Hildy,
Our sweet, sweet girl...oh, how I miss you so much. I only found out at 4AM this morning that you didn't make it and I am in terrible pain. We tried everything we could to save you and bring you home again and I am feeling such horrible guilt for letting you die in the oxygen cage without me there to hold you. But the vets thought you might survive and we wanted to give you that chance. What a horrible and fast way that you left us. On Saturday I awoke to find you unable to move and got you emergency help immediately. You were diagnosed with AutoImmune Hemalytic Anemia (AIHA) wherein your immune system was attacking your red blood cells. It is a terrible disorder that comes with no warning. They treated you with heavy doses of prednisone and Imuran. Your blood count went up slightly for a few hours then things took a downturn.
The vet said we need to do a blood transfusion which was a risk, but it was the only chance to save your life. We agreed and were thrilled when your blood count went up from 11 to 27 and remained there overnight. But by Monday morning you had developed a blood clot in your lung and they needed to put you in an oxygen cage to breathe. It nearly killed me to see you this way and the pain was excruciating.
We went home at 6PM on Monday from visiting you and when I received the call this morning that you had died, I thought I was going to die too.
I've loved you for the nearly 14 years we've been together. You've been my faithful companion and friend. You were absolutely the sweetest dog I've ever met and you were always such a joy to come home to....you'd howl your voice of excitement until I came in the house to pet you and give you and your sisters Amber and Tawny your dog cookies. You worked with me all day in my office by keeping me company at my feet and would always warn me if someone was at the door with your 'ferocious' bark, the only time you ever barked...you were such a little protector. You loved to run around in the backyard especially on a sunny day and you were always so full of life and happiness.
My heart is breaking and I can only find solace now by knowing that you are free of pain and having a great time at Rainbow Bridge. Look for me when I come because I can not wait to hold you again, have you lick my face, get to pet your super-soft fur and see your beautiful eyes. We will rejoice!
We love you so entirely much,
Mama and Papa
P.S. Tawny and Amber are having a hard time too and are sniffing all over the place for you...if you can, send them a lick on the face and let them know you're O.K.