Saturday, December 08, 2007


Diamondhead Apricot Mousse

We lost our eldest baby on Thursday night. She had been with us for 14 years, almost 15. She was bred to be a show dog and after several wins in the ring, she told us she didn’t like it. So her career ended in the show and she became our pampered princess.

We called her our million dollar dog because she had been plagued with so many health issues through her life. Eye surgeries for entropian, back surgeries (she was paralyzed twice), eye laser surgeries, glaucoma, severe allergies, eye removals and several bouts with cancer. She overcame every one of these adversities and came back stronger every time. She was deaf because of the many ear infections common with Shar Pei’s. Many Veterinarians’ said she would have been put down by any other pet owner long ago. One Vet said he wished many parents took as good of care with their children.

It still doesn’t make it any easier or stop our doubts that we did not give her enough and make her life spectacular enough.

The trip to Canada was very hard on her. I was worried she was not going to make it. How do you cross the border and land with a dead child in the truck? But she made it and flourished up here. The allergies that ravaged her in Las Vegas went away. She loved to wander around her yard and smell the forest. The cooler climate brought her to life.

A tumor was discovered in her abdomen several weeks ago. A very, large tumor. After removal, the Vet said it was 8 inches in diameter. We had a biopsy done prior to surgery deciding if it was cancer, we would let her go and not put her through anymore trauma. The results came back that it was not cancer! But it needed to be removed or she would die a horribly painful death. Even considering her age, the lab report said the prognosis was good to very good for her survival and recovery.

We had to give her just one more chance.

We had seen her come back from much worse.

She came through the surgery but once in recovery her poor old heart just gave out on her. They resuscitated her 3 times before she just would not come back.

So it is with much pain and sorrow I post these final pictures of our baby when she was a pup. (And so were we) Notice the shirt Diane is wearing.

Cheers Moussie!






4 comments:

West End Bob said...

Oh, it is so sad to lose a child.

We lost two babies within a month of each other right after we moved to Florida.

It does sound like you both gave her lots of love and care, so you should think those thoughts and not the sad ones.

Cheers to Moussie from our "Four Legged Child" . . . .

Gaby said...

Your post made me so sad.. I am so sorry for your loss.
You did give it all you could, and she got to be part of this new beginning when you moved to Canada.
You should always remember the good times and how happy she made you...because ultimately our happiness is theirs, and I'm sure that what she would have wanted, for her memory to make you happy.

Canada Calling said...

Thanks WEB and Gabby for the kind words and thoughts. It means so much.

Anonymous said...

Oh, dear, I'm so sorry to hear that. Perhaps our kitty Clara will be on the lookout for her! Clara spent her last 8+ years with one of those canine kritters as her best friend so if Moussie will permit...

Take care!