RE: [pyrnet] Another one over the Rainbow Bridge

My deepest sympathies are with you and your family at this tremendously emotional and challenging time. Unfortunately, so many of us in this group know of your pain all too well. By now, Eliza has crossed the bridge and will be waiting for you in the sunshine, tail wagging, with a big, beautiful Pyr smile, and lots of warm hugs. You will, Pam, be reunited with your faithful and loyal companion again.

Pam, I have been in your shoes in more ways than one. My Alaskan Malamute, Raisa, had what is now described as a "death crash" in August of 2005. To make a very long and extremely painful story short, my vet saved her life and she was diagnosed with Atypical Addison's and treatment began within a few hours. Raisa has Atypical Addison's, and after 4 months of regulating her medicine, she is once again a healthy, 6 year old Alaskan Malamute. The amazing part of this story, is the day my husband and I came home from work last August, we opened our front door, and nobody came to greet us; it was perfectly silent in our house and our hearts sank. We found Czar, our faithful and loyal Great Pyrenees, by Raisa's side; he would not leave her. His face was panicked and frightened. I do not know at what point during the day Raisa crashed and went into failure and shock, but he would not leave her. Czar was trying to help her by staying next to her until we arrived home to help. He stayed home while we rushed her to our vet, not knowing what was wrong with her, or if we would even make it to the vet in time to save her life. When we arrived back home that night without her, as she was hospitalized for (4) days, Czar went and tried to crawl behind our toilet in the basement bathroom; he would not look at me, he would not eat, he was so terribly upset. When Raisa finally came home 4 days later, weak, exhausted and heavily medicated on prednisone, Czar's face lit up. His girl was finally home where he could care and watch over her during her recovery.

Czar's behavior shows the true beauty, protectiveness, and loyalty of the Pyr. He loves his sister Raisa, and was desperate to help her and so distraught with her absence.

I am so terribly sorry for Eliza. Tears run down my face as I write this; knowing all too well what you have faced. My heart goes out to you in more ways than I can express in writing.

May this Easter weekend bring some peace to your heart, your mind and your soul.

Beth and Czar (Pyr) and Raisa (Alaskan Malamute)

To day I have some sad news to share. This morning I had to have Eliza put to sleep. She had just celebrated her 9th birthday and didn't appear to be feeling well. I took her to the vet yesterday morning because she was not eating and appeared to be bloated. She walked in to the vet's office, but by the time the xrays were over she could barely walk. The vet referred me to a diagnostic clinic across town where Eliza had all sorts of tests run and spent the night. It appeared, among other things, that she had Addison's disease type symptoms and her liver was shutting down. Everything happened so quickly, I couldn't believe it. I went this morning knowing that I was going to say goodbye.

She was alert and knew I was there. I held her and talked to her as she took her last breaths. She is at peace now and I, of course, am left with the pain. I know I did the right thing by sending her over the Rainbow Bridge. She can join all the other dogs sent with love before her.

Good-bye, dear Eliza. You always were such a good girl!

Pam