Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - My Sunny is gone

This afternoon I had to let my beautiful boy go to the Rainbow Bridge to be with Clifford and Barkley and all the others. It was the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. Thank you all for the support and information over the past two months as we have tried to win this battle. I wish you all luck in this war. A Tribute To My Sunny Oh how I will miss the simple pleasures of my dog. There will be……. No more happy, happy greetings when I come home from work No more high flying Frisbee leaps (He loved that Frisbee!). No more walks to the mailbox with him leading me. No more spinning when I bring out his food dish. No more early morning going out to pee pee. No more new tricks (He even learned a new one this summer while he was ill). No more chasing lizards. No more hide and seek. No more pulling a toy out of his toy box in hopes of some fun. No more notes from neighbors on my front door (He was a barker in his earlier years). No more tug of war. No more silky soft fur to pet. No more adoring eyes looking up at me. On the bright side there will be…….. No more pills. No more carafate slurry. (He really hated that one). No more dreaded trips to the vet. No more needles. No more bandages where the IV’s were. They just wouldn’t heal. No more endless thirst. No more three minute long pees. No more panting. No more sleepless nights. No more hurting. Just the memories. Oh how I will miss my Sunny One. He was my “Pooch the Good Puppy”. My heart is broken.

Leslie Oceanside

Leslie, Barkley said "Hi" to Sunny and offered to share his favorite green ball. Thanks for the poem. We can all so much relate. It reminded me of the words to a song I used to love. "The river is wide I cannot get o'er Neither do I Have wings to fly Give me a boat That can carry two And both shall row My friend and I." It is my hope that Sunny and Barkley have now safely reached the other peaceful shore. Cheryl (and always Barkley)

Cheryl Medford

Leslie, I am so sorry you have lost your dear boy. We all know our beloved pets will not always be with us but to lose them to this awful disease brings an added sorrow. Sunny knows how hard you tried to save him and will be there at the bridge, healthy once more, waiting and playing until you can hold him in your arms once more. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Leslie, hugs and prayers to comfort the pain as you find peace in the knowledge of the infinite love between you and Sunny. You can rest knowing you both did your best and now Brandy is welcoming another friend home to wait for us, as they all rejoice in their freedom from earthly pain. God Bless sharon and angel Brandy

sharon pa

Leslie, Of course you did the right thing for Sunny.....how brave of you to do what is best for him even though you knew you were going to be in the worst pain yourself. I hope I can know when to "draw the line" as they say, and not have my Mackey Boy suffer just because I'm not ready to say good -bye yet. Know that we are all wrapping our arms around you in a group hug, hoping that soon you can remember Sunny's wonderful life, not just his death. Jane

Jane MN

Leslie, I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. I understand how the decision you made would be one of the hardest you had ever faced. What a beautiful tribute you have written to Sunny and what a testament to how much he was loved. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

I am so devastated tonight to read the news of the loss of both Barkley and Sunny. It's just almost too much to bear. I am so sorry Cheryl, and Leslie. It's unbearable to think they both left us in the last 48 hours since I checked the forum. What can any of us say, except to acknowledge the the amazing love and heroic fight that you gave for your furkids. Tonight, we will be sure to light some candles for our beloved friends and keep you in our thoughts. Much love and sympathy for Cheryl and Leslie, and I hope that Sunny and Barkley are having the most pain free, joyous times of their lives now. melissa and tiggs

melissa

Dear Leslie -- I was so sorry to hear that Sunny lost his fight against IMHA. My husband and I lost our dear beagle, Wiley, to IMHA in May 2005, so we know how you must be feeling right now. Please take comfort knowing that you did all that you could do to help Sunny fight IMHA. It also will be comforting to know that his last moments were still filled with your love. You are right -- the decision to let them go is the hardest we have made in our lives, but it is an act of love to do what is best for them. Your poem was so touching, because it summed up why the grief is so hard. Our lives are turned upside down when we lose a dog to this quick-strike disease. All of our old routines with our dear dogs are ended, and it is so hard to adjust. I still find it hard to come home and know that my dear Wiley will not be here and that we will not do all of the things we used to do. There was such love with her always, and it is clear that it was the same with you and Sunny. Please take care and let us know how you are doing. I found this forum after my dear Wiley's death, and it remains a place of comfort, because everyone here understands.

Brenda VA

Leslie, I'm so sorry to hear about Sunny. Everyone on this forum knows how hard to tried to give Sunny every chance to make it. I hope your pain will be diminished through knowing that we share your sorrow over your loss.

Paul CO

Leslie, I'm very sorry to hear about Sunny. I also lost my Miniature Schnauzer, Gus, to this disease on July 9, 2007. I understand the grief you must be feeling. Again, I'm so very sorry. You and Sunny will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sue

Sue PA

It has been five years since Emmy was lost but I still check this site daily. I always hope that no one will have lost a friend that day. Some days I am happy that things are going good. Unfortunately the last couple of days have shown that this terrible didease has taken more of our friends. I am very sorry for all of your losses and hope that time will give you nothing but the good memories. Jack Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Jack New Hampshire

Leslie, I am so sorry to hear about Sunny. Your love for him is so clear through your messages, everything you did to help him try to beat this, and your lovely poem. I hope all the loving memories you have will bring you comfort in the weeks ahead. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Leslie, I am so sorry about Sunny. Your "simple pleasures" is a lovely tribute to him and what the two of you shared. I'm sure you did your very best for him. My heartfelt prayers are with you.

Karen NC

Leslie, I'm so sorry about your loss of Sunny. You can know in your heart that you did the very best for him, and know that he knows it as well. May you take comfort in all the kind and understanding people on this board who feel your pain as we are all fighting this disease now, or have in the past. Kim and Spencer

Kim Ny

Let me express my sorrow at the passing of your Sunny and to all those other that have also had a loved one die after battling this horrific disease. To all those that are still fighting hang in there. There is not a time when I do not regret all the money I poured into my baby Drago and would do it again in a second. She let me know when it was time to let go. Drago has been gone since 11/7/07 and there is not a day that goes by that I dont miss her. I have rescued an abused pit bull that was starved and beaten. Her name is Tofka and is now about 1 yr. old. Even though she is a sweet girl with not a mean bone in her body it is not the same.

Sue K PA

Leslie and Family I am so very sorry for your loss of your Sunny. Feel comfort in that you did everything you could for him and sometimes things are just out of our control no matter what we do and how hard we try. I am sure Sunny will be greeted with wagging tails by Brandy, Clifford, Barkley and all the others before him when he gets to the rainbow bridge. Your tribute to Sunny was was very moving and I am sure he felt so very loved by you and your family. My heart aches for you and your family. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Dear Leslie, I am so sorry that Sunny had to leave you for Rainbow Bridge. I do know that there were lots of friends waiting to greet him including my dear Lady. Some time ago I found this poem and added it to the In Honor of page along with several pictures of our dear lost ones. It was a comfort to me and I hope that it is for you also. Peace, Dolores IN MEMORY OF OUR FUR-KIDS THAT ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.....WAITING AT RAINBOW BRIDGE "I'M STILL HERE" Friend, please don't mourn for me I'm still here, though you don't see I'm right by your side each night and day and within your heart I long to stay. My body is gone but I'm always near. I'm everything you feel, see or hear. My spirit is free, but I'll never depart as long as you keep me alive in your heart. I'll never wander out of your sight- I'm the brightest star on a summer night. I'll never be beyond your reach- I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around and the pure white snow that blankets the ground. I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond, The clear cool water in a quiet pond. I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring, The first warm raindrop that April will bring. I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine, and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine. When you start thinking there's no one to love you, You can talk to me through the Lord above you. I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees, and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze. I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep. I'm the smile you see on a baby's face. Just look for me , friend, I'm everyplace! Author Unknown

dolores deekuj@yahoo.com

leslie... no, another one, oh no...i wasnt here yesterday and now i get on here to see that both sunny and barkley have passed. :( i hope you are doing as good as can be expected, my thoughts are with you.

josh california

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Leslie, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tricia x ^j^

Tricia UK

I wasn't here yesterday, sorry. I am so, so, very sorry to hear of Sunny's passing over. Know she is free of pain. Thinking of you :)

Courtney SLO

Thank you for all of your comments. It sure is quiet at my house today. I moved my two youngest kids to college last week and now Sunny is gone. It's quite the empty nest.

Leslie Oceanside

Leslie, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Sunny will never forget all the love you gave him and how hard you tried to help him, nor will you ever forget all the wonderful times you spent with Sunny. Please hold on to the good times with him. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Leslie, your tribute to Sunny has me in tears. I'm so, so sorry that he didn't make it. But you're right, where he is now there is no more hurting, and he knows you did everything you could for him. Be at peace, Sunny. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Baltimore

Leslie et al, Just checking in to see how all of you with recent (and not quite as recent) losses are doing? Cheryl (and always Barkley)

Cheryl Medford

Leslie, I was sorry to hear about Sunny. My heart breaks for you going through this myself. I lost my girl Cali 10 weeks ago. It has been hard, but this weekend my husband & I adopted a beautiful Catahoula puppy we named Laci. She was going to be euthenized if someone didn't act soon. I just couldn't let another animal die when I could help. I did all I could for Cali as I'm sure you did for Sunny. He is in good company. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Dee

Dee Wi

Thank you for all of your kind thoughts and prayers. It's been one week now since I lost my boy. I guess I'm doing better. At least I am not crying constantly. I miss my dog so much. It is lonely without him. It was the longest weekend in history. One of my three kids is having a very difficult time accepting this loss. When she left for college, Sunny was doing pretty well. Please pray for her. Leslie

Leslie Oceanside

Leslie, I am glad to see you are still here with us. Some days reading the saga here bring me tears of joy and others the anguished tears I share with those of us whose best friends have gone to the Rainbow Bridge. But either way, I find myself drawn here by the love and comfort we give and get. I am ever so grateful to everyone. I hope you will continue here as well and find comfort, peace and yes, eventually release from the searing pain. There are good days and bad even after the initial terrible weeks, but as time goes by, there are more happy memories. prayers and comfort to you and your Family as you remember Sunny and the love you all shared. sharon

sharon pa

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Words seem inadequate at times like this. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Kim CT

I'm so sorry that this disease has taken your Sunny. Prayers being said for you and your family. May smiles one day replace the tears that remembering brings. Sunny surely knows how much you love him.

Ronda So Cal

This thread was discussed between 27/08/2008 and 04/09/2008

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