I N . M E M O R Y : SCOOBE

In February 2006 James woke me up and said something was wrong with Scoobe and to turn on the light. I got up and turned on the light and saw Scoobe on his side with is eyes open, kicking his legs, and having trouble breathing. At first we thought maybe he was just having a doggy mare but we shook him to try to get him awake and his condition didn't change.
I called the vet (it was about midnight or so) and explained what was going on. He told us he was probably having a seizure and it would stop in a few minutes. Well it did thank goodness. He told us not to worry about it unless it started to happen more frequently. Well a few days later he had another one. We called Corey and took him in.
Corey checked him over and said he couldn't really find anything that would be causing the seizures. He said with his age it might be a brain tumor. He said we could get a cat scan if we wanted to find out. We said no because we wouldn't do surgery or chemo anyway. Corey said we would just see if he had anymore before we decided to put him on medication.
Scoobe did well for the next few months until August. The he had one on August 31, September 5th and 6th. So we called Corey again and started Phenobarbital 16.2 mg 1 pill a day. That seemed to work for few weeks then in October he had 3 seizures. Corey upped his meds to twice a day. But then he still have 4 seizures in November. We told Corey we just didn't think the meds were working and didn't want to keep upping them all the time. So he put him on Potassium Bromide 500mg 1 pill twice a day on November 16. He seemed to do ok on this the first few days but then he started being sick all the time. We tried to give him the medicine then give him food. But right after he would just go throw up. He seemed to just get weaker and weaker.
On November 27 my mom called and said Scoobe had thrown up at her house right before James came and got him. I called James to see how he was and he said he was outside. A little bit later James called me back and said Scoobe had fallen on his side and acted as if he just couldn't get up and he was taking him to the vet. I knew this was probably it and told James not to call me back at work since it was about 4 and I still had an hour to go.
A little while later Jo came to my desk and said that I needed to go be with James. Of course I started crying and Jo and Bev said they would finish things up for me. I called my mom and told her and then called my sister. My sister had me stop and pick her up on the way. When we got to the vet my mom was already there. We went in and said our goodbyes and then James went and got Corey.
A few minutes later it was over. We went home and put all of Scoobe's stuff up. I took off the next day. I really didn't think I would be so upset. At least he is at peace.
And if dogs do go to Heaven then he is up there with my dad having a good time.

~ ~ ~

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.
Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent.
His eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass,
his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

~ ~ ~

Dogs Don't Have Souls, Do They?

I remember bringing you home.
You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur.
You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping.
Once in awhile, you'd let out a little yelp just to let me know that this was your territory.
Making a mess of the house and chewing on everything in sight became a passion, and when I scolded you, you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes, as if to say, "I'm sorry, but I'll do it again as soon as you're not watching."
As you got older, you protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who walked by.
When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging, just to say, "Welcome home. I missed you."
You never had a bad day and I could always count on you to be there for me.
When I sat down to read the paper and watch TV, you would hop on my lap, looking for attention.
You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.
As you got older, you moved around more slowly.
Then, one day, old age finally took its toll and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs anymore.
I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again.
You just looked up at me as if to say that you were old and tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me for one favor.
With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet.
One last time you were lying next to me. For some strange reason, you were able to stand up in the animal hospital; perhaps it was your sense of pride.
As the vet led you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say,
"Thank you for taking care of me."
I thought, "No.... thank you for taking care of me."