Loss of my dog

[rpcrowe]

We are devastated at the loss of our beloved Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog) - Serena. She began a series of seizures that the vet could not control with medications. She was our wonderful friend and the guardian of our property. We will miss her greatly! I have a hard time looking at her picture without tearing up...



We realized that we have a wonderful piece of property that we should share with a large dog in need of a loving home. Tomorrow we are traveling to meet Abbie.



Abbie is a senior German Shepherd + Labrador Retriever mix who is being fostered by the Frosted Faces Foundation, who provided the picture. The description of her personality meshes with our needs for a dog who will get along with our smaller dogs.

Our decision to adopt a senior dog is based on two factors: First - my wife and I are seniors ourselves and Second - senior dogs have a hard time finding homes. We want to provide a loving home for this ten year old dog for whatever time she has left.

[Round Tuit]

Sorry for your loss Richard. I hope that Abbie will bring you as much joy as Serena did.

[Rita]

So sorry to hear this Richard. It is always so hard to lose a pet and Serena looked like a good one.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Richard, I'm so sorry to read this about Serena. She seemed like the ideal dog for your situation.

I hope Abbie keeps the coyotes at bay for you too.

[escape]

So sorry to hear about your loss. I always enjoyed seeing her photos and reading the stories you posted about her. You are fortunate to have found a new companion.

[pschlute]

Oh Richard, I am in tears reading your post and writing this response.

She was not only a beautiful dog but a true guardian of you and your household.

This has a special resonance for me right now as our middle dog Ripley was diagnosed with epilepsy in August. Initially the medication (Levetiracetam) cut the seizures down but recently he is having more, and the most recent was quite violent. The vets have changed him onto phenobarbital a week ago and we are praying for him to do well on it.

I send my condolences and love to you.

[flashback]

Sorry to hear. People often think in terms of pet but the reality is she was a family member. The loss is no less painful that a sibling, friend, parent or child. They are family and I am sorry for your loss

[rpcrowe]

Oh Richard, I am in tears reading your post and writing this response.

She was not only a beautiful dog but a true guardian of you and your household.

This has a special resonance for me right now as our middle dog Ripley was diagnosed with epilepsy in August. Initially the medication (Levetiracetam) cut the seizures down but recently he is having more, and the most recent was quite violent. The vets have changed him onto phenobarbital a week ago and we are praying for him to do well on it.

I send my condolences and love to you.

I had a Terrier who was on phenobarbital for years and never had another seizure,

[rpcrowe]

The family that was fostering Abbie decided not to give her up and to adopt her themselves. As with all rescue groups, a foster family always has first choice in adopting a dog.

We adopted Rainey:





Rainey is a nine-year old German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian in the U.K.) mix. I suspect that she might have a bit of Rottweiler in her. Not that is matters but, as a point of curiosity, I am having a DNA test done for Rainey.

She has had a hard life and is still pretty skinny. We are feeding her extra food to bulk her up and she devours it readily. Although she is not as photogenic as Serena was, she is very gentle towards our small dogs yet seems quite protective. At 80 or so pounds (about 36 kilos) she is certainly a dog that would make an intruder think twice about coming into my yard or property.

She is loving towards us and always seems to be laying on the floor or a dog bed close to us. It makes me feel good to give a home to a dog that might have a hard time being adopted.

The rescue organization we have been working with is great. They specialize in older and special needs dogs and offer vet care for the dogs adopted from them.

[The amateur]

Richard I remembered you when I read this article !
Cheers !

[pschlute]

Rainey looks like she has a lot of love to give.

[Lovelabradors]

Wow, Richard so sorry to read this. She was such a young pup, I can't believe the loss you must feel.

I am sorry for you and your family.

Sharon