This wasn't the post that I had wanted to do for a long, long time, but time has come for us to have had to put our beloved Pippen down. For those of you who don't know Pippen, she is a three year old Sheltie. We've had her since she was three months old, along with her sister, Merry (who is a Shitz Tus). They are our first babies. They have grown up together from puppies, and have been the best of friends to both FireHoth and I. We found out in the early part of fall of last year, that Pippen started having seizers of epic proportions. We took her to the vet and they put her on low dosage anti-depression pills. That seemed to work for a while, but as of late, she started having her seizers on a daily basis. More trips to the vet, more blood work, and high dosage of pills. In the last three days she had at least five seizers that made her hurt herself badly by her convulsions, and her temperament has changed from the sweet somewhat neurotic puppy to a completely different dog.
Her last one was around 1:00PM Sunday afternoon, and FireHoth took her to the emergency room. They informed him that they had to put her on an IV and keep her for several days. They also informed him that her condition wasn't going to get any better, but worse. So instead of having her suffer and have a low quality of life as she has had, the decision was to make the suffering stop.
Below are the best pictures of her and her with her sister Merry, and some with her brother, "Little Man". Little Man was just getting into the habit of feeding them in the evening, almost on his own, and picking up their dishes when finished. He would even kennel them up at night when it was time for everyone to go to bed. I just hope and pray that he will remember her as he gets older. This is the best way that I can keep her spirit alive and always remember her with the numerous amounts of pictures we have of her. These are the best. Please click on the pictures to see them better and please read the poem at the end.
A Dogs Wish
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Don't break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music. As you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footsteps fall upon my waiting ears.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well. To romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, my friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing, and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see to it that my life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.
~~ Author Unknown
