The Loss of a True Friend

[dowjr1]

It started with a small throat clearing sound. Then she threw up on Thursday evening so I took her into the vet on Friday March 13th...couldn't find anything. Took her in again that Monday, March 16th since she was still making the slight noise. This time I see the head vet with 14 yrs experience. Maybe an infection as perhaps a small lump in the throat...antibiotics for a few days. Next few days she starts to whine as she is clearly still uncomfortable but otherwise few problems...good energy, eating, no more vomiting. Back to the vet Fri March 20th..."nope can't find anything but we want to look at her throat again more closely on Monday." Saturday March 21 she throws up saliva and so emergency vet. Vet comes back with X-ray and says "Megaesophagus...throat gets too large from not getting signals from the brain to contract normally. Usually this is from other conditions so we need some blood tests including one for Myesthenia Gravis. MG test is only done by one lab in the US in California so will come back to us later this week." Blood test done on Monday March 23 and sent off. Symptoms get worse as more saliva regurgitation and eating food. I feed her now as she sits upright so gravity pulls the food and water into her stomach. I take her back to the specialist Wednesday so she gets 24hr professional care to manage symptoms, feeding, and medication. Thursday Myesthenia Gravis is confirmed via test results from CA. Friday eve specialist calls, "Athena is doing okay, I would not say fantastically, but she is holding her own, keeping her food and meds down. We are hoping she can come home this weekend and you can manage her care from there." I visit her Saturday and think she looks very weak but was so happy to see her for the first time since Wed. Saturday night they called and said she had taken a turn for the worse and might not last the night. They have switched the anti MG mediation to intravenous in hopes of improving results. Sunday she had weakened further...the MG was now impacting her lung function and she was barely breathing. We said goodbye at 12:35 pm March 29th. It was the worst day of my life. My heart broke as I felt her last breath across my hand. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and I have cried every day since...including now as I type. She went from jumping in and out of the car on Wednesday to dead on Sunday. I had taken her to three veterinary practices and seen 5 doctors including 2 specialists in the first 10 days of symptoms. It was still in vain. She was only 6 1/2 yrs old. MG usually affects older or younger dogs and even with medication and care only half of the dogs affected survive. I spoke with her former vet in VA who is very good and he said of the 5 or 6 dogs that had MG during his 30 yrs in practice, even with medication none lasted more than 5 months. You know dogs just don't live as long as we do and they are quite fragile. When something is wrong, they can't tell you what is hurting or sore. True and loyal friends are very rare, so take some time today to appreciate those valuable relationships and companions in your life...especially your canines. Don't get so caught up on the future...look and love what you have right now...today. Godspeed my sweet Athena. I will see you again someday and we can play again together. (Athena, black, to my left)

[Guest rob]

Very sorry to hear this, mate. My pets are very dear to me also, and when died from snakebite last year I was shattered.

Nice photo, btw.

[oliverdst]

Sorry, man.

Athena had the best owner.

You will meet again.

[westg]

Very sad...she would have felt very loved buy you.. what a beautiful looking dog .

[HarveyBoulevard]

Still miss by Bella everyday. Thoughts and prayers are with you...

[DoubleDD]

May God bless her and you. It is the hardest saying goodbye but take comfort knowing she felt comfortable knowing you were there in her final seconds. Pets are often more loyal than human friends. They don't judge you and miss you beyond belief when you leave. There is an old joke, lock your wife and your dog in a trunk for an hour, open it and see which one is happy to see you. That's true friendship.

[raymond5737]

It is hard to even imagine the pain and suffering you are going through. Keep reaching out and sharing. It will truly help you to find peace and the hope one day of getting another best friend

[Ubergosupro69]

Here's to athena

[ptrthgr8]

Athena was very clearly loved by you. We don't have kids, so our pooches are absolutely our family. Saying good-bye is terrible, but the time we're able to spend with them more than makes up for their loss.

Greg

[Quint]

so very sorry for your loss I can't imagine the day I will have to face as you have had. That's the tough part of being an animal lover and bringing them into your family they become so much a part of your family. Again very sorry for you loss.

[WarriorPrincess]

Sorry to hear, she would have been at ease seeing you there when she passed and the memories live forever.

[Rye]

My thoughts and sympathies to you. Sadly, I know the pain all too well.

Be strong!

[Elvis]

I'm terribly sorry. She was beautiful. You are quite right about valuing the relationships one has, they don't last forever and can be over in an instant.

Your post brings back memories of similar goodbyes for many of us.

[mash]

Very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful dog. Very little time to come to terms with this as well. I bet your other dog misses her as well.

[Habana Mike]

Sorry too hear. I can sympathize having lost a dog to illness a couple years back.

She was 16 and had a pretty good life right up until the end but it was devastating when we had to let her go.

[FLB03TT]

Teared up reading this. We had a similar thing happen with a Husky of almost the same age. My wife had to handle the whole ordeal alone since I was out of town and couldn't get back before she passed. We were COMPLETELY GUTTED and essentially unconsoluble.

I reached out to my sister shortly after and she sent me a quote which I have attached to a picture of our late Husky named Gizmo-

"What the heart has once known it shall never forget."

That helped short term and time will help heal the wound. "It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved before" and the love we feel for man's best friend is flawless and should be cherished every day.

Be strong and smile at the perfect memory...

[Shikar]

My German Shepard, Soosan, died when I was in med school over 20 years ago, in my arms.

I still miss Soosan,

Feel sad for you but good is Athena didn't suffer long. True friends they are.

Regards.

[FLB03TT]

Misquote above- "It is better to have loved and lost then to never have loved AT ALL." Sorry, was caught up in the moment.

[Coolio]

Sorry for your loss mate. They really are our best friends.

I can't bear the thought of my best mate not being around.

[El Presidente]

They give so much and ask so little. Condolences mate. The pain will diminish but the memory of the good times lasts forever.

[OZCUBAN]

So sorry for your loss

When you loose a special friend like that it is never easy ,pets are like loosing a family member I know from experience,it will get better over time

Steve

[OZCUBAN]

Perhaps this might be of comfort to you

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[noreaster]

Very sorry for your loss...

[airtrade]

So sorry, losing a friend is terrible.

Similar situation a few years ago with my Rottweiler. Cancer got her in two month from fine to having to have her put down. Couldn't help but cry.

[Fuzz]

Very sorry to hear about your loss.