilliant ambassador for disabled dachshunds, demonstrating an irascible spirit and feisty attitude that challenges anyone who would dare pity her.

I agree with all my heart of what a brilliant ambassador Daisy was for disabled dachshunds.  Doxie’s do have this amazing fighting spirit and Daisy was no exception.  Her love for life on wheels is one of the main reasons I chose Eddie’s Wheels.  I fell head over heals in love with her!

It is especially hard for me knowing how these special needs pets can truly change our lives, like Daisy has done just that  for Ed and Leslie and those that knew her… and knowing I will face this someday with Frankie.

But Daisy has made such an incredible impact on the lives of many animals, proving that the word disability is just a word… give a doxie a challenge and they will take it on with their upbeat, determined feisty spirit, and let nothing get in their way.

Daisy taught us that life goes on, and when you have wheels, you can fly pretty darn fast!  She taught us to treat her no different than anyone else and as her bio said, don’t dare take pity on her.

Ed, Leslie and all the Eddie’s Wheels family, please know my heart is heavy for the loss of such an amazing dog that Daisy was, and that I will miss her greatly.  But how blessed I feel to have found you in a time of great need, and how Daisy truly inspired me and gave me hope, that my doxie, Frankie could live a full, happy, quality life just like Daisy. I’ll always be incredibly grateful.  And Frankie promises to carry on with Daisy’s message as only a doxie can do… and that Eddie’s Wheels will always be our #1 recommendation for wheelchairs for pets.

Rest in peace, Daisy… Frankie and I shall miss you very much….

As a special tribute dedicated to the memory of Daisy we share the illustration and page in our book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog 


Everyone hopes I will walk again and I do not want to disappoint them. However, after three months, not much as changed in my legs. But Mom and Dad do not give up on me and find another way for me to walk with wheels! It is a cart made especially for dogs similar to a wheelchair they make for people.

My mom researches the internet and finds a good cart. The president of the company is a dog who looks just like me and her name is Daisy. She is also paralyzed and has a cart. One night Mom and Dad measure from the bottom of the floor to the top of my belly, the base of my neck to the tip of my tail, and then around my little chest. The cart will fit me perfectly and I will be able to zoom down the block!

Thank you again, Daisy for being our hero on wheels, and giving us hope that our little Frankie would live a happy life on wheels!

Euthanasia: How to Know When it is Time

Posted by Barbara Techel

Thank you to Ingrid King and the Conscious Cat for allowing me to repost this post about knowing when it is time to say goodbye.  I thought it was so well said.

 

Making a decision about whether or when the time is right for euthanasia is one of the hardest things someone loving a pet will ever go through. Unlike human medicine, veterinary medicine is fortunate to be able to legally offer the option of gently ending suffering when there seems to be no hope for recovery. It is a difficult decision to make at best, and it can be nearly impossible for some pet owners. There are so many factors that play into it. The term that is used the most in this context is “quality of life.” But what does that really mean? Are there hard and fast rules as to what constitutes good quality of life? Of course not. Quality of life means something different for every person, and for every animal.

There are some fairly obvious markers. Pain is one of them. No pet owner wants to see a beloved pet suffer. Animals, especially cats, are masters at masking pain, so this can be difficult to detect. Another marker is appetite. For most pet owners, the first indication that something is wrong is usually when a pet stops eating. A third important marker is dignity. Is the pet still able to relieve herself on her own, or does she need assistance with urination and defecation?

But even these three markers are not always helpful when trying to make a decision. Pain can be managed with medication. Some pets stop eating or eat very little but are still happy and are enjoying life. And who is to say that the dog that needs assistance with being carried outside to urinate or the cat who needs help to get into the litter box and needs to be cleaned off afterwards does not appreciate this level of care from his loving human and is otherwise happy and content?  Each pet is different, and each relationship between human and animal is unique.  There is no one right answer.

It is often said that making the decision to euthanize a pet is the final gift of love we can give our animals. I wholeheartedly believe that, but it still does not make the decision process any easier. Love and denial can be intricately linked, and it can sometimes be difficult to separate one from the other.

It is often said that we will just “know” when the time is right.  And I believe that when we do connect with the essence of our animals and manage to set aside worry and fear for even just a few moments at a time, we will know.  It takes courage to set aside our fears, and to tune in to the animal and really “hear”  them.  Ultimately, the only way any of us can make this decision is by listening to our animal friends with our hearts, not with our heads. It becomes a decision of love, not something to be reasoned out on an analytical and intellectual level.