Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Toby is gone . . . .

I let Toby go just a little while ago. It was time. He was obviously in distress. Last night I went to visit him at the vet's office and feed him some supper. He was happy to see me and scarfed down the chicken that I gave him. Sadly, he deteriorated quickly today. The vet called me at work, and I went to him immediately. I held his beautiful yellow head in my lap and kissed him goodbye as he gently went to sleep. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know it was the right thing to do. I'm comforted by the fact that he was at the vet's office and not alone at home while I was working. He was surrounded by people that cared about him. I'm so grateful for this forum. As I was holding Toby, I remembered someone here commenting about their dog's birthday in Paradise. I thought of that while he slipped away. Karen Hoffmann

Karen H. MO

Karen, I am very grieved to hear this. You did so much for Toby to help him survive. I am sure he understood this in his doggie way. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Patrice

Patrice NYS

Karen, I am in tears to hear this sad news. I know what you went through and it is, as you said, the hardest thing you have ever done. Toby is no longer suffering. Take comfort in knowing that you did everything that you could and that this was out of your control. I am so sorry. I hope that Toby and Sunny are frolicking together with the other IMHA dogs at the bridge awaiting the arrival of their earthly moms and dads. Hugs, Leslie

Leslie Oceanside

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about Toby. I just lost my Mozart too. May God bless us all and give us strength through these difficult times. Becky M.

Becky Augusta GA

Karen, I am very sorry to hear this, please know you did everything you could and he is having some peace now I am truly sorry, Mj

Mj ny

Dear Karen H - I'm sorry for your loss and completely understand what you are going thru. I had to put my little Mozart down 2 weeks ago today. Words cannot describe that moment in time, as Becky & I held him close and said our goodbyes. My heart broken into a million pieces that day and still is. I cut Locks of his beard off and tied them with a ribbon. They lay on a shelf next to my bed; those locks of silky white hair with a puppy smell. HOld on to the memories, the good times. You did the right thing as hard as it was. I am so so sorry this had to happen. Words can't say enough. Take Care. Karen R

Karen Augusta

Karen, Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of Toby. I am so glad you got to hold him and comfort him in his final momemts, that is a love that he will never forget. Please take care, Linda

Linda Sapphire

Karen, I am so sorry. I know how difficult it is to lose to this awful disease. I am glad you were with your sweet boy. I know that Toby knows how hard you tried but unfortunately sometimes no matter what we have to say goodbye. I hope in the coming days the good memories you have of your too short time with Toby will help erase all the memories of this awful time. Sharing in your sorrow Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Ca

Karen and Family I too was so deeply saddened by the news that it was time to let Toby go today. I wish I had the right words to comfort you during this difficult time but I can only offer my prayers and assure you that you did your very best in giving him every possible chance, and sometimes our earth suits just cannot be fixed. I hope in time the sadness will pass and you will celebrate the time your family got to spend with him. I will make a donation in Toby's honor to the Morris Animal Foundation today. With tears in my eyes, Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Karen, I'm crying with you. I've been reading your posts over the past few weeks and months, and you were such a great mom. Putting Raven down was one of the hardest things I've ever done...but it was all done from love, as you did for Toby. I'm sure he felt your embrace at those final moments, and is now playing with the rest of our beautiful friends at bridge. Sending you comfort during this difficult time of mourning. Sharon

Sharon CT

Oh, Karen. Please forgive me for sending the earlier post. I just now read this one. I am so very sorry that you had to let Toby go, but I know you did what was best for him. I pray that God will ease your sorrow. I have no doubt that Toby is with his Creator in heaven. God bless you, Karen

Karen NC

Dear Karen and Family: I know you feel so low right now. As the others have said, you were passionate about Toby's care and well being. He was a lucky guy and vice versa. I was amazed at how much crying I had in me after the loss of Kit. I looked like a prune (probably still do)! I know you have a good sense of humor so I hope you and your family are laughing and crying as you talk about Toby tonight. Take care.

Cynthia Grosse Pte

God bless you and your family at this time of loss. Toby will be waiting for you.

Susie Delaware

Sad, sad tears for Toby. We are so devastated for your loss Karen. hugs for you and your family, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Karen -- I am so sad to hear that Toby lost his fight against IMHA, but you knew that it was time. I, too, am glad that you were there with him at the end -- the last thing he knew as he left this life was that you were there for him, loving him to the end. My husband and I were there with our Wiley, and those last moments have been such a comfort. You and Toby shared a wonderful life, and those memories will be a great comfort as you grieve for him. I hope you also take comfort knowing that you did all that you could to give him a chance against this horrible disease. Please take care and let us know how you're doing. So many of us have been in your place, so we know something about how devastated you feel.

Brenda VA

Karen, I am so sorry to hear that Toby has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but know in your heart he is in a better place and at peace. And dont beat yourself up over what ifs. You did absolutely everything for him possible ((HUGS)) Laurie

Laurie CA

Karen, I am so sorry... hugs and prayers to you. I don't know what else to say, except you and Toby were blessed to have each other...and your time together will always be pure joy in your memories. Julie

Julie IL

I am so very sorry for your loss Karen. Toby is pain free now and playing with all of the fur babies that have crossed.

Courtney SLO

Thank you, everyone. I wish none of us had to visit this forum, but we are so fortunate to have it, aren't we? No one understands the roller coaster ride of AIHA until faced with it like we have been. It's so hard to believe that Toby's gone. For the last few months my life has revolved around medication schedules and blood tests. For a little while I really thought we were going to be lucky enough to beat this. We did everything we could. In fact, I had just agreed to doing a splenectomy on Toby. I asked the vet to do one last blood test to see what Toby's PCV count was to make sure he hadn't dropped further. Apparently, he had gone downhill quickly after she had last checked on him - just looking at him was enough to know that it was too late. Thank you again for all your support. Karen Hoffmann

Karen H. MO

Karen, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved friend Toby. I will keep you and your family, and your angel Toby in my prayers. Amy

amy txgoldenhorse@yahoo.com

Karen: I'm so sorry about Toby. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. I went through the same thing with Daisy last year. It is a tough decision, but you know, as her owner, what is best. We all instictively know we are probably going to outlive our pets when we get them, but when they develope a disease like AIHA we spend so much emotional time worrying about them, protecting them, being an advocate at the vet, monitoring their food, medications, blood tests etc. when it finally becomes evident that they can't go on it is hard to believe all the care and love you gave, couldn't help them beat the disease for good. It has been nine months since I lost my pet and I am just now starting to think about getting another dog. Good luck, Ron

Ron B San Mateo

So sorry to hear this Karen. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

leslie ca

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your best friend. I was always told they would let you know when it was time to let go and I truly believe this. Rest assured that he is now in a happy place with all his friends, running after rabbits. Hang in there, we have all been thru it and know the feeling of loss.

Sue K PA

This thread was discussed between 10/12/2008 and 12/12/2008

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