Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Still missing Otto

Well I am still crying to this date over my precious Otto. It has only been a week, but it seems like years. He was such a fun loving dog and I know he is in heaven playing with his friends. The hurt just gets stonger every day. I thought that time would help ease the pain. I have decided to get a puppy and have something else to focus on. I hope this isn't the wrong decision. I would appreciate anyones suggestion about this decision. A new puppy could never replace my Otto, he was taken from me to soon.

Terri science_sjhs@yahoo.com

I can feel your pain. I puppy will give you something to hug. I went thru the same thing when I lost my 1st dog and got Drago. Eventually the love will come, because now just at the thought of losing her makes me cry. We are fighting this battle with all the resources I can find. That is why I would like to know what made Sway turn around so quickly. Drago is at a 27 and falling, and I am afraid she is losing the battle.

Sue K York

Terri, I lost my dog Georgie in July to AIHI. By early August we had taken in a rescue dog. This wasn't enough. We then bought a Lhasa Apso pedigree at the end of August. They love each other, the Lhasa has helped improve the rescue dog's confidence and they drive me nuts (in a good way). Nothing will come close to replacing Georgie but Jess and Sox are good medicine. They have each other, I have two beautiful pets and things are improving each day. Do what you feel is right, only you know and if it feels right then it is. Good luck Steph

Steph Wales

My mum lost her dog in July, he was 14. Her pain is as intense at times as it was when Scoobs died. The slightest things will set her off as she misses him so much. You will know in your heart what is the right thing to do and when the time is right to have a new dog. You have to take each day as it comes. A new puppy will never take Otto's place, but will bring back some of your routine. They will have different personalities to Otto and their own quirky ways. It is furry friend to care for, feed, walk and play with and they will love you unconditionally in return.

jackie williams west wales; uk

rest in peace otto.. sue- sway and i are still dealing with this daily, nothing has been turned around per say... she is holding a count at about 20, and has been for the last 2 weeks... so yeah, for whatever reason she has stopped declining in #'s so rapidly and dr. dodds thinks that is due to the Durabolin. there is still no regeneration as of yet.

josh california

I am so sorry that you lost Otto, we lost Venus our Shih Tzu on 9/10/07. I go into pet shops to look at the puppies (it's great therapy), but have not had the connection with any of them that I had with Venus. I guess I will get another puppy when I do feel that. It will never replace Venus, but may ease the hurt I feel. You should get a puppy if you feel the time is right which you won't know until you see the one for you!

Marion Farmingville

Terri, I am so sorry that you lost Otto. I lost Zoe on July 29, 2007 and still cry for her everyday so I can't tell you that you still won't be crying 2 months from now. The good thing is it is much less frequent now but, honestly, I don't think I'll ever get over it. She was such a wonderful dog. She was just like one of my kids. I've thought about getting another dog myself but as the people on the board said, you'll know when the time is right. I just don't think my time is right yet. I have two small children and am not ready to raise a puppy again. If I find one I can't pass up, I probably would get it but for now, I'll just wait. The one thing I do wonder about is if I want to get the same breed. Are you considering the same breed? Has anyone else on the board got the same breed and found themselves comparing the two? Just wondering... Anyway, if you need someone to talk to just email me. It definitely helps to talk about them. Francine

Francine Scottsdale

I am so sorry to hear about Otto and I honestly think that you never get over the loss of you pet, but eventually your tears will turn into happy memories that you shared with him. I know from experience how hard it is to deal with the loss of a pet, but you will get through this, in time. If you or anyone is ever considering a new pet please visit http://petfinder.com/ There are thousands of dogs out there that need homes and I think adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue would have made Otto or any other dog so very proud.

Cheryl Pineville PA

Terri if you feel getting a new dog would help alleviate the pain then by all means, there are so many wonderful dogs who need homes who will otherwise be euthanised; http://www.petfinder.com is a wonderful site. Or perhaps a purebreed, or maybe you wish to take your time, whatever you decide will be the right thing. Side note: I just came back from offleash in the park and there was one beautiful german sheperd puppy named Otto, and each time its owner called it I flinched hard and turned to see who was calling me -this thread, with news of my premature demise is a bit unsettling : ) -Otto

Otto Brooklyn

Terri -- Losing a beloved dog to this disease, which strikes suddenly, results in deep grief. I think a big part of that is that most of us never heard of IMHA until it struck our beloved dogs. We learn of this life-threatening disease, and before we know of it, some of us lose our dogs quickly. You shouldn't expect yourself to recover so quickly -- it will take time. For me, it actually got worse a few weeks after our Wiley died, because the first week or so, it was just like she was away. I was sad, but I was still transitioning. A few weeks after she died, it finally hit me that she wouldn't be back, and that I would have to live without her for the rest of my life. That was hard. I am still grieving, although I handle it better. You never really get over losing a loved one, you just develop stronger coping skills, like focusing on the joy of your life together. The question of adding a new dog to your home is a very personal decision. Some people get a new dog or puppy pretty quickly, while others do not. One of my pet grief books said that sometimes, the bond is so great between dog and person, that the person may never be able to give himself/herself to another dog. My husband and I still have not added a new dog to our home. It has been so painful, but we still aren't ready. Wiley was such a big part of our lives. You might want to check out the website of the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement (www.aplb.org), because it has been a big resource for me. They have a chatroom that is open a few days a week for people to talk to grief counselors. It never hurts to talk to someone, and it is also comforting to hear of others who are experiencing the same sadness at losing a beloved pet. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

Brenda VA

Terri, Angus passed last Monday and my grief was so intense, you know that pain in your gut that wont go away. We got a puppy sent up from Virginia.. another Bernard named Ronan.. I have to say he has helped tremendously..Angus is irreplaceable. I still cry alot because I miss him so. however Ronan gives me joy. It is hard to come back to this site at times, it reminds me of my big boy being so sick. It was my husbands insistance we get another dog.. He said that for months he would go to bed seeing me cry and wake up in the morning seeing me cry. My new baby has helped with that. He looks diffrent than Angus. I needed another Saint in my life I know Mr Moo would have wanted that!!. I will be thinking of you, we can be strong together!!!!1 Pat K

keefer Downingtown

Hi Terri, I lost my 9 year old baby Chewie to this horrible disease on June 16th after he fought hard for three months. It was so devastating because he was actually beating the IMHA with a PCV in the 40s then all of the sudden he went into kidney failure. I think about him everyday and still get sad and cry... but we got another Chihuahua pup in August and it has helped a lot. It's just nice to watch a healthy dog running around and acting silly. It reminds me of how things used to be before Chewie got sick. Take care, Stephanie

Stephanie Seattle

Terri, it is impossible for you to imagine right now that any other dog in the world could possibly become as precious as Otto, you feel you have lost something that is gone forever. I felt that way when my beloved Shep died aged 9 years after a 9 month illness. He was my baby, my best friend and my family, and it had been 'me & him against the world' for many years. I did not feel ready for another dog for some years, plus my lifestyle at the time was not ideal for a pet. Someone gave me a kitten, Bobbi, who is now 10 and a lovely companion. When I did decide to get another dog, I chose a 7 year old rescue collie; my theory was that if I didn't have him from puppyhood I would not get so attached, and if he was already middle aged I would have him for a shorter time, which also should make it easier when he dies. Well, that theory has gone right out of the window! Boy has been with me for 5 years now, and I love him to bits in exactly the same way as I loved Shep, and he is just as special. He & I are fighting his IMHA together, and at the moment he seems to be doing fairly well. I know when he does go, it will be just as devastating as it was with Shep! But worth it for the happiness we have had while he has been here. And now, I can remember Shep with fond memories, but without grief or pain. I hope they are both waiting for me at the bridge one day, as I would find it completely impossible to choose! I think one thing that helped me to get over Shep's illness and death was that I did allow myself to grieve, I spent a lot of time crying and didn't try to hold that back. Love to all who are grieving now, Hilary

Hilary Hampshire

Terri, How are you doing now? Let us know when you can. Our tv station did a story today about a humane society raid on a hoarder who had 60 dogs in his house. The Rochester area kennels are so full there is hardly any room for more animals. And these animals were in desperate need. The owner neglected them horribly. There is always a great need for people to bring home a new puppy or an older well trained dog. Patrice

Patrice New York State

I lost Felicia to AIHA at the end of July. Within two days I adopted a 4-year old beagle named Allie. I hoped I was making the right decision; I just missed having a dog so much. I know that Allie is not Felicia but it helps to have her to take for a walk and watch her play with the cat, etc. All the normal things. I know you have to judge for yourself when the time is right. And Allie is delighted to have a home! Do hang in there. God bless.

Jean Kentucky

I lost my english springer Fudge on 18th october 2007 he was only 3 and i still can't get over it i miss him everyday as he worked with me in my shop and its a real struggle. He became sick jaundice and anemic within 2 days had a blood transfusion then 2 days later his immune system cudnt cope and he passed away. I cant believe it still i cud do nothing and it hurts to think about it

gary northern ireland

This thread was discussed between 04/10/2007 and 20/11/2007

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