Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Tribute to Junior

Lassie Junior Ariadne was our dear friend and companion (my soul mate) for nearly fifteen years. We got her as a rambunctious and playful six week old puppy from the Lost Dogs’ Home in North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 25th November 1995, on the same day that we lost our dearly beloved beagle/cattle dog cross Lassie, who passed away as a result of heart failure at the age of twelve and for whom Junior was named. Junior quickly established herself as an alpha dog, especially with our chihuahua Mitsy (being a heeler/kelpie cross, that goes without saying!) from the start, pretty much ruling the roost from the day she entered our lives (and helping us through our grief with Lassie) until the day she left us on 21st September 2010 (my mum’s birthday) after a long and courageous battle with immune mediated hemolytic anemia, a terrible disease where the immune system attacks the red blood cells, causing bleeding and weakness. Junior was first diagnosed with the condition in May 2006 and was successfully treated with a blood transfusion and hospital stay, followed by a course of immunosuppressant drugs, which she took for a few months, before being weaned off them. She was doing really well until August this year when she relapsed and after further treatment (requiring another blood transfusion, hospital stay and drug cocktail) was sent home with a rather hopeful prognosis. She did quite well too but her victory was short lived, when she had yet another relapse and the agonising decision was made to have her put to sleep. Not having my dear friend greet me when I come home from work, or being able to kiss the top of her head and talk to her in a silly “doggy” voice is breaking my heart nor has it sunk in that my baby is gone. I love my little girl very much. Our dog Toby and cat Circe miss her terribly. Dealing with the loss of Junior has been emotionally draining and I don’t know what I’m going to do without her….

Helen Melbourne

Helen, What a lovely tribute for a very brave and strong dog who battled and won. Yes it eventually took your sweet girl but I am sure the years in between have left you with some very fine memories of your dear Lassie Junior. Junior will be in your heart forever. Take care Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Helen, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your most beloved Junior. Please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss. When you feel up to it, I urge you to 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 resouces that will be very helpful to you during these most very difficult days. Once again, my deepest sympathies to you on your loss. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne MN

Helen, I am so sorry to hear that Junior lost her hard fought battle with IMHA. You endured one of the biggest fears, that IMHA will return. There is no true cure, just very good luck. WE are all hoping that with funding and future studies, nobody has to endure what you have just been through. I am so very glad that you had a few more years with your baby as I know how precious that time was to you and your family. My very deepest sympathies, Ronda and Buster

Ronda Illinois

Dear Helen, I am so sorry to hear that Junior lost her battle with IMHA. She had 15 wonderful years with you and your family, she was blessed to have you and you were blessed to have her in your life. I hope in time, the happy memories of your time with Junior will make you smile and the pain of losing her will ease. Everyone on this board shares in the grief of the losses of darling IMHA dogs and the successes of those who survive. Our thoughts are with you during this very sad time. Samantha & Millie.

Samantha Geelong

Helen, Just want to say that I am sorry for your loss. I am glad you had the few extra years but I know in some ways that probably makes it harder. Be proud of yourself and your girl. You both did so well....my deepest sympathy. -Darren

Darren CA

Thank you to everyone for your kind words. I think in a lot of ways I'm still in a state of shock. I still look for her when I come home in the evenings and then remember she's not there. There's a part of me that can't bear it. I know that Junior will be in my heart forever and that she's gone to join my other two lovely dogs Lassie and Mitsy at the Rainbow Bridge. See you on the other side, my beautiful brave girl.

Helen Melbourne

Helen, I just want to say I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Junior sounds like she was a wonderful companion, and you wrote a beautiful tribute for her. I know exactly what you mean about still thinking you will see them when you get home (I had to rearrange our living room just to make it look a little different... and our cat took over his spot... cats). You're so right though - they'll always be in our heart. My thoughts are with you, Jen.

Jen San Francisco

Helen & Family~ We pray your journey through the loss of your doggie, Junior will be filled with lots of comfort and joy of the wonderful memories you made together. Remission and relapse are both possiblities for our four legged friends battling IMHA, but the optimism you all shared is the HOPE we all need. Enjoy the moment! Blessings, Cindi

Cindi & Tori PBC

Dear Helen I had a bit of a weep as I read your tribute to Junior, as I lost 6 year old Riley earlier this year. Junior sounds like he was one tough doggie to have survived those bouts of AIHA, with the help of you of course! Im sure you have some wonderful memories, and how lucky was Junior to have been graced with such a caring home for his 15 years. Run free now at the Rainbow Bridge Junior. Silka

Silka Melbourne Australia

Helen, I hope with time your heart heals. I'm confident Junior is playing now with lots of wonderfull new friends at the bridge. My condolences and deepest sympathies foryour loss. Run Free Junior. Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

This thread was discussed between 06/10/2010 and 12/10/2010

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