|
|
BORN 05.01.99 - ENTERED RESCUE 02.22.06 - WENT TO THE BRIDGE 05.29.07
February 2006 we took in Jade, from southern IL. When we first posted her on petfinder
we were deluged with applications on her, none of them seemed to quite match up
for my expectations for her and we held of, I'm glad we did as it soon became apparent
she had some health issues going on. Once we managed to get her previous vets records,
it was obvious this poor girl had had a lifetime of discomfort. She had some undefined
allergies that symptoms were regularly treated with prednisone, and several surgeries
on her ears. She had lived in the garage of her owners home prior to coming to us
as they 'just couldn't cope with her incontinence anymore'. In fact we found Jades
only problems with incontinence were on a couple of occasions when her allergies
had flared up very badly and had inflamed her urinary tract. Once with us she tested
positive for hypothyroidism and started on meds for that. We went thro last summer
dealing with allergy flare-ups, experimenting with different foods to find what
suited her best, it became obvious very quickly she had major allergy to beef and
corn. chicken was soon added , as were other foodstuffs. We had allergy testing
done and found out some environmental allergens as well. And Jade became a Permanent
foster dog under our care. In November Jade had a major allergic reaction and had
an emergency consult at the University veterinary hospital in Ames. We were devastated
to learn on top of her other health issues she was in chronic kidney failure, with
some of the levels on her bloodpanel so skewy she was given an extremely guarded
prognosis. It seems all the health issues were related together. And her immune
system was malfunctioning, working in overdrive in some areas, and not doing enough
in others. For most of this year Jade has been on a homecooked diet, and the improvement
in her ears , feet and coat were amazing. Her energy level increased, and I was
hopeful we could keep her stable for a long time. It was a worrying journey for
me, making sure everything was 'just so' getting the balance right, for it seemed
that what might be beneficial and supportive for the kidneys, contained known allergens
for her, or were not good for her thyroid, or vice versa, so we were on a fine balancing
act - but she was oh so worth it. Sadly a couple of weeks ago she got into food
that contained chicken, - got only a mouthful - but it was enough to have a major
allergy flare up. After a couple of days she seemed to bounce back from it, but
last Wednesday stopped eating and obviously felt ill, we went to the vet where her
bloodwork came back with horrendous numbers, and she was put on fluids for 24 hours.
Thursday afternoon her levels were still critical and she was in poor spirits, and
I drove over thinking this was probably the end of our journey together, of course
when I got there she bounced around with joy and I was told she had eaten a whole
can of food as tho she was starving, and hadn't vomited. she obviously wanted to
go home, so home we came, loaded up with anti-nausea meds etc. Over the weekend,
I watched and saw a steady improvement in appetite, energy and spirits. We went
on visits to petco and petsmart, on walks and car rides, each time accompanied by
her best buddy Alvin, and she was eating well. My spirit soared . However Monday
morning (Memorial day) was a different matter, she had vomited overnight several
times and was obviously feeling very down. she stayed on the couch most of the morning.
Alvin alternated between playing the fool in front of her in an effort to get her
attention and cheer her up, and lying quietly by her side. I called our vet and
she said to bring her over and we would put hr on fluids again. Just before we left
Tilly came over to jade who was still lying on the couch, and gently rested her
head on her back and wagged her tail, then gave her a kiss on her face before skipping
of back to her 'activities' , I found this action both touchingly sweet, and quite
chilling, Tilly enjoys the company of other dogs and loves Jade, the pair often
sat or lay side by side either on the couch indoors or on the mat out in the sunshine,
but she is not given to displays of affection such as this, and looking back I feel
she knew it was time to say a final goodbye to her dear friend. Jade spent 36 hours
on fluids, and this time sadly did not bounce back, despite not having eaten for
nearly 48 hours and having anti-nausea meds she started vomiting. Alvin and I drove
over to the vets on Tuesday (29th May) evening after the clinic had closed and altho
absolutely overjoyed to see us, it was obvious the illness was taking her from us.
we went outside where she was excited to see the van and wanted to get in it. Jade
loved going for car rides so much so Dana (our dear vet) and I decided it would
be the appropriate place for her . At 7.15pm Tuesday evening, Jade, Alvin, Dana
and I sat in the van , Jade in my arms, Alvin sitting solemnly at the side of her,
and my dear sweet girl passed quietly away, taking part of my heart with her. Anyone
that knows me has probably been subjected to my never ending waxing lyrical about
the joys of Jade, she was as close to perfection as they come (apart from her health
of course). She rates up there with my dear sweet Hamish, which is quite some accolade.
She - like Hamish - had a rock solid stable temperament, a winning personality,
showed huge dignity throughout all her sufferings, never complaining, and was just
drop-dead gorgeous in looks. She was my doggy tester as she was hugely reliable
in the face of any temperament of dog. She picked Alvin up when he was down and
mourning over the loss of his good buddy Jackson when he died of lymphoma last year,
and Jade and Alvin became inseparable, he accompanied Jade on her everso many vets
visits for 'moral support', and they shared fun visits to stores and enjoyable walks
also . She was kind and gentle to the older frailer dogs, but had a goofy sense
of fun with the more robust ones, if she was a human she would have most likely
been voted 'most popular girl in the school' - all the other dogs loved her, and
she had her fair share of human fans as well. Labs like Jade and Hamish are 'the
quintessential lab' the reason the breed is as hugely popular as it is. I would
defy anyone to live with a dog with the personality and temperament of one of these
two and not become overwhelmingly addicted to the breed. Jade and I developed a
strong bond - all our dogs are special but some are definite 'soul mates.' and Jade
was certainly that. I adored her with all my heart, and the heartbreak is intense,
but, if i was not suffering this huge feeling of loss now, it would mean that i
hadn't experienced the pure love and joy of the last 15 months of her presence,
and i am grateful for that time with her. Rest in Peace dear Jade . ~~Don't cry
because I've left (for in truth only my body has gone) instead rejoice because I
was here.~~ ***
Our thanks to Miller Veterinary Service, Atkinson, IL for the loving
care they gave Jade on her oh so many visits.
Also big thanks to the care given
by Iowa State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ames, IA
|