Heaven got alot noiser and chaotic last night

Sunday and Monday my crazy wild child dog, Deuce, just wasn't himself.  He was yelling at me; not chewing on Raven's head; not running laps around his pen while waited for his dinner; just not his usual exuberant self.  I couldn't get him into our usual vet, but was able to get him into the clinic we used to go to all the time, where he received kind, compassionate and competent care. 

 

Monday night Deuce was diagnosed with pancreatitis, serious, but manageable.  He did not respond to supportive treatment overnight.  His vet saw some concerning things on his abdominal x-rays. She did an ultrasound yesterday morning that only increased her concerns. Late yesterday afternoon we gave her permission to do an exploratory surgery.

 

There was a mass behind his liver, cellular changes in the structure of his liver; his pancreas was necrotic and a section of his intestine so hardened and inflammed that nothing could have passed through it. We did not let him wake up again.

We brought him here in May 2005. He'd been a stray for years in a nearby community. No one claimed him and eventually he started getting in trouble while searching for food.   A young man tied Deuce and two other dogs up in his yard to save them until the shelter had room.

Deuce lost his mind in the shelter. From free roam of the Yukon wilderness, to a chain, to a tiny kennel! He hated the confinement and he was horribly bored. The shelter staff thought he was a aggressive and wanted him put down. Stuart brought him home instead. They always shared a special bond; Deuce knew who saved him. I am grateful Stuart made it home in time to say goodbye.

Deuce was not aggressive ever; he was just extraordinarily active, happy and exuberant! He didn't always know how to ask nicely for the attention he so desperately wanted so he'd just knock you over to get it! He was my wild child and I will miss his nutty self!

 

His penmate, Raven, is lost without him. They've been best friends since the day he arrived.

He didn't always get everything he should have here. He was a difficult dog at times; a special needs boy! But he was safe, warm, fed and deeply loved. I hope that was enough.

 

 Godspeed, my wild child. Don't cause too much chaos at the Bridge!

Farewell, King Muskwa

 He was the first Siberian Husky I ever met; the dog who changed my life. Not only was he a package deal with the man who became my husband, but everything I know about stubborn, digging, howling, escaping, challenging, frustrating,  funny, too-smart-for-their-good, dogs, I first learned from Muskwa. 

=No dog ever had a better life.  He spent his entire life with Stuart, best friends from the moment they met, when Muskwa was just days old.  He saw parts of the Yukon few humans ever get to enjoy.  He was a born alpha dog, a true leader who never resorted to aggresssion to prove his point.  He simply was the King and he expected that everyone, regardless of species, would recognize that! 



It was a life full of adventure and misadventure!  He had a taste for porcupines that never went away.  A dozen encounters never taught him that those things hurt.  Even smart dogs can't know everything!

 

Four days after his 15th birthday, four months after he was diagnosed with liver failure, Muskwa was released from a body that could no longer support his big spirit.  He has rejoined his pups, Earle and Hoodoo, along with so many members of the pack he started and always ruled.

Godspeed, old friend.  We will miss you!

Muskwa

King of Dogs

October 20, 1997 - October 24, 2012

Good-bye, Glacier

 He was my very first cat, my first pet in my adult life.  14 years ago,  I pulled him out from under a deck in Calgary, an adorable six week old kitten.

He saw some dramatic changes in his life; from just the two of us in a condo in the big city to living with this zoo.  He accepted every change, every newcomer with grace, ease and without ever peeing on my stuff!

He was not the brightest cat I've ever met; he could get lost in the living room!  But he was among the sweetest cats I've ever known, full of drooly purrs, head bonks, and love.

 

Until five days ago, he'd never been sick a moment in his life, never been to the vet for anything beyond routine care.  Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he became increasingly lethargic, just not his usual mewing purring self. 

 

He has spent the last three days at the vet clinic where a large tumour was found on his pancreas, his kidneys were failing and his blood sugar was dangerously low.  Despite the best efforts of his vet, he did not respond to treatment; he was miserable and we were out of options.

He was released from his failing body tonight, the last and only thing I could do for him.  He leaves behind fourteen years of memories, a huge hole in my heart and a very lost best friend.  Pete will mourn the loss of his lifelong friend as deeply as I will. 

Glacier

July 21, 1998 - October 11, 2012

 

From begining to end, he was a good cat!