Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - R.I.P. Macy- you will be missed

Well....it is with a broken heart that I let you know that Macy passed away this afternoon. There was an absess on her liver and many on her body. Her blood pressure became extremely low and she went into cardiac arrest from becoming septic. The vet said she went peacefully and for that I am grateful. I was able to say goodbye this morning before work and said goodbye again after she passed. I am also so grateful for all of you. Complete strangers that take the time out of your busy lives to help others. Kelly, willing to mail me her meds because she had extra. Laurie, emailing me a spreadsheet to use. Johnny, putting up candles for Kahlu, Coco, and Macy. Patrice with all her knoweledge. Bonnie with her well wishes, Samantha with her caring posts. Silka in the midst of his own sorrow still taking time to write to me. Brigette as well who wrote "the heart starts to heal" which has given me hope on one of the hardest days of my lives. I will most likely never meet any of you to say thank you in person but I want you to know that every single person who provided advice, provided support, or just shared their stories means something to me. Thank you all so much. As for Macy, I will likely post in a few days about all the things I loved about her and all the things I will miss. For now, just know in your heart that I love you, that you are the best dog ever, and that we will meet again. I will never, ever forget you. You will always hold a special place in my heart. You lived your 4 years to the fullest and taught me so much, the most of which is unconditional love. I will try my best to take care of your sister but she will miss you too. I am sorry you couldn't see Dean grow up. I wish you two could have grown up together but that wasn't in God's plan. I will tell him all about you when he gets old enough. I love you Macy, I always will..... Now go play with Coco, Riley, Azi, Kahlu and all the other special dogs who had extremely special owners. Pain free for eternity. -Darren

Darren Long Beach

Oh yeah, one more line I will quote from Brigitte because it so perfect: NO REGRETS :)

Darren Long Beach

Darren I am so very, very sorry for your loss. You did everything you could and it must of been time for Macy to join the other pups. She is pain free, happy and running wild. I know how you feel, I lost my pup in September. I'm thinking of you. Be strong and take care.

Mardi Northern Calif

Darren, I am heartbroken again to hear about Macy. Like I said in my e-mail the only thing that has brought me comfort is knowing that Cocos painful struggle is over and that she is running at peace with all her new friends at the rainbow bridge. While it is heartbreaking to lose a best friend just know that Macy is now also at peace and running free with all her new friends as well and will be waiting for you. My prayers for you and your family will be plentiful tonight, with the most important being that the time when you remember Macy with a tearless smile comes soon. Kelly

Kelly Redding

I almost forgot...I completely agree with Brigitte also.....NO REGRETS :)

Kelly Redding

Thank you Mardi for your support. You have meant a lot to me as well.

Darren Long Beach

Dear Darren, I am so very sorry to hear that Macy is now waiting by the Bridge. You did everything possible for her. Sending you peace, strength, and comforting memories of Macy. Sadly, Aden

Aden Jerusalem

Dear Darren, I am so sorry it did not turn out the way you and everybody on this forum, wanted it to turn out. It seems so unfair. We do all we can to save our furry friends lives, spend more money than most people think is reasonable and still, they are taken from us. There is no rhyme or reason. It was just not meant to be. 4 years is such a short time, but for Macy it was a good time. She had a short but great life. Your memories will make her live on. I know how painful it is, these first days after this big loss. It will get better every day. You did all you could and loved her so much, she knows that! Please go on Joanne's Meisha's Hope website, there is a grieving page: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/loss.htm I was thankful for that advice, every little bit helps and your heart too will heal. You will never forget Macy, but it will get less painful. Sending you a big Canadian bear hug, Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

R.I.P Macy may you rest in peace and play with all the other beautiful angels gone way too soon. Darren i'm very sorry for your loss. NO REGRETS, Will be thinking of you and your family. Effie.

Effie Melbourne Australia

Darren, I'm so sorry for your loss. Macy was a special girl with the biggest heart looking over her. You have my deepest sympathies and condolences. Run free beautiful Macy.

Johnny

Darren, I am so very saddened to hear the news of Macy's passing. Please know that you did everything you could for her because you did. When you feel up to it please visit the Loss & Grief page at the Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Web site: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/loss.htm This page was written with input from those who have lost their dogs to AIHA/IMHA and contains many resources that will be helpful to you during these most difficult days. Once agsin, please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss and be assured you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne MN

Dear Darren I am sobbing here for your loss of brave Macy, not what I wanted to be reading - unbelievably sad - I wish the news had been so different. Please accept my most sincerest condolences at this time - you too have been supportive of all our situations which speaks volumes about you as a person and a pet owner. Macy was lucky to have belonged to you. What a team - Macy, Coco, Azi, Kahlu and ((((Riley)))) Bless them all and those before them. Rest easy now Macy. Silka & Bonnie

Silka Melbourne Australia

Dear Darren and family, I too was heartbroken to read about the loss of your Macy, her fighting spirit touched all of us on this forum and we all grieve with you. I too agree that you should never have any regrets as you did everything possible for her, but as you said it was just not meant to be and remember God has a bigger plan for us and our pets and sometime we don't understand why things happen at the time and the reason will become clear later. Macy was truly a lucky dog to have such a wonderful family and I am sure you feel the same about your family being lucky to have be given the chance to love her back. Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you I loved you so.... 'twas heaven here with you --Isla Paschal Richardson R.I.P Macy, you have some wonderful dogs waiting to greet you at the bridge. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile pa

Darren, It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Macy. She is now at peace and running free. May your heart heal in time knowing that you did everything possible for her. How fortunate she was to have such a wonderful loving home and caregiver. Ron & Cooper

Ron Florida

Dear Darren, I am so sorry about your Macy passing......and what you all have been thru......it is heart-breaking....but she suffers no more and is free from this rotten disease....God Bless you, Tammy and Cody

Tammy/Cody N.J.

Darren, I am so sorry for your loss and so sorry that Macy was not able to beat this. You fought so hard for her and gave her every chance and it's just heartbreaking that she couldn't get well and stay with you longer - clearly, you are an amazing family. While there can never be enough time with these dogs we love so much, I hope you gain some comfort from knowing she had really good years with you and no one could have loved her more. Take good care, Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Darren, I am so sorry to hear that Macy did not beat AIHA. You and your family are in my prayers. Also I pray for a cure for AIHA.

Barb Ohio

Darren, I was so sorry to log on here this morning and see that Macy, too, had lost her fight. Like so many others here, you gave everything that you could and I have no doubt she knows that. I'm guessing Dean is your son. I have to tell you that really touched me; our own son was 4 when we lost Bronwyn. They were thick as thieves; my husband always said they were the classic "boy and his dog", and her death was really hard on him. Absolutely, tell him all about her when he's older. In the meantime, hang in there, know that you have a lot of support and understanding, and know that Macy is happy and healthy and free of pain, waiting at the bridge. Hugs. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Baltimore

Darren, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know you did everything humanly possible for Macy. God Bless, Karen

Karen NC

Darren - My heart hurts for you with the loss of Macy - I'm thinking of you and sending healing blessings your way. Macy is always with you -

Lisa TX

Darren, I am so incredibly sorry to hear that your Beloved Macy has gone to the Bridge. I did not realize that she was so young. This disease is bad enough when it strikes at any age but it just hurts that much more in such a young dog.....just unfair. Allow yourself to grieve. Take things one day at a time. And, always know your girl loved you and knew you did everything in your power to help her. God just needed her more. Teresa ***Rest in Peace Sweet Macy***

Teresa va

Darren, So sorry for your loss. This disease is horrible and such a roller coaster. I am happy that Macy is now pain free...but sorry for you having to miss her. Take care of yourself! Jaime

jaime parker

Darren, Please accept my deepest condolences for your great loss. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Darren... really sorry to hear this about Macy. God bless, Rest in Peace Macy Josh, Always Sway

Josh California

We lost our Emmy at age 4 yr 8 mo in 2003. We still think of her always and I still follow these pages and am always sad at the loss of another pal to this terrible disease. You did you best, and should always keep her memory in your heart.

Jack New Hampshire

Dear Darren, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Macy. She will now be running free at Rainbow Bridge. RIP Macy and ((Hugs)) to you Darren. Jess

Jess BC

Darren, I am so terribly saddened to read your post this morning. I agree we can't have any regrets for anything we do to save our poor dogs but I know that right now that does not lessen your pain. It may seem at first that you just don't know how to stop the pain that you are feeling but as time goes on you will be able to remember the better happy times with your Macy and it will help you heal. She will always be with you in your heart. Sharing in your saddness Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Dear Darren, I am so deeply sorry and in tears to read of your loss of dear Macy. You did everything possible to pull Macy through this, and that is truly inspirational to us all. I'm hope your little guy Dean grows up with his dad's compassion and love for dogs, I wish there was more people who cared as much for their pets as you did for Macy. It was clear that you would have done ANYTHING possible for Macy. I look forward to hearing about what you loved most about Macy when you are ready to post. May your happy memories comfort you and your family during this difficult time. Samantha.

Samantha Geelong Australia

Darren, so very sorry to read of the lost of Macy. May she rest in peace. You are truely an inspirational owner. May happy memories replaced the sadness you are feeling now. Julie.

Julie Australia

We pray for your comfort. Sue, Tim, & Ren

Susie Delaware

Darren, So terrible sorry to hear about the loss of Macey. Like everyone has said, this disease is just a monster! Everytime I hear of another loss, it just makes me so mad. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Darren So sorry about your loss. I just lost Buddy 3 weeks ago and I am still crying for my baby. I know how you feel Bud was only 7 and we did everything we could. We spent well over 14 thousand dollars on him and i still think what if? whatelse could i have done for him. I am so sorry for your Macy RIP. My prayers are with you. lucy

lucy ny

Darren So sad to read about your darling Macy...you were by her side all the way fighting with her and she will know that.May God comfort you at this challenging time and enable you to take pleasure from the lovely memories you have with your girl as soon as possible. Until you see each other again... Play well Macy... Kathleen and Nollaig

Kathleen North Ayrshire

Darren: We are so very sorry to hear the Macy has gone to the Bridge. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Dear Darren, I did not know that Macy had just gotten sick Jan. 1st, as I hadn't been reading everything on the web-site. You mentioned in your response to me/Cody that she only lasted 3 weeks on the meds....so I just read your comments on her to try to understand her story.......again......I'm so so sorry for what you've been thru in 1 month. Do you have any idea what you think may have triggered it in her? After living thru this with my Cody, and seeing what all the others dogs have gone thru, I'm determined to get some answers and help others....there has to be a reason/correlation, whether it's vaccine-triggered, or heart-gard, flea/tick treatments, etc....If no-one knows where this comes from, how can other dogs be protected in the future? You're in my prayers......Tammy

Tammy/Cody N.J.

Tammy, As you said, I only dealt with this for a month. Macy was diagnosed on December 29th. She passed away on Jan 26th. There are others who have a vast amount more knowledge and experience than me. I will tell you that I studied the disease vigorously and studied my own Macy because, as others have said, you will know your own best. Having said that, I have my own theory. I believe it was either Revolution or getting too many shots at once which triggered Macy's IMHA. I don't know for sure but I am hesitant to give my other dog Revolution or any shots going forward. It just seems like there are a lot of these cases and I don't know enough about the history of the disease but "survival of the fittest" would seem to have eliminated this from the gene pool. I mean, for all of us to have completely never have heard of this deadly disease and we are all obviously dog lovers, makes me very suspicious about all these so called "treatments" we are giving our dogs these days. This is just my theory though and you asked, so I shared. Thank you to all for all of your kind words. I plan on following up with more emails to let you know about the grieving process and my favorite things about Macy.

Darren Long Beach

Darren, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. You were a great dad and advocate for Macy, we're all on a crazy course when we have a furkid that's diagnosed, we do everything we can, and learn as fast as we can, and sometimes despite heroic efforts, it's too much for their sweet hearts and bodies. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my Stormie 8 years ago and I will always miss her. You did everything you could do to help her. We also lost our bunny last week...it is so hard to lose the ones you love so much. I too believe we will see them again. It's comforting to know they are well and whole once again. Take care. Mrs. Gates

Mrs. Gates

Darren, Thanx for your response in the midst of your grieving and heart-ache.....my sisters dog suddenly died after his vaccines at age 8, and was never sick prior to that....I definitely think certain dogs don't handle chemicals and foreign things in their bodies. We sometimes forget that even tough we've domesticated them, they are animals and their bodies aren't meant to "handle" all the toxins of this world....2 of my dogs had seizures from heart-gard. Well, we're all doing the best we can with the information we have at hand........God Bless you and your family...Tammy P.S. The top-notch Vet at our specialty hospital said Cody could never have another vaccine again, including Rabies, and NO GARLIC or ONION cause it triggers AIHA in some dogs..........

Tammy/Cody N.J.

This thread was discussed between 27/01/2010 and 29/01/2010

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