World Pet Memorial Day 2014

What Mica Meant to Our Family

By Dr. Ron Biese 

 

     Mica was our first “born”.  She was a female Golden Retriever that we purchased from a breeder.  The stud dog, her father, was a patient of mine and I knew him well.  He was a beautiful and sweet dog.  Mica was just shy of 50 pounds as an adult which was perfect for us.  We had plenty of time to train her as a puppy, because we didn’t have children yet.   She was an awesome dog!  I know that most owners feel that way about their own dog.  However, she was the most obedient dog I have ever seen.  I could put her in a sit or lay stay and she would not move until I released her.  Our family often joked that she would probably die in that position if I never released her.  One day I was giving her a bath in the basement and I had forgotten a towel to dry her with.  After I was done bathing her, I discovered the error of my ways.  I told her to stay in the tub and I ran upstairs to the second floor and came all the way back down, and she was still in the tub and had not moved.  She would often come to work with me and I would tell her to lie under my desk.  She would stay there all day until I was done.  She would get a little antsy at 5:00.  We were convinced she could tell time.  

Mica was very close to our children as they grew up.  It was so special to see how gentle she was with them as they were toddlers, but as they grew older, she would rough house with them all the time.  We never worried about her getting aggressive with our children or with anyone for that matter.  

                                                

She was quite healthy her entire life, but when she was nearly 14 years old she became very ill with a bleeding mass in her chest.  We made the horrible decision to euthanize her.  That was a very difficult day for us and our children.  

That evening we sat around telling funny stories of her.  We laughed and cried for hours.  This helped us get through this difficult time.  We know how tough it is to lose a pet, but pet lovers would chose no other way. 

 

Gus

By Dr. Kurt Rossebo

June is the month of World Pet Memorial Day.  It is a strange but interesting fact that almost every one of us can recall all our pets, even from our early childhood.  Dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, birds, even fish and turtles.  We often have many photos of us and our pets, which only serves to revive many memories and strengthen the bond we already have with our lost companions.

The reason for this is simple: unconditional love. We only get this from our pets, especially dogs and cats that often seek our love as well.  Unconditional love is also the reason that losing a pet can be so difficult for many.  So, World Pet Memorial Day is truly every day.  We miss them always, and even though memories may bring a tear to your eye, they most certainly will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

                                                                                Our Weimaraner Gus was
                                                                                a big goofy dog and we miss him!

 

                                                                                                                   

Rex

By Lisa Lambie, Veterinary Assistant

There are many reasons I miss my dog Rex.  But I suppose mostly I miss the many ways that he made me laugh.  He was such a goofy dog.  I got Rex when he was 7 months old and my son Ross was 9 months old and he was so good with him.  They grew up together and were best buddies.  Ross could do anything to Rex and he just took it, hair pulling and all!  At the vet clinic he got a crazy nickname and was lovingly known as Rexy Boy Boy.  Cancer took him way to soon at the age of 8.  He is missed everyday.  Sometimes I think I hear and see him yet.  I know that is not possible, but I like it.

Rex

Fat Boy

By Gail Adams, Receptionist

I got Fat Boy in July of 2000.  He was the last kitten in a litter at a local farm.  I should have taken that as a sign as he was trouble from the start.  He would hide under the stairs and attack our ankles as if he was taking down a Gazelle.  We DID NOT get along for the first few months.  Thanksgiving of that same year I became ill with pneumonia and he would lay on me and never left my side which changed my feelings completely for him.

He was very welcoming to every cat I brought home from that point on.  He even "nursed" a 5 week old kitten until his nipples were raw just to make her feel secure.  I realize a male cat doesn't produce milk, but the kitten didn't care.

I have a hundred funny stories I could tell you over his 14 years, but the funniest thing was when he felt I had made him wait too long for breakfast.  While I was sleeping, he chewed my bangs OFF.  I had to come to work looking like a 2 year old that had cut her own hair.

January 8, 2014, he left us.  I will never have a cat that will bring me as much joy and wonderful memories as he did.  I miss him so much.

Niketa

By Tricia, CVT

Our family has had many wonderful pets over the years so it's hard to pick just one to remember on this day! The last dog we had to say goodbye to was Niketa. He was very affectionate and our most laid back Siberian Husky.  He was very well mannered and nice and quiet unless we got him excited enough to give us a big ole Husky howl.  Everyone thought he was a great dog and was always asking if they could take him home with them.  He was very gentle with my daughters who grew up with him and each new cat & dog we brought into the house.  Well, OK, maybe he had fun chasing our cats when he was a young pup, but he never harmed them.

I have had to make the incredibly hard decision to send previous pets to the Rainbow Bridge, but making the decision for Niketa was the most difficult of all of them. We do have many funny memories of him though!

        

                              

Hannah

By Laurie, Kennel Staff

Our Family was truly blessed to have Hannah in our lives for 14 1/2 yrs. She was an inspiration and has taught us so much. Hannah was a cancer survivor, losing her snout at age 10 and then living 4 1/2 years longer. It was not cancer that took her from us.  She had amazing perseverance, bravery and strength. She endured through every difficult obstacle that life dealt her with dignity and grace.  How many can say they had a dog missing a nose and 2 toes, she was unique, a one of a kind.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her and shed a tear, but now those tears bring a smile. A piece of my heart has left with her.  RIP our Sunshine Hannah

      

                               

Remembering Shellane’s Autumn Krystal today

By Diane, LVT

Krysta was the first Doberman Pinscher we had and she was the best dog anyone could ask for. She was a very gentle (somewhat shy!) soul who loved everyone she met, knew when to show her protective side, and was a great friend to my young nieces and nephews. We were so very blessed to have her for just over 13 years (despite several serious health scares) and we were devastated when we had to make the decision to put her down. There are very few days that go by that I don’t think of her and I still miss her so much, even nine years later. We have heard that every family seems to get that one perfect dog and for this family, Krysta was that dog.

                                       Krysta - November 13, 1991 – February 10, 2005

 Always in our hearts….

Remembering My Pets Growing Up

By Dr. Gagnon

My only pets growing up were dogs, and I was lucky enough to have seen them live to ripe old ages of 16 and 14.  As they aged, it became apparent that they were slowing down, they couldn’t “hold it” as long as they used to, and they became gray in the face.  Does having an old dog make it easier or harder to say goodbye when the time comes? I don’t know.  In a way, you can see it coming and you have time to prepare yourself.  On the other hand, you’ve developed such a long-lasting and meaningful relationship that being without them is painful to even think about.

My first dog was Holly, named because she became part of the family on Christmas when I was little.  She was the kind of Labrador everyone wishes they had: kind and gentle, with lots of personality.  One of our favorite things was seeing her hop anytime we pulled out a bag of popcorn.  She loved it!  I was in high school when my family made the decision to say goodbye because of arthritis and kidney problems.  We buried her in our backyard, and planted a holly bush over her.

A few years prior to Holly’s passing, we picked up another Labrador Ella, named after the jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald.  Ella and Holly had become great friends over the years, so Ella was noticeably sad when Holly was gone.  Ella was a spunky little thing with lots of energy and determination, but never a mean bone in her body.  I was in veterinary school when it was Ella’s time to go, so I had a more watchful eye when problems arose during her old age.  It was hard to see her decline, but it helped in knowing when the time was right to put her down.  She’s buried right next to Holly.

I’ve never forgotten the good days, and the memory of their passing is something that always sticks with me.  That said, many of us feel an emptiness that can only be filled with another loving pet.  There’s no replacement for those we’ve lost, but there is certainly room for more pets to enjoy.