Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Very sad family today as we said goobye to Reggie

I was still so prepared to fight for our sweet Reggie . . . until the labs came back from this morning. His RBCs bottomed out again, there was blood in his urine, etc., etc., etc. There was no denying that Reggie was suffering and it was time to say goodbye. Our six children are taking it very hard, as this was our first family dog and we only had six years with him . . . too short a time to spend with such an amazing dog. Thank you SO much for all the advice and support you have given me - I could not have gone through this without connecting with people who have been there too. Even with six children, the house feels cold and empty without our dear Reggie under foot, cleaning up the floors, and giving constant hugs. There will never be another like him.

Amy Wisconsin

Dear Amy and Family, You certainly did everything in your power to bring Reggie back to health. I know from personal experience that sometimes it is just out of our hands and no matter what we do, it is not meant to be. It all looks so bleak now, as you say empty. But even in that you will eventually see something positive. The great memories of a very unique dog will eventually take over the sad thoughts. For your children it is a real life experience. We are all eventually leaving this world..... Reggie knows you did everything, you loved him very much. And the more we love the more we hurt. You can have no regrets and therefore in time your broken heart will heal. Please accept my sincere condolences, Brigitte

Brigitte BC

Hi Amy, Sorry about losing Reggie. He was a beautiful guy and I am sure a wonderful dog. One day soon I hope your happy memories will replace the sad ones. I sure hate this damn disease! You worked so hard and did the absolute best you could. No one could ask for more. Don't look back with regret, AIHA took Reggie from you. Look back and remember all the good things and all the good times. Reggie is not suffering. Sure it will make you sad on occasion, but it will be nice to remember too. Very sad for your loss Amy, Richard & Dylan

Richard Burnaby

Hi, Amy - I don't post very often anymore, but I've been following yours and Reggie's story. I don't have the in-depth knowledge of IMHA that some of the others here have, but I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. You fought as hard as you could for Reggie; sometimes it just isn't enough, despite everything. You enjoyed his companionship for 6 wonderful years, and he was a lucky dog to have your family. I know it's hard now, believe me, but it does get better. Hugs to you and your family, especially to your kids. Our son was 4 when we lost Bronwyn to IMHA, and they were the best of friends. It was very hard on him, and still is, 3 1/2 years out. Hang in there, OK? Elizabeth

Elizabeth Baltimore

Amy: We are very sorry that you had to say goodbye today to your sweet Reggie. We know how hard it is to make that choice. We hope that in time you can take comfort in knowing you did everything you possibly could. Reggie is now healthy, happy and running free at the Bridge with some wonderful canine companions. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Rita, Mike and (angel) Sheba

Rita IA

Amy and fmily, I am so sorry. I think these special dogs are sent to us because they will know what it is to be loved so much that they leave such a hole in our hearts when they are called away. The better memories of Reggie will eventually help heal your heart. Reggie has met up with a mighty fine bunch of dogs at the bridge and I know he is telling them what a special family he had. Hugs Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Amy - I am so very sorry for your loss of Reggie and the sadness your family is feeling right now. You did everything you could to help him and I hope, in time, that brings you some comfort. Take care - Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Amy, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your most beloved Reggie. Please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss. When you feel up to it please visit the Loss & Grief page at the Meishas'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 very helpful to you during these most very difficult days. Once again my deepest sympathies on your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne MN

Amy, I am very sorry for your great lost. I hope your family was able to spend some time with Reggie yesterday. In time, the memory of the last week will fade away and will be replaced with strong memories of his wonderful life with you. Do something special in remembrance of Reggie this week to ease your soul. my best patrice

Patrice NYS

Dear Amy and Family Please accept my deepest condolences in the loss of Reggie. Feel comfort in knowing that you did everything you could possibly do for him and should never ever think "if only I could have" or "should have" as you gave him every fighting chance in the world and sadly it was not meant to be. I am glad Reggie's 6 years were spent surrounded by your families love and for whatever reason God chose to take Reggie home I am certain he has big plans for Reggie. Reggie knew how much he was loved by your family and that you will miss him and he is looking forward to that time when you are all forever reunited. Remember dogs do not live in the past, and they don't worry about the future, they just live in the now and Reggie had the best 6 years of "now" ever with you and your family. Your hearts will need time to heal and hopefully be filled once again with the love you were blessed in with Reggie. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Thank you for all the support and kind words. Today seemed to drag on forever as everyone kind of moped around the house feeling the void Reggie's death has left in our family. I had thought our 3-year-old daughter, Maya, didn't really understand what was going on with Reggie, but this morning she found a rust-color stuffed dog (similar to Reggie) and carried it with her everywhere today. She told me his name was "Reg" and that he was her best friend. Tonight she wanted to take "Reg" on a talk around the block in her baby doll stroller. Her own little way of trying to fill the void Reggie's death has left. We also decided we have the best neighbors in the world. When we pulled into the driveway after saying our final goodbyes to Reggie, we found a beautiful flowering shrub (St, John's Wort) in our driveway with a note that read, "A green and gold memorial in honor of Reggie." Reggie was named after former Green Bay Packer football player, Reggie White (who also, ironically, died young). The kids are helping me plan out a new flower garden in the front yard with Reggie's shrub at the center. Something positive to work on.

Amy Wisconsin

Amy, Following the story of what you've gone through over the past few days, I am so very sorry to hear about Reggie's passing. You are a brave woman who had gone above and beyond to do right by your family's best friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your sorrow. As a Packer fan who lives in Philadelphia -- where Reggie White also played for the Eagles -- I can appreciate the tribute of naming your beloved dog after a wonderful man. Peace, Sharon

Sharon PA

(((AMY))) My heart is breaking for you and your family. I was sooo hoping and praying Reggie would pull through this. It's such a difficult thing to have to go through and sometimes these things are just out of our reach. Given all I know about this disease I still lost my heartdog Sadie to it last August. It was the absolute worse day in my life. My heart still aches for her loss but with time it gets better. The tears of loss slowly turns to tears of joy and smiles of happy memories we had! I'm sure with time things will get better. Reggie's surrounded by some very special furbabies where he's at now. Running, playing and watching over you and your family. You've got my heartfelt condolenses and deepest sympathies! HUGS, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

So sad...it hurts us all when one of us loses our pet to this dreadful disease! Our prayers are with you and your family. Blessings, Cindi & Tori

Cindi PBC

Amy, I am so sorry for you and your family. You have your own grief and now have to explain why this stupid disease took a great dog from your family. I am truly sorry. I know the pain which is so deep for me still a year and a half later that I can barely come on this site. It is truly losing a family member far too soon. I am really sorry. -Darren

Amy Long Beach

Amy, I just happened to run across this site and read some of your story. My heart breaks for you and your family. I too just lost My Girl Gidget, a Miniature Schnauzer, to this. Seemed like a couple of weeks ago she was fine then she collapsed on her side. Rush her to the vet and they diagnosed her with seizures. Took meds for that and for some number related to her liver being slighly elevated. Within a week she became lifeless, diarreah, lethargic, depressed looking and wasn't eating. Rushed her to a nearby vet this past Saturday morning. When we told him the symptoms and that she had been eating dirt the past few days, he immediately said she was anemic. Had to do a blood transfusion Saturday afternoon. The vet called and told us that Gidget did fine through the tranfusion, even perked up, pink color back in the tongue and gums, and even sitting up. So far so good. On Sunday morning the vet called and told us the bad news that they found Gidg dead in her cage. Vet said that it was probably a blood clot. Me and my family have been devastated since. Gidget was My Baby Girl. July 25 she would have been seven years old. The vet also said that she was a prime candidate for this anemia meaning the right age and gender. I hurt thinking what "if" I should have taken her to the nearby vet the first time. Maybe then while she was still eating they could have done something for her. This is definitely one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. I'll be thinking of you and your family during this time as well.

RRGidg Georgia

This thread was discussed between 27/06/2011 and 30/06/2011

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