Cata's OJ - to the Bridge January 04, 2004

I had to let OJ go at 11 yesterday morning. He fought the good fight, and there were no opitions left. He went from a number 2 murmur to total heart failure in one week. His lungs were totally filled with fluid, and I couldn't hospitalise him just to get a couple of more weeks. We were fighting too many diseases to win.
 

The only comfort I have right now is that he has only been suffering since Friday. I never wanted to be the one to make the decision of life or death for a living  being, but it seems I wasn't to be spared that.All in all, not one of my better days.
Love....  Cata

"Catalyn" 
<catalynohj@earthlink.net> 

"Cat said, I am not a friend, and I am not a servant. I am the Cat who walks by himself, and I wish to come into your cave".   ~~ Rudyard Kipling

Dianne Prout's horse Pretty Girl who passed away in January/04
Please remember my horse, Pretty Girl, in your prayers. 
She was 33 years old and passed away recently of natural causes. 
She was my first and only horse.

Dianne

PRINCESS

To Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Today we said goodbye to our Princess.

Princess, a 62-pound shepherd/husky mixed breed crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning.

She came to our houshold as a rescued stray in 1992. In 1997 she was
diagnosed with diabetes and went blind within two months.
She stoically endured insulin injections twice a day and once her sugar
levels were regulated, received cataract surgery and regained her sight. During her surgery her brother dog Bandit, who had acted as her guide dog, succumbed to pancreatitis and she mourned him during her recuperation. Five months later, she lost her dad, my dear husband Peter, and she mourned him solemly.

Her sweetness and courage welcomed a new dad last year, along with a 9 year old boy, who was to become "her" boy. Both had previously feared dogs and she taught them how to love a fur baby, who loved unconditionally in return.

During the past year, she overcame geriatric vestibulitis (calcium deposits in the inner ear) and started showing signs of Cushings disease, just as her boy welcomed a new brother dog - Charlie - into the family, who amazingly look like her dear brother Bandit.
Recently, her rear legs had weakened, similar to the neuropathy sometimes suffered by diabetic felines. 

This morning, both rear legs were stiffened and we knew the time had come to say goodbye and release her from her trials.
Each took the chance to say their own special goodbye and send our  love with her on her last journey. 

The boy and man who feared dogs, cried at her loss and I cried at the end of this chapter, comforted by my new family.
Tonight she joins Peter and Bandit on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, running and healthy and there to greet us another day.
Our lives are all richer for having her a part of us and we mourn her.

Leni
Leni's Princess (D.  62-pound shepherd/husky mix) crossed the Rainbow Bridge February 10, 2004

Barbi's beautiful Bear Dog (Husky Mix) - 
to the Bridge Tuesday, February 10, 2004

 BearDog was a beautiful part Husky.
  BearDog just crashed, we still have no idea what happened. 
  He was 9 yrs. old last Sept. and was diabetic 3 yrs. last October. 
He was a  true BearDog......
macho on the outside, and a puppy inside. 
We miss him  just    horribly............
 still I know, it was time.

 Barbie and Her  very much missed BearDog

HAWK  OWNEBY

Linda & BBear's friend Hawk, an elderly Red Bone Hound -
to the Bridge February 27, 2004

Our beloved Hawk got sent to the bridge today.  He was a Red Bone hound that was going to be killed by his owner because of the way he ran in tracking.  We took him in and he became just a big baby.  He is now going to rest in the fields were he used to run and play.  Thank all of you to  for letting me talk about my feelings of sending him to the bridge last night.  The vet reassured us this was the best thing for him for the pain he was in, after the hurting is past I know she will probably be right.  ...

B-Bear dd 8-00
Linda

Pam Lardear's Kate
 to the Bridge  Saturday, February 28, 2004

... Katie died this morning.

She was pretty good up until early this morning.  Her heart just could not pump.  She seized hard about 5am, and then developed a lot of trouble breathing.  We took her to the ER, but there was no signal telling the lower part of her heart to pump.  We tried oxygen and fluids to make her more comfortable, but she just struggled to breathe.  We let her go about 11am.  I am so lost.

She was so brave.  In the end it wasn’t diabetes or the kidney failure but her heart.

I am so grateful for your kindness and the kindness of many.
I feel like my world is empty.

Thank you again,

Pam and Katie the wonder dog, who now waits for us
<pam@runriver.net>

RB Monday, March 08, 2004

My beautiful almost 14 year old Maltese went to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon.  She has been diabetic and blind now for almost a year.She lost the battle this afternoon. ... We have a Vet that comes to the house and she was given a shot in her bed where she and I slept for 14 years.  It was so much easier than taking her to the vet as she became traumatized everytime she went into the office and I just couldn't do this to her.  Hopefully, she is with her Daddy (my husband) who passed 2 years ago.  He always called her
"his peewee".  I know she is in a better place but that doesn't fill the
emptiness I feel in my heart tonight.  She was her daddy's peewee and my darling.

Kiki's Mom and Mom to my darling, sighted, Cockapoo Chloee
M. Harper
<Mharper29@aol.com>

Arlene Daniels' Granddog Tyler (brother to Quincy)
to the Bridge March 11, 2004

Anne Dennett's Hodge (DC)
to the Bridge Friday, March 12, 2004

Just to let everyone know I lose my lovely Hodge yesterday afternoon.  His diabetes turned out to be a symptom of a tumour on the pituitary gland which made it send out an excess of growth hormone, one reason why the insulin never controlled his diabetes, at one time we were up to 28 units a day. Yesterday the tumour encroached on the optic nerve and the vet and I agreed it was time to let Hodge go. He went with dignity but I will miss him so much. He was always such a good and patient patient, putting up with needles, xrays and
visits to the vet with good grace and lots of purrs.  There will never be
another cat quite like Hodge.
Anne
 <anne@denn.karoo.co.uk>

JAGGER PORTER

Jagger (left) & her daughter Hershey

Denise Porter's Jagger, mother to Hershey,
to the Bridge suddenly on March 30, 2004

***
 I am writing to you with a very very sad heart right now.
My jagger girl is gone, she went to the bridge about 11:15 am today. ...
just one little bit of info, she wne tinto convulsations, something was
definately wrong, and she was having epileptic seizures. and well, she was in pain and I couldnt let her be like that anymore. I will tell u all more later. I was with jagger when doc sent her to the bridge. ...
denise and hershey and my angel jagger.

I just got back from the vet and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to put Lil Boy down ;(
Its funny..when I woke up today..I just knew it was time.
He had been peeing blood for the last few days..and just not himself..
His tooth was infected and he was just looking at me like he wanted me to help him go to the Bridge.
It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do..and my first time having to put down a pet. I wasnt sure if I wanted to be there when it happened but I know I would have never forgiven myself if I wasnt.
I am very glad I did stay. It was quick...frightening quick...painless for him ..
 I am heartbroken..and wandering around the house aimlessly...but have an odd sense of relief at the same time.
The other kitties know something is up..its funny how they know.
So I guess I just want to say thank you to everyone on the list who helped me during these past 4 years..(whether you knew it or not)
If it were not for this group..I may have had a panic attack on more than one occasion.. ( I especially loved the Xmas cards)
It was easy managing his diabetes once I had all the information.
I have a couple of heartfelt stories I feel like telling about him but I
just cant right now...it hurts too much.

And I am not sure if this is too soon or not but I will have to do it
eventually anyways..

Again..thank you everyone for your kindness and sharing all of your stories and knowledge..

Rest in peace Lil Boy.Lerosia & Kitty Family
Lil Boy (dc), Kashia, BooBoo, Monkey & Googie
 (\_/)
(=';'=)
(=';'=)
("')("')
=======================================
 <lerosia@telus.net>

RB Friday, May 14, 2004t>

I had to send Zorro to the Rainbow Bridge on Friday.  It was so peaceful for her, she just put her little head down and went to sleep.  I know I did the right thing but it still hurts so much.  I miss that fat little cat!

Goldie is doing better as he is eating more.  I am able to give him 2
injections now.

Joyce
Spay/Neuter, Adopt, Rescue, Don't Breed.
The animals don't need your excuses -- they need YOU
 <delsea@qwest.net>
=======================================

to Rainbow Bridge early June, 2004

our baby went to the bridge last week.  5 years dd and blind.
cancer of the stomach got him not the diabetics.
many thanks and this site was so helpful through those years.
bert dailey

<siwadee@texas.net>

JESSIE

RB Monday, June 14, 2004

With a very sad heart, I am asking to be unsuscribed. We are going to have
her put down, as soon as my husband gets home from work. She is 16 years 3 1/2
months. We may have kept her too long. She falls down all the time and is
very weak. She hasn't been able to see for a couple of years and bangs into
things. It's time. We were really lucky with her diabetes. She was easily
regulated and the most we ever had to do was get a bg every so often.

Anyway, I have appreciated having this group through the last 5 years.

Linda
<RINNINWIND@aol.com>

Rainbow Bridge Tuesday, June 14, 2004
My Max is gone.  ...  My heart
is breaking even more than I thought possible.
 

Nan, Max (dc dx 2/98 - angel 6/14/04) and Sheba
Cape Coral FL
www.FengShuiByNan.com
www.911FengShui.com
<NanCCFL@swfla.rr.com>

RB June 24, 2004

I am sad to report that I am sending Mandy to the bridge this afternoon. She took a turn for the worse last night.  They feel it has progressed into her nose and that she is suffering.  At the most she has a week or so left. I had to coax her to  eat treats today so that I could give her a shot this morning.  ...  Thanks you for all your support in the past few months.

Annemarie Roman

  TAPPY

Captain Infinity's "Tapioca Puddinghead"
<Infinity@world.std.com>

Born October 8, 1988
To Rainbow Bridge in July, 2004
 

I lost Tappy in July of 2004.  Complications relating to her ambulatory
system as well as incipient pneumonia forced me to make the hard
decision.  She was telling me it was her time and I had to listen to
her.  So I let her go.

Captain Infinity

RB July 16, 2004

On July 16, 2004 my diabetic Gordon Setter, Bailey, was put down. He could not stand, the vet said he probably had a tumor that was bleeding inside him and his liver and kidney values were way off and his blood sugar was up to 450. 

He was 12+ years old and lived with us for 10+ wonderful years. He became diabetic at the age of 9 yrs and stayed pretty much on an even keel fro most of that time until he went to the Bridge. I miss him terribly and am sorry I never really participated in the list discussions, just too many e-mails for me to keep up with. I wish you all peace and much luck and long lives for your diabetics furkids.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Girard
Founder, Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue
( In loving memory of my heart dog, Percy- May 16, 1998-July 10 2001)
 <esetter@nni.com>

TATTY

06-Feb-1986 to 19-Jul-2004

Dear friends,
I got home from work tonight to find that Tatty had gone. I'm completely shattered and completely disbelieving.  There was no clue at all that today was the final day. I'm so sad she went when I wasn't here, I'm sorry I can't say more at the moment.
I'm completely alone now. She died alone, my poor sweet incredible girl. I'm sorry.

"Deborah Hamilton"
<deborah.hamilton@hemscott.net>

* * *

Deborah,
Don't be sad for Tatty.  She is chasing birds and rolling in the grass
sunning herself.  She is playing with all our Bridge furbabies.  But she is with you, she will always be with you.  When my Smokee went to the Bridge last year, the humane society was selling wind chimes to raise money.  I bought one in his memory.  Every time that wind chime rings, I know he is with me.  I have several wind chimes on my patio & there are times that Smokee's wind chime is the only one that chimes.  They will always be in our hearts.
Joyce
Goldie-dc, Zorro-bridge 5/7, Stripe-ndc, Fluffy-ndc, Bianca-ndc, Spirit-ndd,
Bear-ndd

June 19, 1988--Aug 6, 2004
Beloved companion of  Adeline Cibik

Kacey developed  on set of doggie alzheimers, in the fall of 2003, He mostly forgot his potty training, he would get stuck in corners occassionally. Kacey knew us, would still greet us at the door,,had a good appetite, and loved to go on walks. We treated him with Anipryl and accupuncture. He went through about a month, of where he would not sleep during the night, he paced,and, he also paced his awake time, luckily, he slept a lot. One morning he woke up and did not eat breakfast, very unusual for Kacey, we immediately took him to the vet, while we were there talking to the vet, Kacey looked at me, and shudder went through his whole body, and he died,  he took that awful desicion out of our hands, it was the last ultimate gift of love to us. Kacey was 16 years and 1 month, 17 days

Adeline Cibik
<ekokz@sympatico.ca>

May 26, 1992 - October 09, 2004

My dear baby girl.  I will miss you till I'm with you.
Susan

RB Thursday, October 14, 2004

 I just wanted to let everyone know that we had to let Dexter go on Thursday. He had a malignant tumor that we had already had removed twice. It seems it's always the cancer that claims our babies in the end isn't it? I think putting him to sleep was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. That's why I waited until now to write, after having him around for 12 years it's hard find a new routine. I suppose it will get easier with time, but for right now it just hurts. Anyhow, I just thought I should let everyone know and to thank everyone for the incredible knowledge I've gained from this list. Without you guys I wouldn't have even had these last 4 years with him.

Lacey & Dexter (dd dx 6-00, Rainbow Bridge 10-14-04)
 <saddles@gwtc.net>

BUTCH MATTSEN

RB October 23, 2004

My buddy, pal, confidante, feline friend, companion, pillow partner
(and occasional PITA) for the past 19-1/2 years is gone now.

Chuck Mattsen (Mahnomen, MN)
<mattsen@arvig.net>

RB - Monday, November 08, 2004

 Former Muffin Mom Passed Away
November 17, 2004

Some of the long time members of the list may remember Debbie and her
diabetic cat, Dusty.   Debbie's daughter, Kim,  wanted me to let you know that Debbie passed away unexpectedly on November 17th.  Dusty had passed away several years ago.

You may remember her best by her email addy:  Lilpoody2@aol.com

Please remember both Debbie and Dusty in your prayers and keep Kim in your
thoughts.

Tibbie hugs & tears,

Dianne & Eubie (dd)
Roanoke, VA

RB November 22, 2004

Hello Fellow Muffinites:

I have put off writing this week -----I knew this day was coming I just
didn't know when.  Flip had a very good week a couple of weeks ago.   He has been having a good day and a bad day for so long... and he knew who I was so I told him I couldn't shorten  his days, he
would have to do something that let me know beyond a shadow of  doubt it was time for him to go.

I say this because in June of this year he went off the retaining wall into the lake and swam for 45 minits before we could arrange a rescue.  Both my husband and I tried to swim out to him and were unable to save him, I finally called a neighbor I had met the night before and had them come at 5:30am  to rescue him by boat.

Then a couple of weeks ago he went down the bank and into a weeded area in the water and fought through the weeds and swam out into the deep water.  I had a one man raft (for rescue purposes) that I ran and grabbed and ran through those snake laden weeds to hit the deep water and paddle out to save him. Just as I reached him he went under but I was able to pull him out and into the  boat.  A man fishing a bass tournament heard me and came in his boat and towed us back to shore.

I lifted Flip onto the retaining wall and he plunged back into the lake
before I could get out of the boat.  I grabbed him once more and this time  the man held him on the bank while I drug myself out of the boat and back on  land. This time I was fairly certain this was a suicide attempt on Flip's  part.

I then told him that I had spent the last 9 1/2 years of my life doing
anything and everything I could to buy him more time and suicide wasn't going to get it nor was I going to pull the plug on him.  He was going to have to do something else.

This is when he had the really good week compared to how things had been  for a long time.  In January, I didn't think he would see his birthday and  he made it more than 6 months past his birthday.  I have a very responsible  and trustworthy housekeeper/sitter and she loves the dogs almost as much as I  do.

We decided to go on to the dog show with plans to be home Sunday  nite.  As it turned out, we were late leaving the show site,  the weather was bad and we stopped half way home for the nite.  The  next morning after I got done walking all the dogs with us, I sat down for a cup  of coffee while waiting for my husband to get up so we could go home.  I  was thinking about my little guys at home and the phone rang.  It was the  sitter saying things were NOT good.

We got home as quickly as we could and Flip was disoriented and having trouble standing.  He had obviously had a stroke.  As soon as I took  him in my arms he settled down; I was in a rocking chair surrounded by his best  friends and brother, Pistol.  The other dogs knew what was happening and  they formed a circle around us and wouldn't leave our side.

At 11:45am with his best friends and family gathered around, my little man drew his last breath.  He went very peacefully just allowing me to hold him close and tell him how much he was loved and would he please tell Boogie how much we still loved him when he got to the Bridge and for them to play and be happy and painfree forever.  I felt his spirit leave and the pain and infirmities fall away.  He is now in a much better place.

I miss him terribly.  I keep reaching for his bowl and taking out two
syringes for shots and have to put his thyroid pills back in the bottle but I  know in my heart he is happy and free.

I haven't been able to write you guys.  I knew telling you he was  gone would be as hard as leaving him at the Vet school for cremation.

I plan to stay on the list. I still have my diabetic Pistol, he is 12 1/2
also, a full brother to Flip but he does so well with his diabetes.  He  never rebounds, you wouldn't know he is sick other than the shots twice a  day.

Flip would tell you all that he made it 9 1/2 years and the vet school only gave him 6 mos or so because he was so impossible to regulate.  He switched to his raw diet at about age 4 and was a modern medical miracle with being such a  brittle diabetic and living so long.  He had many, many  spells along the way when we thought time was running out but we could always do  something and find more time.  he just finally wore out.

His urn has a space on top for his picture and I will email that same
picture for our web page for you all to see.

Thank you for being my friends and source of support all these years.   Give your furkid a hug from me and know that there are two of the greatest meeter-greeters at the Bridge you would ever want to meet.  Names are  Boogie and Flip Simmons.

Take care------- Judy and what's left of the  crew.
<JRivrvue@aol.com>

RB - December, 2004

My Cheetah died just before Christmas.
 I miss him so BAD!
Roxanne
 <roxann@kvnet.org>

MOLLY

RB - Decembr 30, 2004

I let the list know that Molly gently passed over the bridge yesterday and I asked to be removed from the list.

She had almost 5 good years after her initial diagnosis, but the last few weeks had really taken it's toll.  She had totally lost her eyesight, lost 10 pounds, didn't want to eat, her back legs were shaky.. by yesterday she couldn't even keep water down and she let me know it was time.  So I held my baby's head in my lap and surrounded by people who loved her, she peacefully went to a place where she can see again, no more shots and is free.

I know I haven't posted much over the past few years... but I have read everything, cried with the sorrows and cheered with the victories.  Thanks to each and everyone of you for the support, knowledge and dedication.. without this group Molly would not have been with us as long as she was.
 

Denise and Molly (dx 4-23-2000.. crossed the bridge 12-30-2004)
Kodiak, AK
<denise@gci.net>

To Rainbow Bridge Friday, December 31, 2004

I had a note from Maureen McNamara a short while ago -
she also has left muffin as Boodles has left for "the Bridge".
another sudden loss and so sad.

Susan
<boodlesmom@aol.com>