Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Tears for Brandy

My sweet Brandy went home to the Lord at 5:30 this morning. Her crash was sudden and complete. She had all systems shut down and she faded before our eyes in just hours. We were with her through every minute of it and for that I am eternally grateful. The pain is unbearable and beyond words. I have read the Loss and grief section on Meisha's site and it is good, but the raw pain and guilt and questioning are there anyway. I am so grateful again to all of you here and will continue to pray for everyone. I think Brandy just couldn't face the long struggle ahead and she had too many medical strikes against her aged body. Just getting to the vet for labs weekly was horrific, never mind if we had her hospitalized and then daily checks if transfusions needed. She chose to be free but that doesn't lessen the self doubt when I look at her sweetness here next to me. God Bless to all sharon, bob and brandy

sharon pa

I am so so sorry. I just posted on your other thread. It's never easy no matter what to lose a loved one. Though I believe that we see our loved ones again, it is still hard when facing the physical separation. In time, may your sadness be replace by smiles and may you find peace and comfort in quiet moments when you remember her. With sympathy.

Ronda So Cal

Sharon and family please accept our deepest condolences in the loss of your beloved Brandy. I once read this in a book called The Darkest Evening of the year by Dean Kootz and found it to be so true. "Dogs lives are short, too short, we know that going in. We know that pain is coming, we are going to lose a dog, and there will be great anguish, so we live fully in the moment with them and never fail to share there joy or delight in their innocence." May your hearts and memories be filled with the joys and innocence that Brandy has brought to your family. God Speed Brandy. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

We understand your pain. All of us who have been pet owners for many years have felt that unconsolable emotional pain grieving for our marvelous pet companions more times than we care to recall. Your pain right now no doubt feels too much to bear. Please try to take solace in that fact that Brandy knew you loved her more than anything in the world. Healing is a very slow process. Our thoughts are with you in this sorrowful time. Jan

jan philly

Sharon and Bob, I am so saddened to read of your loss of Brandy. I can tell by your posts that you gave Brandy a very loving home. I know how hard it is to fight this fight and lose. In the coming days I hope your tears will be replaced by smiles when you can remember the good times with your girl and these awful days fade. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Being an animal lover ("the crazy animal lady")and having lost many in the last several years as they each aged I have kept a copy of this poem among the many little ashes containers that I have for each of them. Maybe it might help you, too. "I give you this one thought to keep-- I am with you still - I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone -- I am with you still - in each new dawn." Native American Prayer May your pain find ease and your heart find healing. Barkley and Cheryl

Cheryl Medford

Sharon - I am so sorry for your loss. Your love for Brandy is very clear and I hope it brings a bit of comfort to know you did the best you could to try to beat this. I know there aren't words to make you feel better but please know others' thoughts are with you now. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Sharon I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tricia x

Tricia UK

Sharon and Bob -- I am so sorry to hear that your dear Brandy lost her fight. It's never easy to lose a beloved pet, but somehow the grief is even harder when it is something that strikes suddenly and/or a disease that you've never heard of, and the first hearing is when the vet tells you your dog has a life-threatening disease. You barely have time to comprehend it, because you must act quickly and immediately to try to save her life. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope your memories of your wonderful life together comfort you in the days/weeks/months/years again, because the grief will remain with you always. Please know that you did all that you could for her, and she knew until the end that you loved her and that you would always be with her. Please take care and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Brenda VA

Sharon, Reading your post has brought tears to my eyes as I know how painful it is to loose a beloved pet. Please remember all the love and joy she gave you as she remembers all the love and joy you gave to her. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during the healing process. Please take care. Linda

Linda Sapphire

Sharon, My heart hurts for you right now. Though we've never met, and we didn't know Brandy, every dog with IMHA now feels like ours. It's like a terrible, yet beautful bond we all have once we are brought into this group. Tonight, we will light a candle for Brandy, and we will be thinking of you through this painful time. Much love, Melissa and Tiggs

melissa

Hi Im sorry to read about Brandy. My heart goes out to you. Lisa X

Lisa West Aust

Sharon, I am so sorry to ehar about Brandy, My heart goes out to you and your family. Please remember she is now at peace For you and and Brandy Weep not for me though I am gone, Into that gentle night. Grieve if you will, but not for long, Upon my soul's sweet flight. I am at peace, my soul's at rest, There is no need for tears. For with your love I was so blessed For all those many years. There is no pain, I suffer not, The fear now all is gone. Put now these things out of your thoughts, In your memory I live on. Remember not my fight for breath, Remember not the strife, Please do not dwell upon my death, But celebrate my life. Author Constance Jenkins

Laurie CA

Sharon, I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of Brandy. It is very difficult for awhile to deal with the loss, but rest assured, it does decrease over time. Just try and remember the good times you all had together and not the last few, this may help some. She will always be in your heart. Steve

Steve VA

i am so sorry about brandy :( will be praying that she is in peace and that you are going to be okay...

josh california

Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about Brandy. I wish this had gone differently for you. I had such great hopes that it would turn out ok. I wish that soon the overwhelming grief of her loss with be outweighed by the wonderful memories of her full life with your family. my best to you and your family, patrice

Patrice NYS

Sharon, I know we have emailed recently but I just wanted to once again express to you my deepest sympathies on the loss of your most beloved Brandy. Be assured you are in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days.

Joanne MN

This morning was horrific as we took Brandy for cremation. I snipped some her soft, silky hair and have her collar she always wore. Soon I will have her back in a beautiful wooden engraved remembrance urn. That said, I can't even begin to express the gratitude for the love you all have shown for Brandy and my family. This site has truly saved my sanity and soothes my soul. The heart-felt thoughts, prayers and poems are helping me refocus on the beautiful, proud and sweet girl Brandy was. The pain is deep and profound but healing begins. Don't stop being there for everyone and I hope to continue here as well. I am looking into some good books on pet loss, does anyone have a favorite recommendation? God Bless to one and all and especially to our best friends both here and those who are angels in heaven.

sharon pa

Sharon, I'm so, so sorry to hear about Brandy. I know exactly how you feel right now and I know how hard it is every minute of the day. Steve is right, though - it will get easier with time. Just know that you did everthing that you could for Brandy, and I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. Hang in there. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Baltimore

I am sorry to read about your loss. I lost my little scruffy too recently and it still hurts so much. I have his collar and and he is buried in my yard. I have found reading this forum has helped me cope with what happened as it is so hard to understand this disease. My thoughts go out to you.

Julie julie023@optusnet.com.au

Sharon, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Brandy. She could not have had better care. Take care of yourself. Dave

Dave CO

Dear Sharon, Our heartfelt wishes go to you and your family - what a massive part of our lives these little 4 legged creatures become. Brandy was lucky to have such a loving family. Jane, Samantha and Benny xxx

Jane Nambour Australia

Im so sorry to hear you lost Brandy. My thoughts are with you at this very hard time and I hope that you know you did everything you could have for her and for that Im sure she was very thankful. I know Im just learning about this disease but from what I know it seems to have no rhyme, or reason, why some dogs recover and some dont. Brandy was so lucky to have an owner that cared about her as much as you did. Take care Gillian and Sebastian

Gillian Victoria BC

This thread was discussed between 10/08/2008 and 13/08/2008

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