Fido's Farewell to a Rommate

Guest post by Tanner Boyko

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What's Wrong with Chiffon?

I found my roommate looking peaked this morning and summoned Mom to his tank. She gave me a sad look and explained that Chiffon appears to have gone to the great fish tank in the sky--the Rainbow Bridge, where pets are still lively, young and active. I'm sort of sad, having enjoyed his presence, even as I was always trying to join him for a swim.

Ever since I drank half his water (Isn't that what a bowl of water is for?) and splashed it around a bit, Mom has had Chiffon's tank on a higher counter where I could see, but not drink. Oliver probably thinks the little guy vanished, since from his lower vantage point, he can't see much of what goes on along our countertops. That's one reason I love being a Retriever; counter surfing is a great sport, even if it is only a spectator sport. I'm not allowed to steal food or fish. #doublesigh

We're not sure how long a typical Betta Fish generally lives. Our Chiffon was with us just shy of 2 years; seems like a short life to me. I asked Oliver what he thought about the situation, but he seems seriously confused. He's not as compelled to go swimming with Chiffon as I am. I've tried, believe me. The fish tank is just not large enough. What was Mom thinking?

Maybe that's the problem. I've tried to give Mom the look that says, "Can't we put Chiffon in my big water tank in the back yard? I promise to swim nicely with him. We can race and play fetch together." Well, I suppose his chances of winning at that game are not very high, but I'd be happy to give him a handicap for scoring purposes.

While he lived a short life, it was rich with interaction. Before Mom moved his tank to higher ground, I visited daily to sneak a drink,

Missing Our Rommate

dunk my nose, and yes, I even tried to swim. Several times. Again, I'm very confused about why Mom would have put such a small swimming spot inside our home. Okay, okay, so she told me it was a private swimming hole just for Chiffon. But really, you tell me; who wants to swim alone? A fella needs company when he wants to kick up his heels, er, fins.

Oliver and I want to thank Chiffon for his countless hours of entertainment. Despite how nutty it seemed, having a fish to watch turned out to be a terrific form of mental activity for both of us. We enjoyed trying to figure out what he was doing in there, tried to communicate (Clearly that didn't work) and even tried to join him. Well, I did, anyway. Oliver was sort of woosie on that idea; he's not a huge fan of swimming, although he's very good at it, even though he's not fast at all. No canine Olympic swimming medals for Oliver.

We hope Chiffon locates Xena at the Rainbow Bridge and the two of them will be able to swim together. Xena loves having someone in the pool with her. That's my wish for Chiffon. We'll miss you little buddy. Swim swiftly!

If you would like to include your lost pet in our Rainbow Bridge Memorial, we'd love to add him to our play group. Just send a photo and short sentiment along with his name and whatever information you'd like shared to AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. Place "Rainbow Bridge Memorial" in the Subject Line. I'll notify you when your best friend has joined the group.

Mutt Monday Remembers Our Pets

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Xena, Warrior-Princess

Pet people all know about the Rainbow Bridge. If you search the Internet you'll find dozens of images of this playground of pets that have passed to what we may call animal Heaven. I like to think that this is a place where our pets' needs are all met and they are once again young and healthy, able to be as active and energetic as they once were as pups or kittens.

In honor of our lost Xena, I began the Rainbow Bridge Memorial page here on All Things Dog Blog sometime ago. You can enjoy a video to soft music while you browse the pets and their stories. Some have verses or stories, others just dates. Each owner has chosen their own words to share, and some could not find their words. It's okay.

If you would like to memorialize your lost pet here, please send a clear photo along with any words or sentiments you'd like to include to AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. Place RAINBOW BRIDGE MEMORIAL in the subject line and I'll let you know when you pet can be viewed.

Today's post is an opportunity for other bloggers to join in with memories of their own pets or others they have written about. Rainbow Bridge episodes are welcome, as are eulogies or obituaries that share the love of an owner for a lost pet.

Grab your tissues before you read. These will be tears of joy; keep that in mind as you remember your own lost pets and their stories. And please click the Tweet below to bring others here to join us:

Kleenex Alert: @AllThingsDog is sharing #RainbowBridge stories on #MuttMonday Blog Hop: http://t.co/oUhDECm2ZF
— Carrie Boyko (@AllThingsDog) October 20, 2013

Next week's theme for Mutt Monday's posts will be something new and different again. I'm inviting bloggers to share a special feature of their own blogs. Share whatever single event or theme that your blog focuses on, educating our readers on your specialty. This is a great chance to 

Introduce yourself to my readers 

If you write in your pet's voice, feel free to introduce your pet for him or her. Take it!

First Alert Xena Retires after Nearly 14 Years of Loyal Canine Service

by Carrie Boyko, C.E.B.

(c) Carrie Boyko

Xena's Last Photo

After many a long day of writing, with Xena at my feet, she and I would sometimes take time for a cat nap. Patches often joined us, just as we used to do when I had a migraine headache. As I dozed in and out, I would be vaguely aware of Xena's soothing snoring--a cute, soft sound that I have always found endearing.


The time for Xena to rest eternally came yesterday. There will be no more snoring, no more sock frolics, no more happy Xena greetings at the door. She is now resting peacefully, and I am glad of that only because the pain had begun for her. This is the one thing I could not bear for her to experience; I always promised her that I would not let her suffer. 


With Xena gone I will cry, mourn, remember and sob enough for 10 dogs, I am sure.  But afterwards two things came to me in another snuggle, this time with Tanner and Oliver joining me. 


Just recently when my father passed away, he did it exactly the same way as Xena. We went to sleep side by side--I in the fold out bed at hospice--while he snored like a chain saw in need of a good oiling. That oiling had been the best bath he had received in his two weeks of care at the hospital. His gruff, dominant nurse that I immediately took offense to, had encouraged me out of the room, assuring me that I would find him sleeping peacefully after her skillful and soothing bath.


Was she ever right! I returned to find my father swaddled like an infant, a sight that sent a shudder down my spine and at the same time made me feel warm and secure, just as he apparently did. When he awoke for pain medicine, it was the last time I was able to speak with him. He gave me a loving kiss, even as his lips did not quite pucker the way they used to. Then he slipped once again into a slumber that will last for an eternity.


Xena has now joined him in that place where all beloved family members go. It gives me a small amount of peace to think of them together, Dad rubbing her belly and head, while she wags her tail appreciatively. They will have each other to keep company with, even if only a fantasy of mine. I guess this is my way of dealing with a painful situation. Losing two treasured family members in a few short months is more than anyone should have to bear. But both went peacefully to sleep, ceasing their signature snoring to signal their permanent retirement.


I will miss you my sweet, loyal Xena. Thank you for giving me nearly 14 years of service as a weather alert dog. And thank you for keeping an eye on Dad. You two will make a good team.


Our whole family will always remember the day she came to live with us as if it were yesterday. The recollections of trips to the park, walks through the neighborhood, squirrel chases and tag games will never go away. These and many more will be the memories that will keep her alive in our hearts.


As Xena slipped into her permanent slumber I whispered to my sweet puppy, "Dad is a Packers fan; be sure to wear your green and yellow bandanna when you see him at the Rainbow Bridge." I must have imagined it, but I could swear I saw a slight nod of her head.

(c) Carrie Boyko

Xena at Age 2

ASK THE VET: Dr. Pat Counsels a Dog Owner About Loss

by Pat Bradley, DVM

(c)  C.M., reader copyright on file

Early Grayce Young

Hello Dr. Pat:

My 16 yr old chihuahua was fine--just a few bouts of coughing and once in a while vomiting his dog treat over the past few months.  His appetite and poop has been normal.  hen yesterday he was panting when it wasn't that hot. I rubbed some water on his head and body and took her to a drafty window.

The next morning he fell over and some blood tinged saliva came out of his mouth. A few minutes later I fed him a piece of cheese and he ate it. He then looked up at the couch, so I put him on it. He arched his back (head up) and then down and out came bloody foam from his nose and mouth and he was gone. 

Please help me to understand what happened? Last visit to the vet about a year ago, he was ok. 

Thank you so much, 

Carmela

-------------------------------------------------

Dear Carmela,

How shocking to watch your beloved pet die in front of your very eyes, especially when you weren't expecting it. I know you're grieving for your friend and of course you're seeking to understand what happened. Have you been together for 16 years?

A "few bouts of coughing and vomiting treats once in a while" doesn't sound like anything to be alarmed about for any dog.

 This lack of symptoms and sudden death you described sounds like a blood clot in the lungs, or "pulmonary embolus". It's possible that a vet might have found something to treat if you had taken him in, but just as likely not. Blood clots aren't usually detected on a normal exam.

Mealtime at my house,  like for most couples, is a time when my husband and I catch one another up with the interesting parts of our workday. He is a paramedic and I'm a vet, so suffice it to say we talk about things most people don't want to hear about while they're eating.

Often I'll hear stories about people who die this suddenly, after they "just had their yearly check-up last week".  Family members are naturally, shocked, guilt-ridden and like you, seeking answers. Most often, these people have died from a blood clot in the lungs, and no one saw it coming.

When our loved ones die after long, lingering illnesses, we have time to "get used to the idea", and although we are extremely sad when they die, we're not as shocked. But sudden deaths can leave us feeling blindsided and lost. Consider planning a memorial service to honor his life. And remember to consult a grief counselor if you are having a hard time recovering.  It helps to have someone to talk to.    

I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Carmela.


Best, Pat

(c) photo courtesy of P.Bradley

Write to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com with your question for Dr. Pat. 

For a personal consultation about your pet's needs, visit Holistic Veterinary Services.

Dr. Pat's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian

------------------------------------------------------------

Announcing All Things Dog Blog's 

Rainbow Bridge Memorial

To our readers: Carmela's loss has inspired us to establish a "Rainbow Bridge Memorial Page" here at All Things Dog Blog. This is a page where you can submit a photo of your own fallen angel. We will include his name, a quote about him, his philosophy or your sentiments, along with his picture.


On this page, you will also find the Rainbow Bridge story, set to beautiful music. You will be able to visit your lost companion as often as you like, and enjoy soothing music while you look at your friend, and all of his playmates at the Rainbow Bridge. We invite you to submit your photos of lost pups to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com with the requested information.


To assist us in staying organized, be sure to place a notation in the subject line about Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for your participation. We look forward to sharing your fallen angels.

Check out Dr. Pat's book
on End of Life Decisions
for our dog...

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© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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All Things Dog Blog Introduces Our Rainbow Bridge Memorial

by Carrie Boyko

(C.M) reader copyright on file

Inspired by Early Grayce Young

After a particularly sad day, Dr. Pat and I had a pow wow. We lost our first patient...well, sort of. When a reader loses a dog, we feel the pain, as well. What could we do to help our readers, who have lost a beloved companion, move toward peace again?

A memorial is our solution. This page, linked in the sidebar by Early Grayce's photo, will take you to our version of the Rainbow Bridge. You'll find a video with the story, set to beautiful, soothing music. At the end, an inspiring image embodies the idea of the Rainbow Bridge.

Here you will find the photos of All Things Dog Blog's readers' dog photos--the lost ones that they miss, loved and would like to remember always. This is the place where they can count on always visiting their loved one.

Knowing that many of us like to offer an inspirational gift to a friend, when their pet passes on, I have included a link to Dr. Pat's book, More Than a Pet, offering help for future preparations, along with All Thing Dog Blog's Rainbow Bridge Resource Roundup, which is a collection of books for folks of all ages. From workbooks for children to  poems and stories for adults who have lost their companion, to novels about wonderful best friends, you'll find a wide variety of books to choose from. I invite you to visit our Rainbow Bridge Resource Roundup for yourself, or for a friend or loved one in need of inspiration.

Instructions for submitting your own fallen angels can be found in the sidebar of this page, or on the Rainbow Bridge Memorial page, as well as at the bottom of this post. You will be able to visit your best friend as often as you like.

© reader copyright on file

Dedicated to Early Grayce

Dedicated to Early Grayce Young, our first fallen pup, you'll find the photo just above this line in both the sidebar and on the memorial page. Another pup shares the dedication of the page; Allie Woo Woo is the first dog to be shared on our RESCUING ROVER column that has left her owner. She and Early share top honors on the memorial page, for helping Dr. Pat and I plan and execute this way to share your joyous moments with the rest of us.

© A.N.M. reader copyright on file

Dedicated to Allie Woo Woo

We look forward to receiving your pup's photo. You may send it to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com, with a note in the subject line: Rainbow Bridge. Include your best friend's name, and his age or years on this Earth. If you like, feel free to include an additional sentiment of your own, a quote or saying, your dog's philosophy for living, or perhaps a short poem or verse. We'll do our best to include your brief addition to your pet's memorial on the Rainbow Bridge Memorial at All Things Dog Blog. The page has only just begun to populate. Visit often if you wish to see others' lost pets. I like to think of them playing in the warm sunshine, just as the story explains. Happy tails to all our readers, and thank you for continuing to inspire us to add more to All Things Dog Blog. Happy tails!

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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