topic Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II in Jewelry

Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

LuckyPeach — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:29:00 GMT

Even though the past couple years (due to low energy because of Hashimoto's/Addison's) I am not able to post more than small discussion threads during Judith's visits and a monthly all review thread, the JR board is still my home.

During last week's visit I wrote about getting a third rescue Yorkie from the local shelter. Even though she was heavily vaccinated (which through personal experience I believe is iffy), she came down with Kennel Cough and gave it to our other two Yorkies, a 10 lb. male and 4 lb. male, who already has a serious immune disease called Pemphigus Vulgaris. Initially, she became very ill, barely able to walk while the large male Yorkie was coughing his head off. It was awful, requiring a lot of TLC.

Our little sweet guy, Paris II (Pootie), seemed to be dodging this awful bullet for several days. His own story is that he was in line to be surrendered to the local shelter when I walked by on my way out after playing with and petting shelter dogs (something DH and I do several times per month). He was a typical champagne and silver Yorkie but with extra large eyes and friendlier than normal demeanor. I petted and admired him, talking to his owner, who looked exactly like Oprah's best friend, Gayle King. As I walked away, the owner chased me down and asked me if I wanted him. DH was waiting in the car so I asked to take Pootie and discuss it with DH. The decision was immediate and emotional: yes!

She told me only that he could use some dental work and gave me a hard hug. When we got him home and gave him a bath we realized his mouth was a drooling mess and that he was very, very ill. I gave him some pet antibiotics which saved him and got him to the vet for an intense set of tests. The results agreed with my internet research: severe Pemphigus Vulgaris. The Vet thought it was caused by over-vaccination (dosages are the same, regardless of the animal's size or age). All of the fur on his ears fell out, save for a sprinkling at the very tip of one ear. I experimented with finding the exact dosage of steroids which would help him without causing side effects. Within six months the fur grew back normally but his mouth was always an ongoing freak show, something surprisingly, he took in stride as he regained his strength.

Pootie was always the type of dog who loved everyone, which is not typical for a Yorkie. He was the star of the vet's office techs who took care of him while we were gone on two long trips in 2012 and this past Spring. He would always glide along on his deer legs, appear at one of the Tech's side and gently offer a paw in friendship.

More recently, we were so happy because Pootie was nearing a normal weight, his illness was mostly in remission and he showed a lot of confidence. Even though he was nine, his mouth was that of a dog twice his age. We've been his guardians for 2 1/2 years.

As the Kennel Cough was beginning to subside in our large male Yorkie and the female newby, Pootie suddenly took a turn for the worse. Although after a couple of days, conventional medicines and dog-sized doses of 4 Thieves remedy, the coughing stopped, Pootie became very ill.

Our house turned into a hospice. Everything revolved around Pootie and caring for him, supporting him, trying to turn things around. When he awakened at 2AM every night, we did, too. Finally, there were signs that there wasn't going to be a happy ending despite our best efforts.

Pootie and I took a bath together, removing the grime of illness. I poofed his fur out so he looked his handsome best. The two large Yorkies backed off from the water dish and stunningly waited while Pootie took his tentative sips with what little strength he had left. We sat in the sun in the back yard. Last evening I wrapped him up and lay him on top of me while DH and I watched a Netflix rental, his breathing very tense and pronounced. He looked up at me for support which flowed out of me in a river of love. His entire body shuddered for a good two minutes and then was silent, his soul flying into a different world.

We buried him under the orange tree in the back yard near our other departed pets, wrapped in one of my well-worn t-shirts and tied with ribbons.

My heart is broken in ways I cannot describe. The pain is immense and even though I know he is waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge, this is not a comfort for me...yet. ~Peach

PS~Thank-you for taking the time to share this with me.

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

PalmTree11 — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:33:19 GMT

Peach, I am so very sorry for your loss. I wish I had the words to comfort you...

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

BGDC — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:37:07 GMT

OMG - Peach,

I am so, so, so sorry. I know how you feel having lost my best boy a little more than a year ago, and I know that your heart will be broken for sometime to come. I now can think of him and smile for maybe 30 seconds until I have to change the channel because it's too upsetting.

Pootie died in your arms though, and that was the best he would have hoped for. How lucky you both were to have each other, albeit a short time, and in the end you will remember him as one of the biggest blessings in your life knowing that someday you will be together where sickness doesn't exist. At least that's how I choose to think of it.

With love and sympathy,

BGDC

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

LuckyPeach — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:38:52 GMT

On 10/17/2014 PalmTree11 said: Peach, I am so very sorry for your loss. I wish I had the words to comfort you...

PalmTree11, thank you for reading. Just taking the time to post is helpful. Thank-you~Peach

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

Oneanddone — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:41:27 GMT

Peach, I am so sorry!!

I have been there a couple of times and I know what you went through, are going through and will be going through.

You gave Pootie so much love and a wonderful life to him.

A life he would have never known if it weren't for you and your DH.

Both of you are a blessing.

You were a blessing to Pootie and Pootie was a blessing to both of you.

I understand how you feel, love can hurt, but it's still love and that in itself is beautiful!

As an animal lover thank you and your DH for being great parents to Pootie and for loving him and caring for him so much!

He will always be with you both in your heart.

Love never dies. XOXOXOXO

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

MalteseMomma — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:42:46 GMT

Godspeed Pootie

I'm so very ,very sorry for your loss. I know your heartache.

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

aprilmom — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:43:47 GMT

so sorry to hear of your loss peachie...may his memory be a blessing to you always....take care

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

LuckyPeach — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:45:33 GMT

On 10/17/2014 BGDC said:
OMG - Peach,

I am so, so, so sorry. I know how you feel having lost my best boy a little more than a year ago, and I know that your heart will be broken for sometime to come. I now can think of him and smile for maybe 30 seconds until I have to change the channel because it's too upsetting.

Pootie died in your arms though, and that was the best he would have hoped for. How lucky you both were to have each other, albeit a short time, and in the end you will remember him as one of the biggest blessings in your life knowing that someday you will be together where sickness doesn't exist. At least that's how I choose to think of it.

With love and sympathy,

BGDC

BGDC, thanks. Very sorry about your boy. I do remember that -please remind me of his name, if you can.

Thank-you for the kind thoughts. Pootie was always very brave throughout his chronic illness and it seemed so unfair for this to happen once he was becoming so robust.

Let us both believe there will be a place in the future without sickness and we can be with the pure love of our pets. Again, thank-you. ~Peach

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

Ladybug724 — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:47:16 GMT

I am so, so sorry. Your post literally brought tears to my eyes. I have a little Yorkie too. They are so sweet. I'm sorry for your loss.

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

LuckyPeach — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:50:58 GMT

On 10/17/2014 Oneanddone said:
Peach, I am so sorry!!

I have been there a couple of times and I know what you went through, are going through and will be going through.

You gave Pootie so much love and a wonderful life to him.

A life he would have never known if it weren't for you and your DH.

Both of you are a blessing.

You were a blessing to Pootie and Pootie was a blessing to both of you.

I understand how you feel, love can hurt, but it's still love and that in itself is beautiful!

As an animal lover thank you and your DH for being great parents to Pootie and for loving him and caring for him so much!

He will always be with you both in your heart.

Love never dies. XOXOXOXO

OneandDone, thanks for your beautiful words and for always being there. I agree that love never dies. Kirks Folly had that on some of their designs. I have to say that I feel like someone stabbed me in the heart. I just wish we could've saved him one more time. Thank-you~Peach

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

Sammycat1 — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:52:16 GMT

Peach, I hear in your words a shattered heart, for it's true that the hearts that love the most deeply hurt the most when they lose those close to them. (DH and I, too, have been through pets with serious illnesses requiring literally years of intensive care.)

Pootie was sent to you because God knew you were the best people to take care of him and all of his challenges. And so Pootie found angels on earth who treasured him and showered him with love and care and comfort. He knew that from the first moment he came into your arms; and he knew that as he lay in your arms one last time as he left this earth, enveloped in your love.

Pootie lives among the angels, and I have it on good authority that he's up there, bragging to all the other furbabies he's meeting for the first time, "You know something? My Mom -- and my family -- they were my champions -- they are the best!"

(((LuckyPeach)))

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

moongirl — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:57:28 GMT

LuckyPeach

As sad and heart-breaking as your story is, it written with such love ! You and Pootie were very ''lucky'' to have found each other. I am so sorry for your loss.

moongirl

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

LuckyPeach — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:58:18 GMT

On 10/17/2014 MalteseMomma said:
Godspeed Pootie

I'm so very ,very sorry for your loss. I know your heartache.

MalteseMomma, if we didn't have Yorkies (Joan Rivers started me on them), we'd definitely have a Maltese, so loving!

Thank-you for understanding the heartache. ~Peach

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

LuckyPeach — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:00:45 GMT

On 10/17/2014 aprilmom said:
so sorry to hear of your loss peachie...may his memory be a blessing to you always....take care

Aprilmom, thank-you for sending support from my dear Chicago (still missing it!!). ~Peach

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

LuckyPeach — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:02:47 GMT

On 10/17/2014 Ladybug724 said:
I am so, so sorry. Your post literally brought tears to my eyes. I have a little Yorkie too. They are so sweet. I'm sorry for your loss.

Ladybug724, thank-you very much for sharing. From one Yorkie Mom to another...~Peach

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

BGDC — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:03:53 GMT

On 10/17/2014 LuckyPeach said:
On 10/17/2014 BGDC said:
OMG - Peach,

I am so, so, so sorry. I know how you feel having lost my best boy a little more than a year ago, and I know that your heart will be broken for sometime to come. I now can think of him and smile for maybe 30 seconds until I have to change the channel because it's too upsetting.

Pootie died in your arms though, and that was the best he would have hoped for. How lucky you both were to have each other, albeit a short time, and in the end you will remember him as one of the biggest blessings in your life knowing that someday you will be together where sickness doesn't exist. At least that's how I choose to think of it.

With love and sympathy,

BGDC

BGDC, thanks. Very sorry about your boy. I do remember that -please remind me of his name, if you can.

Thank-you for the kind thoughts. Pootie was always very brave throughout his chronic illness and it seemed so unfair for this to happen once he was becoming so robust.

Let us both believe there will be a place in the future without sickness and we can be with the pure love of our pets. Again, thank-you. ~Peach

Pompon was his name, and love and happiness and cuteness was his game!!!! Let's celebrate our beautiful furry friends tonight and know that the sickness that f'd them and us out of more time is now gone and they are rolling in the grass and having a ball with their little brothers and sisters and feeling HEALTHY again. No more suffering.

Please post a picture of a happy time with him. Here is one of Pompom. He looks so big here, but only a little 12 pound coton de tulear and maybe only a year in this photo. Freshly groomed and ready for the 4th of July! xxxxoooo

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

Merrylass — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:03:54 GMT

I had hoped and prayed for his recovery and I'm sorry for your loss. My prayers for you and your family.

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

MollyMoo13 — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:04:17 GMT

Peach, I am sitting here just crying. I am so sorry for your loss! I lost my most special, favorite dog 3 years ago and it continues to hurt. Time does help, but the missing seems never go away. Try to think of all the good times, the wonderful life you gave her and just let yourself grieve. Animal lovers are a special breed of people and I truely believe God uses us for his special critters. I mean G-O-D IS DOG spelled backwards! Hang in there and know there are folks out there who understand! (As I'm sure you realize from all the sweet post already!) (((((((Hugs)))))))

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

BGDC — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:06:51 GMT

I wish that all of you would post a picture of your babies. The more the merriment of remembering how beautiful and loving they were and how happy they were to be with us. They are prolly all up there somewhere barking at the troll dogs!!! LOL!

Re: Ripkanista dog/animal lovers O/T - my Yorkie Paris II

BGDC — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:10:15 GMT

On 10/17/2014 Sammycat1 said:
Peach, I hear in your words a shattered heart, for it's true that the hearts that love the most deeply hurt the most when they lose those close to them. (DH and I, too, have been through pets with serious illnesses requiring literally years of intensive care.)

Pootie was sent to you because God knew you were the best people to take care of him and all of his challenges. And so Pootie found angels on earth who treasured him and showered him with love and care and comfort. He knew that from the first moment he came into your arms; and he knew that as he lay in your arms one last time as he left this earth, enveloped in your love.

Pootie lives among the angels, and I have it on good authority that he's up there, bragging to all the other furbabies he's meeting for the first time, "You know something? My Mom -- and my family -- they were my champions -- they are the best!"

(((LuckyPeach)))

That was very beautifully written, SC.