Epil-K9 Memorial 2008

February

Dudley Entwistle

8/09/98 - 2/26/08

Dudley came to us in Dec. of 1998. 4 months old and adorable. He was the best boy. You could walk him with one finger on the leash.I swear that inside of him was a person trying to get out. He had the most expressive eyes I have ever seen in a dog. I could almost feel him trying so hard to talk sometimes. His gaze could be so intense!

He was about 2 ½ when the seizures started. Shortly after that he went on the meds. He never gave us a bad time with taking anything. I think he knew we were helping him.

Everything happened so fast at the end. He was sick for only a couple days but you could tell he wasn’t himself. I took him to the vet and after some blood work was done, it was found that he was in kidney failure and was also anemic. Even with treatments we would have gotten only a month or two more. Transfusions and injections would have been in his future and we decided to not put him through it. Let him go peacefully.

Rest in peace, my sweet boy. Know that your Daddy and I loved you so much!! A part of us goes with you. I know you are without pain now. Run and play with your big brother Chip and know we will see you again. Bogart misses you and so do we.

Dudley is missed by his Mom and Dad, Pam & Mark Entwistle

Lucky was the first special medical needs case our Sanctuary took in 15 years ago, even before we had our own children.

He is the reason we are who we are today and help the ones that are traditionally seen as "less than perfect".Lucky was tossed from a car as a puppy and left roadside, Lucky also had idiopathic epilepsy and separation anxiety that lasted years which finally faded away. In addition, as mysteriously as the epilepsy came on, it completely disappeared and he lived without seizures for the last 8 years of his life.

Lucky was always the first to greet any of the new dogs or cats coming through the Sanctuary doors, showing the ropes so too speak, and warmly showed them all, life was good here..he also loved every person whom he ever met. In 2006 he was diagnosed with Degenerative Mylothopy, which we provided him with supplements to ensure he would remain as comfortable, carefree and mobile as he possibly could be. And boy did he remain mobile!

March 15, 2008 Lucky lost his final battle against bone cancer. His head in my arms, tears rolling from my face, onto his, telling him he would be safe, deeply loved forever, and we would meet again at the Rainbow Bridge

Lucky taught us everything we know about compassion, dedication, unconditional love in good times and bad, and most of all sometimes, hope, love and faith is all you need.

Many thanks to Dr Vachon and the staff at Lafontaine Vet Clinic, who treated Lucky over the years, in addition to being there for all of us, including Lucky, when it was time to say good bye

Rest in Peace my Dear Boy Lucky..
We will miss you dearly until we meet again...

Epi-Daytona got her halo this morning (3-28-08) at 2:30am after a hard night with many seizures. We are not sure what happened but we could not get her seizures to stop so when I took her in to the emergency vets I made the decision to set her free from this horrid disease and she ran over the rainbowbridge with me and her favorite vet by her side.

She was so young, almost 2 years old. She knew how to win over your heart with her soft eyes. She was my shadow. If I would have known how she would follow me around I would have called her Shadow. I only had her for seven months but she had my heart from day one.

At times I would think how it would have been if I never got her but now she is not here it is nothing like I thought. There is a huge vacancy in our home and in my heart. I would do it again in a heart beatjust to have her run into me one more time or take up the whole bathroom when I would take a shower.

My pupper buddy, you were the best dog I could have had. You were full of unconditional love and deserved a longer life. The cats have all been looking for you in anticipation of you chasing them. You taught me to be more responsible.

Live free and healthy and someday we will be together again. Find Angel Maggie and thank her for sending you to me. You will always be in my heart. I love you my velcro baby.

Sadly missed by mommy Elaine, daddy, (cats)Felix,
Dirty Nose, Scampers, Little Guy and (hamsters) Chip
and Dale.

April

Sandy
adopted 11/30/2002- 4/15/2008

We had to say goodbye to our Epi girl Sandy today. The epilepsy had taken its toll.

I adopted Sandy from a rescue in 2002. she was only a year old. She was such a terrier! Sandy was a Mix but a large part of the mixture was Irish Wolfhound. She talked about every thing, as Irish wolfhounds ar known for. Sandy loved her new home and her new family. She lived inside,slept next to mommy's bed, she was allowed on the furniture. She had cats to chase, toys to rip up and followed us around every where. One time Sandy got out of the fenced in back yard and she ran around frantically trying to get back in, she didn't want to be lost again.

In may of 2004 Sandy had her 1st seizure. It was terrible, we worked with our Vet to put her on Phenobarbital and suggested we take note of the weather. Sure enough, a day or two before a storm or weather change where a weather Low was involved she would have her seizures. We couldn't stop the weather, but knowing it would bring them on would help us predict and prepare. Sandy even donated some of her blood to research at North Carolina State to hopefully try to help other epi dogs.

I spent many sleepless nights holding her and re-assuring her when she seized. I think caring for her in this special way brought me closer to her than some of my other dogs. The seizures eventually took their toll. she developed acid reflux, severe arthritis, and obvious pain and discomfort. Her vet and I did all we could for her. It became clear it was time for her suffering to end.

Sandy. I love you sweetie and I will think of you always. You made a big change in my life, I'm glad we had each other while we did!

I remember the day I first saw her - 6 weeks old, in a farm yard, in the west of Scotland. She came over and backed in between my boots and sat down. I was"claimed" by her. It was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. From the start she was a "talker"-one of her most endearing characteristics which continued until the day before she died. She amazed me as a pup when she brought things back to me without being asked, and dropped them at my feet. She sat immediately to the whistle and learned how to read hand signals from a distance. This pup had the makings of a special dog. In time, she accompanied round my lambing time duties, on boats, up mountains, in cars, on adventures, on boring days, to dances, to musical events, to the college I worked in. In fact everywhere I went, she was not far away.

In 2005 we were on the hill one day when she stopped suddenly, held up a leg, limped back to me and, with glazed eyes, fell over. This was the start of a life with epilepsy. It took nearly two years to be diagnosed, by which time we had been through some awful days. In 2007, the vet eventually saw her doing what I had been at pains to describe for many months. "non text book" epilepsy were his words. The seizures were brought on by exertion and excitement, both of which are the mainstays of a bordercollie's life! From then on the relationship changed. When she knew she was about to seize, she would try to make it back to my side. She now needed me in a very different way. I grieved then for the dog who could no longer go anywhere or do anything with me. Life had suddenly changed. Much adjustment was needed. I began to love a familiar, but somewhat different, dog whose active world had shrunk to the house, garden and car.

I want to publicly remember the friend who stayed with me when I lost the love of my life, when I thought I couldn't go on when the days were dark and the pain was almost too much. She provided such unconditional love. She perceived my thoughts almost before I did. She was fun to be with. She was the special dog I'd always hoped I'd have.

Moss is buried on the hillside above my cottage. A cairn marks the spot – an unobtrusive reminder of this woman’s most loyal friend.

A piece of me died this week. Our beloved, "Shelby",has gone to heaven, as we had to send her to the "Bridge". In spite of her youth and vigor the seizures had taken their toll, over thepast year. This ugly disease was only found a little over a year ago.....not nearly enough time for me to acclimate to the dreadful spector of losing her. And in spite of numerousmedications, she is gone...quietly gallant to the end, perking her ears and cocking her head expectantly at my voice to the last.

Trusting, loving and independant, she sought to please us with every breath. She began to seize on wednesday evening, around 11 pm, and continued every 2 hours thru friday morning. Calling her vet, Dr. Mich, said it was time to ease her pain and suffering. We arranged to meet Dr. Mich at the office a few hours later, giving us the opportunity to share a few last hours with our "Princess". And so we laid with her and held her and whispered into her ear as she softly licked my face. Finally, we knew it was time to visit the vet. Shelby suddenly while at her office, began to violently seize, We carried her to an exam room and laid her on the floor and I held her, as Dr. Mich sent her to the "Bridge".

I can't begin to say how much I miss my dear Shelby. I want her back. I am an open wound...a walking bruise. She gave me unconditional love, never complaining, asking nothing in return except a little food and water. To save her I would have given up everything.

How could this have happened to one so innocent, one so young, and one that we loved so much? We will bury her ashes with dignity, with her favorite toy and pictures of those who cared, under a new tree. From death will, a memorial will grow a living testament to her bright eyes, gallant heart, and inquisitive mind....She truly was our sweet "Princess Shelby".But nothing can capture how much I loved her. She will live forever in my heart.

Zoey was just such a phenomenal dog. We had three dogs; and Zoey was everyone's favorite. I can honestly say I've never known a sweeter, more tolerant dog (we also have a toddler). We adopted Zoey from the D.C. Animal Rescue League when she was 18 months old. We knew very little about her except that she was very thin, and she'd spent the past 9 months of her life in a crate at a local veterinarian's office because her previous owner had never come back for her. To say Zoey was full of life is an understatement. Her favorite activities were chasing a ball, chasing squirrels, or running for the sheer joy of it. Zoey taught me to live in the moment, to love life and forget about the past. We miss her so much. ÊShe has left a great void in our home.

"Love is stronger than death, even though it can't stop death from happening. No matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love, and it can't take away our memories. In the end, life is stronger than death."

Precious, you walked into our lives in 2004 after living a hard life. Before you came to us,you had lived in 3 homes that we know of. You were abused and neglected. At first, you were scared. When we would take you for car rides, you looked scared. It was almost like you were saying: Where am I going to live now? But we always brought you back home. I hated to take you to the vet for the day because I was afraid you would think we were not coming back for you. But we did. In time you grew to trust us. You grew to learn our routines. In August of 2007, you terrified us by having your first of many seizures. We rushed you to the emergency vet where they told us you had epilepsy. We were scared, but you were more scared. The vet told us you would be fine as long as you took your medication. And that was a struggle. Sometimes you refused to take that medication. But we were clever. We snuck it in whatever we could find. You were so special to us. I'm so glad we could make your last years peacefully. That last night, I knew something was wrong. And I checked on you throughout the night. I thought you were having a bad day. The look in your eyes told me you knew too. On July the 4th 2008, you crossed over the rainbow bridge. Now you can be free and you'll be loved by God just as much as you were with us. We love you girl. And we miss you.

"Our love for you from the very start, grew until you filled our hearts.
Powerful Pammy you were always my protector
Then, epilepsy attacked you at age six
And, I became your protector against seizures.

You no longer have to fight this disease,
And, I am thankful for that
But, my selfish love for you
Misses you so very much.

Rest well my dear Pammy

I know you are always with me, tucked within my heart
And, waiting for me."

Bossco
September 5, 2003 - July 20, 2008

"One who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
a Dog." -

Lord Byron Epitaph to a Newfoundland Dog

I'm sorry our time together was so short but grateful to have had you in our lives.You are sorely missed.

Frankie, our little man...You are loved so much, and gave so much PURE love in return. I am so sorry you had to deal with this disease. You were so strong and brave and pushed forward with your bulldog determination. Your time with us was much too short, but we must celebrate what time we did have with you. I miss you being my shadow....we miss your sighs, your snoring, your silly burps, your dancing, your happy wiggle, your "talking", your sunbathing, your hugs, you sliding down the stairs, your napping by Luke's crib, your "help" giving Luke a bath, your head tilt when we talked to you, even your barking because you have to go potty, again, for the third time in the past hour (damn medicine), your patience in sitting and waiting for your "medi"--thank you for taking it so well, you were always such a good boy. Everywhere you were, heads turned-you were a beautiful being, inside and out, and we miss you, ALL of you, so much. Home has such a void without you--you completed our family-you will always be in our hearts, on our minds and spoken of with so much love.

Luke asks for you everyday...he's learning to live without you for the first time. Daddy still tells him "be tough like Frankie" and "big and strong like Frank." He will never forget you, his very best friend-you were the first being he told he loved. And your love for him was so apparent; Thank you for being his wonderful "big brother." You cared for each other unconditionally. I will never forget, while you were seizing, Luke saying "It's ok Frankie, don't do that, it's ok." Even so young, he, like us, hated that you had to go through that.

Thank you for all of your subtle reassurances that you are still with us. I cherish your morning rainbows and can only smile everytime I see your name or your "make" plastered throughout this world. As you were in life, you are still an amazingly caring and protective being.

Gone from our sight...but never our memory,
gone from our hearing...but never our hearts,
gone from our touch...but your presence is felt,
and the love that you gave us will never depart.

Princess was our first dog since I was a child. We went to the local shelter and saw her huddled in the back and we fell in love with her there and then. When we adopted her and filled out the paperwork, the shelter worker told us that she was old and that that evening had no one adopted her, she'd have been put to sleep. Well we didn't care about her age and after we learned she'd be put to sleep we definitely had to have her. We took her the next day to the vet and he aged her at around 2.5 years old by her teeth so that tells you how good some are at aging a dog based on appearance. She's been with us through thick and thin and about 5 or 6 years ago, she had a lump on her rump and it was diagnosed as cancerous after the vet removed it and biopsied it. Luckily he said we got all of it and it hadn't had a chance to spread but naturally we kept our eye on it.

Then about 3 years ago she had her first seizure but the vet couldn't find anything wrong with her. Then a few months later she had another but after that she hadn't had another seizure til this past July 4th when she had a nasty one. I took her to the vet and all we could find was that her kidney enzymes were still elevated; this was after we already knew she had a kidney problem a month prior and we had switched her food and taken her off her arthritis medicine. She had 2 more seizures the following day on July 5th but after that nothing more til 3. September.

That night she had one seizure after another; always regained her balance and everything but kept having more. When we took her to the vet he wanted to keep her there for the day to give her medication intravenously and to run some bloodwork on her. She was such a brave girl; from the first night she came home she tried to get up and walk around even though she couldn't. Her little "brother" was great to her. We have had Ankh for 3 years now and during that time he always bugged her to pieces and wouldn't let her have any attention without him coming in the middle of it but the last few days of her life he let her have the pet bed to herself, he came and barked at me when he heard her crying to make sure I'd check up on her and he came a few times to her just to inspect and make sure she's ok. Well Monday morning, the 8th after 4 days of no food and just some water she still wasn't eating and she couldn't even stand up with my help anymore. I called the vet and we came in immediately and he wasn't happy about the look of things. He wanted to keep her again to run some blood work and to give her some fluids. Within half an hour we got the dreaded call that her kidneys were going crazy; the levels were so high that his machine couldn't even read it anymore and her phosphorous levels were also at the extreme high end. We had to make the very difficult decision; we wanted to keep her alive but not at the expense of her health or at the expense of respect to her as a living being. We went in there and were with her at her final time and it will be etched in my mind's eye for ever. But I wouldn't trade the time we had with Princess or being with her at the final moment for anything in the world. She brought us much joy and laughter over the years and we will have memories we will treasure for the rest of our lives. We would like to thank Dr. Casey Thomas and his entire staff for all their care, love and support over the years with Princess and we know they did all they could for her and they've really been fantastic to us with her passing.

Rest in True Peace my dear Princess, you will be loved and remembered always by us and your little "brother" Ankh.

Kermit Peabody Foster

April 2000 - September 4, 2008

Kermit, you were the light of our lives. You were such a sweet boy. We would have kept you forever, but we could not keep the seizures away.
This is Kermits story, but words cannot express how we miss him.

Kermit was born in AZ. He was meant to be our little boy. He lived a healthy, happy 3 years until his first seizure on a Friday night at 11 pm. We rushed him to the vet ER and they saved his life. We put him on Phenobarbital. 2 years later he had a life-threatening (day long) seizure and another emergency vet visit saved his life. We added Potassium Bromide to his meds but he still had seizures no matter what special diet or regimen we tried. At one point we had cut out every possible trigger from his diet, he homemade meals...still he had seizures. We gave him valium when he would have cluster seizures that would not stop. When we moved to SC we had high hopes that a new environment would help Kermit but instead the seizures increased. For 5 1/2 years we lived in fear of seizures and I am sure that he did as well. Kermit had good days too. He loved to lay in the sun in the summer and by the fireplace in the winter. He loved being with the family and walks with Bill at night. Kermit ran on the beaches of the Pacific and the Atlantic. I believe that he's one of only a few dogs who can say that they did that. He had his own birthday party at age 4 at the Huntington Dog Beach (invitations, all his doggie friends, presents- you name it). Kermit slept in bed, on my right side for 7 1/2 years of his life. We moved him into his crate at night for the last year because Sampson could not sleep in bed anymore due to his incontinence. We didn't think that it was fair to let one in bed and not the other. Kermit was a good little boy whose only bad trait was his enjoyment with eating poop and then mouthing the children's toys and food. He had numerous life threatening seizures but the valium was always able to keep him with us. In the past year we started to notice that Kermit was having many more bad days than good ones. Finally on September 4, 2008 Bill and I decided to let our little boy go in peace. He was only 8 1/2 years old. I miss him most when I am driving home because I remember that he is not here waiting for me. Kermit was a special soul and I will think of him every day of my life.

The first two pictures are of when he was a puppy. The one of him in his bed was taken in August. He did not realize that we had placed a piece of steak in his bed. The last photo was taken on September 4, 2008.

Kermit, we love you and know that you are waiting for us without the pain of seizures and medicine.
Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Lexie, Lila and your life-partner, Sampson

I adopted Murphy from a pug rescue last summer because I wanted to get a companion for my other pug, Roxie. I was told that he was about 5 years old and was totally healthy. He was found wandering the streets of Miami and had been in two different shelters before going to the pug rescue. When I brought him home I noticed he was very calm and didn't jump around as much as Roxie, but I just figured that they had opposite personalities. About 2 months after adopting him he had his first seizure on a Wednesday night at 2am. I had never seen a seizure before, but I knew right away that's what it was. I rushed him to the emergency vet in a panic, and they found nothing. I lived in a constant state of anxiety, watching him like a hawk, because I was so afraid it would happen again. About a month later, he had another and this was the beginning of what would be over a year of seizures, medication and vet visits. He was put on Phenobarbital and later Potassium Bromide, but we could never really get the seizures under control and his backlegs were incredibly weak and never improved. He went three months seizure free after starting the Potassium Bromide, but then started having them again on an almost weekly basis. We increased his meds, but it didn't really make a difference.

After moving this past June, I took Murphy to a new vet who referred him to a neurologist. The neurologist found he had severe hip displaysia and also suspected a spinal cord disease. She prescribed Rimadyl for his hip pain and he was like a new dog. He was happy, and playing and much more steady on his feet. He also wasn't having any seizures during this time, so he was doing great overall. Unfortunately, it didn't last. After about 2 months on the Rimadyl, we noticed his back legs were starting to get bad again. He was having trouble getting up and was starting to run into things and fall over very easily. On his last night, we had to hold him up to eat, drink and go potty. He deteriorated so fast, it was heartbreaking. The next day I could not stand to see him like that anymore. He had zero quality of life and was not even responding to us when we called his name, etc. We brought him to the emergency vet on Saturday morning, where the vet there confirmed he had a spinal cord disease called Degenerative Myelopathy, which is basically when the immune system attacks the nerve cells in the spinal cord. His brain could no longer communicate with the rest of his body. Everything he said about the disease described Murphy exactly. He was essentially becoming paralyzed, and there was no cure or treatment. The vet also told us that Murphy was closer to being 10 years old, which we had suspected all the time.

We made the painful decision to send him to the bridge that morning. We felt like there was no other choice, as he was no longer able to do anything on his own. There is a huge void in our lives right now. Our "shadow" is no longer there. We miss his "food dance", his little howl when he hears a dog bark or a doorbell ring, weekend mornings cuddling in bed, and playing tug with his favorite toy "the orange ring". We miss everything about him. I wish we'd had more time with him, but I'm happy that we could at least give him a good home, good care and lots of love or the last year and a half of his life. He taughtus so much and definitely changed us for the better. Now we really know the meaning of "unconditional love". We miss you Murphy Moe, our sweet little puglet...daddy, mama and your sister Roxie will never forget you. Now you can run and jump around like you always wished you could.....

Cici was born August 22 1992 & went to the Bridge October23 2008,
Ruffy was born August 22 1992 & went to the Bridge August 24 2008

A good dog never dies, she always stays; she walks beside you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields & winter's drawing near,
her head is within our hand in her old way. (M.C.Davies)

I bred Tot from my own female Border Collie - Jen, There were 7 puppies in the litter. Tot was the second smallest, (the smallest died at 3 days old). I fell in love with her immediately, I recognised her fiesty spirit and will to live, she battled hard, now being the smallest, to get her share of the milk and any food that was going. Of course I kept an eye on her and made sure she always got her share. She grew up to be my special, adorable Little Miss Tot. One night 9 month later, I was awakened to a horrific noice coming from Tot's crate. Tot was having her first Grand Mal seizure. I was terrified, I had never seen anything so horrible. I shed many tears, this was my special, delightful pup, full of life and energy why had she been struck down with this terrible disease. The rest of the litter was unaffected.

This started Tot and my 10 year battle with epilepcy. We won a lot of battles but I knew we would never win the war. Little Miss Tot was on high doses of Phenobarbotol and Potasium Bromide. We never really achieved good control, the best was 4 months which Tot achieved at the time of her passing. Little Miss Tot also suffered a stroke, and recovered but never lost that strange dragging of the toe on her right front foot. In the last years the seizures slowly took her eyesight, but being the fiesty girl she was she never let that hold her back.

Little Miss Tot crossed suddenly to the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday October 19, 2008 from liver complications. Little Miss Tot was my precious girl. I have a hole in my heart so large that it will never be filled. She was my life, my love, my heart. We shared some funny times together. I will always treasure those memories.

Run free, run fast my adorable Little Miss Tot. You are in my thoughts and I know we will meet again my sweet girl, I love you so.

Buzz came into our lives at nine weeks old as my Birthday present. We fell in love with you right away and you had a way of looking atus as if you knew what we were thinking. You were a best friend to Daddy and a big suck with Mama and we will never forget your big Husky smile. I miss you greeting me at the door everyday when I come home from work with your big kisses cause Daddy told you to wait for Mama. Josh misses how you would jump on him and try to chew on his hands when he came home.

When you started having seizures we were so scared for you and even through all the meds you were a happy boy. All you ever wanted was for someone to play with you or to go swimming in your pool even if we thought it was too cold.

We all spent many sleepless nights after a seizure with you pacing and not being able to sleep and Daddy and I doing whatever is was to help you. would eventually curl up on the bed and go to sleep. Whenever you slept we kept an ear open for the sound of your tags jingling to alert us if you were having a problem.Now when the house is quiet as it seems to be so much your Daddy and I swear we hear your tags jingle, maybe that is your way of telling us that you are watching over us.

You were taken from us way too soon but I know that you are no longer suffering from the dreadful seizures that scared you. You can now run and play and do the things that you could never do before. You can go to sleep now without worrying about having a seizure.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I made and ate hot meals unmolested.
I had unstained, unfurred clothes.
I had quiet conversations on the phone,
even if the doorbell rang.
Before I was a dog Mom:
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got to bed
or if I could get into my bed.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I cleaned my house every day.
I never tripped over toys, stuffies, chewies
Or invited the neighbor's dog over to play.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I didn't worry if my plants, cleansers, plastic bags,
toilet paper, soap or deodorant
were poisonous or dangerous.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I had never been peed on
Pooped on
Drooled on
Chewed on
Or pinched by puppy teeth.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I had complete control of
My thoughts,
My body and mind.
I slept all night without sharing
the covers or pillow.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I never looked into big, soulful eyes and cried.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop a hurt.
I never knew something so furry and four-legged
could affect my heart so deeply.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I had never held a sleeping puppy
just because I couldn't put it down.
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was well.
I didn't know how warm it feels inside
to feed a hungry puppy.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important.

Before I was a dog Mom:
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being
A dog Mom

You came to live with me, barely a year ago, covered in fleas, full of worms, underfed, all drugged up, deaf, almost blind, and with only a mere haze of hair on most of your body. I promised your Mom I would take good careof you. She never got well enough to take you back. I told every one I had taken in a pink polka dotted poodle. Little did I know that you would turn my life upside down and wrap your paws around my heart.Although I knew you had many health challenges, I soon discovered that you also needed major dental surgery, lots of blood work, medication for your heart, and frequent grooming despite your lack of hair. The bathroom was transformed into Charlie's Room.

Thanks to you, I learned a lot about epilepsy, grain-free kibble, amino acid therapies, ocular compression, and every calming herb and homeopathic remedy available in the Western Hemisphere. I also learned how to groom a poodle.

Then, in June, a routine blood test showed that your liver was in serious danger. I decided that the Pb had to go. You were still having seizures; we had nothing to lose. I never dreamt of what we would gain! Within 10 days of slowly decreasing your dosage, you were able to stand without falling over and your mind started to clear. By the time you were completely weaned, you were a new dog! I am so happy to have had the opportunity to know you as the brave, dignified little Prince that you really were. I truly enjoyed the walks we were able to take and watching you explore your surroundings and marvel at your improving eyesight. I especially appreciated you learning to use the wee-wee pads!

But, too many years of stress, poor diet, and minimal care took their toll. After 5 months of this new life, your body began to wear out. You put up a good fight. Then one day, you could fight no more, and I knew it was time

My fondest memories of you are our morning cuddles when I took you back to bed after your very early morning outing; you enjoying being carried you in your pink poodle pouch the days you came to work or went visiting with me; your enormous appetite and particular taste for chicken; the times you ran full face into dandelions while walking about in the yard; and tucking you into your bed at night. I will always cherish your photos with Santa taken just days before you left.

I laid your body to rest in your favorite spot in the yard, away from the dandelions. Your soul roams free.
Good buy my dear Charlie.