I know I haven’t posted much on here. Everything was pretty much status quo from the time we got back from vacation. Everyone was adjusting to Chief (our new puppy) I probably forgot to post that I don’t remember. Stupid Covid was still wrecking havoc with the world. We were doing great here. A few bumps in the road you know puppy swallowing a kids toy having to go to ER vet but minor thing. Just made to throw up and on our way we went. That is until Christmas time…..
Who knew that 2 weeks before Christmas Snickers would healthy and happy and playing. A week before she wasn’t feeling very well so took her to the vet. We ran blood tests etc. Found out that her platelet counts were a little low on a Monday.. We retested Wednesday before Christmas they were lower and she was put on Prednisone. I was told to watch her for lethargy, pale gums etc.. Christmas Eve day I get up and get ready to work (changed jobs so I am working from home at least until April I am hoping it can be forever again). Snickers just didn’t seem right so I checked her gums. They were pale. I called our vets they said take her to the ER clinic if she needed a transfusion they couldn’t do it at our clinic. So I told my boss it was an emergency and needed to leave. ( I had only been there 3 weeks).
Snickers was admitted and tests were run. She missed Christmas at home but I made sure to go see her. She wouldn’t eat for them so I took chicken and some turkey and went over to see her. They found a small mass on her spleen but had her stabilized so I got to bring her home the day after Christmas.
The Dr. told me to call my vet and get the splenectomy done as soon as I could. So Monday I called. They fit her in and Monday night she came home. She was doing well. I called 48 hours later and gave the update she was doing great. The receptionist called back and said Dr. T wanted to check her blood counts on Saturday. So we took her in. Platelet counts rebounded and were doing great although now red cell count had gone down some. He wasn’t too concerned. I voiced my concern that it looked like she might have a little fluid on her abdomen. He said he felt around and she seemed to be ok. We went home.
Sunday she slept a lot. I just figured recovery from surgery /pain meds it didn’t hurt. Monday she wouldn’t hardly move and she looked bloated up. I called. They got us in after I got off work. She had a hard time getting into the car and she never had that issue before. And she was really lethargic. They took her in on a gurney. She had a liter plus of fluid on her. They only took the liter off and gave us another med because her red cell counts dropped a little again. They were thinking possible Autoimmune disease. We went home and tried to get her to eat no she wouldn’t eat anything. We went to bed. Around 1:30 am Jazz woke me up not feeling well ( I am not sure if she knew or not). I ended up rushing Snickers back to the ER vet. I was in tears. I just wanted them to save my girl. They ran more tests still no answers. By 9:45 am the new Dr. that came on had evaluated Snickers she is the one who found the mass called me and said Snickers was still no better and her blood pressure was dropping. I once again left work this time to let my girl go.
This is so hard. I wasn’t expecting this. I know the grief journey well as I lost Bosch in March 2019, Simba in Feb 2020 and now on Jan 5, 2021 I lost Snickers. My girl who helped me heal my heart after losing Sassy. I am crying as I write this and I know this is long but I have to do this to help myself.
I do highly recommend our pet insurance healthy paws. They do a direct pay to the clinics without them I probably would have had to make the decision on Christmas Eve. They paid the 90% that I am paying premiums for directly to the ER clinic and I just paid 10%. They paid pretty much all of her surgery and again for her admittance the last time.
The place I had Snickers cremated at was called Paws to Angels. They do home hospice, home euthanasia, pre planning grief counseling type and private Cremations. We had a viewing of her and they gave me a heart 1/2 of it was mine and it said “My” and Snickers part said “Angel” it stayed with her during her whole journey. I got her 1/2 back after her cremation which it went through with her. I miss my girl.
Poems that I got from Paws to Angels
Fur clipping poem. I read this and cried as I was looking at the clippings of each spot.
Who knew at 7 years and 4 months I would be making her memorial video and saying good bye. Sassy was 7 years and 1 month. They both have met now and I hope love each other because they both have a big piece of my heart.
Beautiful tribute and photos!
We’ve fixed the commenting issue you reported. 🙂
Thank you for fixing it. Thank you for the beautiful comment
Beautiful post Michelle…my heart breaks that you’ve suffered so much loss in such a short amount of time. It doesn’t matter if they’re with us 7 years, or 17 years – it’s not nearly long enough. I know it isn’t much consolation, but maybe Snickers was needed up in Heaven more than she was needed here – maybe she was needed to help guide and comfort Baby Simba. It sucks that you have so many unanswered questions…but know this: you were the best mom a dog could ever hope for. You did whatever was necessary, and you did the hardest thing we, as pet parents, ever have to do…you released her when you wanted nothing more than to have her stay. I’ve always said what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger….it won’t be easy, but you will get through this. When the time is right for YOU. Take care of yourself, let Chief and Jazz give you comfort, and love. And all your Tripawd Family is here for you too. Love you, friend!
Paula and Warrior Angels Nitro and Kodi
Thank you so much Paula.
I was on the phone when I read your comment. I appreciate you so much. You are such a great friend and thank you for everything you did for me during this time. You are such a great support even when you were dealing with your own grief.
Thank you again Paula.
Paula,
My heart goes out to you too, I’m so sorry that you lost your darling Kodi! I can well imagine that you are still missing him more than words can say, but like I told Michelle, our Spirit Babies are Always with us and love us like never before!
Nitro is going to show Kodi all the fun stuff around the 🌈 bridge… keep an eye out for Spikey, he Ruvs Pups!
Hugs to you and Spirit kisses to True Warriors, Kodi & Nitro
Love from Petra, Super Stu & his pawsome kitties
💫💚💚💚✨
Petra,
I passed on that you made a comment to Paula on here. I am going to send you an email with her blog and post it here too http://nitro.tripawds.com
For right now I can only say “ditto” to Paula. She said everything so well. The thougt that Simba needed Snickers was such a sweet sentiment.
I k ow it was so hard to write this. And it made us all cry (again) as we read how things unfolded.
The pictures are a good reminder of how wonderful Snicker’s life with uou was. It was fun and soooo full of love and happiness. Every dog should be so lucky to have such a fulfilling life. Without question, she had a mission…..lots of missions. Touching lives as a Therapy Dog AND Goodwill Ambassador for Rotties, being a ,playmate for Jazz, being a student of Bosch’s on how to be a really good dog. being a pal to your nephew and neice, being a role model for Simba and Chief. AND, most important mission…..loving you and being loved by you❤
You gave Snickers the best earth life possible, and the most beautiful send off. Every detail was so beautifully thought out and done with so much love. The “heart” necklace, the exquisite urn, the poems that speak to each of us. Snicker’s is so pleased😊
I smiled and smiled and smiled at the video of Anickers and Jazz playing g and Bosch claiming his spot on the famous “Rottie Slide”, barking out to the girls!
Seeing she and Jazz as puppies cute beyond words!!!
The pictures of you and Snickers together snuggling are just precious. It love the one where you are squishing up your face because she must be kissing (or slobbering) on you. She certainly loved snuggles! ANY picture of you with Snickers where the two of you are smiling so happily….I love those!!!
Michelle, every word you have written, every picuture, every poem, everything you ever did for Snickers in this tribute, is the exclamation point on a life so well lived and so well loved.
Now she and Simba are p,saying up and the Bridge. Bosch and Sassy are sharing their rightful place on the Bridge Slide as they “sing their song” ❤
We all love you💖
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
Thanks Sally. She was loved a lot. I am trying to be strong but my heart just hurts so much. Every time I have to leave and come home it just reminds me she isn’t here. So much emptiness even though Chief and Jazz are here. Not sure if that makes sense or not. Thank you love you too
Oh, Michelle,
We are so sorry our hearts break for you. Entirely too much loss for any human! I can not even begin to imagine. Again i say too many beautiful souls have been called home! Beautiful tribute! The pictures show the love and the bond you shared! The necklace says it all!!
I agree with Paula that what doesn’t kill you makes us stronger HOWEVER, it can feel like it will kill us! It’s not fair nor easy. I step in front of the other ok! I wish i had words, but we know words can’t make this part any more comfortable. Just know we are thinking of you and sending our love and prayers for the days ahead.
I don’t have time to watch the video right now, but i will come back & do so.
Our heartfelt condolences!
Much love and big hugs!
Holly, Mark, Purrkins & Saxton
🫂💝💝💝
XOXO
Thank you so much Holly. Sending hugs and prayers for Purrkins as well.
Michelle,
I had to come back because I just couldn’t post last night. I have read your posts and saw you glow with pride at the work you and Snickers did together. She truly was a beautiful soul. I am so very sorry that she got called to be with her brothers and sister. I cannot say it any better than Paula did. There must have been a reason. It just sucks that we are left down here to wonder why and it makes the closure even harder.
You have been through the most horrible of losses in such a short period of time. I wish there were something I could do to ease the pain. I don’t know if you will get it, but I am sending you a huge hug. You know.. the kind that takes your breath away.
Just like the rest of your Tripawd family, I am here if you ever need anything.
Your tribute was absolutely beautiful. I am so glad that you had people there to honor Snickers the way she deserved to be honored.
You have my deepest condolences.
Jackie and Huckleberry 💖💖💖
Thank you Jackie. I loved her so much. She helped heal my heart when I lost Sassy now she is gone too.
Hi Michelle
Super Stu and I just want to give you a massive hug and tell you bow sorry we are to hear that you lost yet another fur baby and all too soon! I feel very deeply for you!
Having lost our dear old Spikey in November and sooooo many of our Tripawds family since then, I know that heaven is blessed with some incredible Souls and they are surrounding us in their love!
I know it hurts deeply lovey, but Snickers is an incredible place, a place that allows her to be with you ALWAYS!!
Much love to you Michelle and very special Spirit kisses to Snickers and Sassy!
💫💚💚💚✨
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.