Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - What I learned...

I was finally able to do it, some kind of tribute post to Mikey: http://dogthusiast.com/2010/10/11/what-i-learned-from-losing-my-dog/ I thought I'd share here, since I gather you all may understand (and you helped me get to this point...) Thanks, Jen.

Jen San Francisco

i don't get a chance very often to come here as much as i would like, but i came here tonight for some reason and saw this post... all i can say is i know so much how you feel, i lost my dog sway after 2 years of this disease. i'm sorry for your loss of mikey- your post brought almost instant tears to my face, sitting at my desk at 1am and just basically weeping over the common ground and just the reminiscing. it is so hard, such a life altering event for everyone, but i'd have it no other way because losing your heart dog should have such an impact, they were more important than anything in the world and i just wanted you to know that i share your grief, but also your love for our animals. your families love for mikey, my love for sway, their love... a constant unconditional love back to "their guardians," it's what makes the world go round. and thank God for it. this world is so jacked up. just thanks for the post-

josh california

Hi Jen, What a beautiful tribute, just got to get myself together now! I am so sorry for your loss, so far we have won the battle but I am so aware that things could change at any time or could have been different. One day I hope to lose the paranoia when Archie is a little quiet. You are special people and both you and Mikey were lucky. Sue and Archie

Sue Cambs UK

Jen, What a wonderful piece of work you have created. I believe that it will be so helpful to some one who has lost their dog to AIHA/IMHA or any other illness for that matter that I have put a link to it on the Loss & Grief page at the Meisha’s Hope Web site: http://www.cloudnet.com/~jdickson/loss.htm I particularly like this statement: “But most of all, Mikey’s passing taught us to take the difficulties of our lives and instead of letting it get us down, to let it propel us to something positive. I am taking what he gave me, and putting it to good use: improving the way I care for myself and for my companion animals.” Thank you so much for writing this, I know it will truly help many others who have lost their dogs to AIHA/IMHA.

Joanne MN

Jen, What a wonderful tribute to your dear friend, Mikey. And such a gift for anyone who reads it. Thank you. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Jen, Thank you so much for putting together this wonderful tribute to Mikey! What a sweet boy he was, I love his joy when he is running on the sand dunes. You are both so lucky to have had each other. I am sure, putting all your thoughts "on paper" has helped you with the grieving process. I am also sure your words will help many people who lost their dogs. Mikey made it all happen, his love will go on. Best wishes, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Jen and family, What a wonderful tribute to your boy. I loved the videos. You were not able to have the years you should have with Mikey but for the time that you did have anyone can see the absolute love that was shared. My last 6 dogs have all been dumped/abandoned dogs. I can only imagine the rough starts that they had but for their life with us it is/was unconditional love on both sides. I often think of the Garth Brooks song The Dance, when I think of my loss. "I could have missed the pain but I would have missed the dance" The ache never completely goes away but every funny happy memory of these very special dogs will forever be in our hearts. Thank you for sharing. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Jen, This is just beautiful. I'm sitting here bawling right now. We lost Bronwyn to IMHA at only 19 months, 36 hours after diagnosis, and our very own big, old, black dog Trajan this past weekend. Mikey was a lucky, lucky dog; even if you only had 8 months together, I'm sure they were the best 8 months of his life. I love Penny's quote from the Garth Brooks song, because I know I have brief moments each time we lose one of our dogs where I wonder how many more times I can do this. And then I realise that I'll keep on doing it, because the heartache when they're gone is absolutely worth the time you have with them, no matter how long or short it may be. They are part of our family, and they give us so much. I'm going to go hug Amy now, and give her a big old belly scratch. Thank you for posting this. Elizabeth

Elizabeth Baltimore

Jen In the short time you had Mikey you gave him a lifetime of love and adventure!! I loved the video of him running up and down the dunes, what fun that must have been for him. Thanks for taking the time to write what Mikey has taught you, I too found it to be very moving and a wonderful tribute to your Mikey. My video camera is charging now, as I realized I don't have any videos of my 3 golden's. I had put the camera away when my children grew up. Thanks so much and may Mikey's beautiful spirit be with you always. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

Jen, I hope that you don't mind that I have posted your link on my Facebook page for all my friends and family that are animal lovers. Your words meant so much to me as well as your story. We all need to remember how special our relationships are everyday. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Haven't been on this site for a very long time. But for some reason clicked on it today. Now I know why. It was to read Mikey's tribute. He looked so much like my first dog I ever owned Lucky who was dumped beside a horse paddock and I rescued him from the side of a busy road. He was the best dog you could own, and lived to a very old age. I also lost a little Maltese mix Scruffy from IMHA at the age of 9 months old. A pet shop buy that was obviously a a puppy farm pup. Although your tribute made my cry I am so so glad I have read it. It helps so much with coping from the loss from IMHA. thank you so much and Mikey will always be with you. Your tribute will help many people as it said everything you can possible say. Julie. Melbourne, Australia

Julie Australia

Jen, just wanted to add if you get the chance look up Josh's Yotube tribute to my best friend Sway. It also was the most amazing tribute you can ever see.

Julie Australia

Jen, I think the biggest compliment I can give you is that it took me 10 times to get through your tribute. I had to walk my current dog (my late Macy's littermate Sugar Bear) for a walk after a few sentences b/c I couldn't see the screen through the tears. But eventually I got it together because I wanted to read what you had to say. I have my own thoughts/horrors/experiences etc..but I wanted to stop trying to relate and just read your story for you and Mikey. This was hard to do b/c I could relate to so much that you wrote. I especially liked the video of the dunes (Macy loved to run the dunes on the beach by our house) and the amount of time you put in on a daily basis to Mikey. The walks were the best part of my day as well....rain or shine. The disease strikes so quickly. Macy was diagnosed on Dec 29th, 2009. I remember my wife and I had plans last New Year's Eve that we cancelled and I basically sat here in shock/fear/denial/etc...wishing with all I had that it was just a bad dream. I have dealt with the loss of friends and family. I have had melanoma cancer cut out of me. I have been through a divorce a few years ago....but none of it was as hard as losing Macy to IMHA. She passed on Jan 26th of this year. I would hope that I would be further along than I am. I still think about her every single day. I'll tell her I miss her even though I know that sounds crazy. A few weeks ago I was on a plane (not with friends yet thank goodness) on the way to Vegas for a bachelor party of all things and was listening to my ipod- sure enough a song came on that reminded me of her and I felt the first tear come down. So not what I wanted but I love those moments too b/c they let me know that she is still with me. I admire you taking action. The two best things we can gain from losing our soul dog as you put it are learning from it but more importantly, becoming inspired to make a difference. Thank you so much for sharing....your love for Mikey is very evident. He was a lucky dog.... Sorry for the long post...your tribute just touched me very much.

Darren CA

Jen, what a great tribute article this is! Mikey sure did have a special mommy in you and I bet he's looking down on you now with smiles from ear to ear! You've got one heck of a good skill with words...and yes...it was enough to bring tears to my eyes...in a beautiful way! Thank you for sharing this with us. HUGS Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Jen: That was absolutely beautiful! Mikey was a very lucky dog. Your tribute inspired me to take Sheba to the park today as it's a gorgeous fall day and I know we won't have many more chances to walk there together. Thank you. Rita, Mike and Sheba

Rita IA

Wow, all of your beautiful messages have brought tears to MY eyes! Thank you so much for the wonderful responses, it means so much to have others who understand. I felt like no one understood at work, and many probably don't (and that's OK), but I shared that link on Facebook and one person came up to me and said that she didn't understand the love people had for dogs, but then she understood people could have that much love for their dogs. And I got a hug :) After being kind of down about not being understood, she turned that feeling right around - and that felt great. @Darren - I had much less serious cancer cells cut out of me, and that trauma/upset/depression was what directly led us to change our lives so we could adopt Mikey. And he fixed it. But while I know my upset wasn't nearly as bad as yours, I can definitely relate about how the two pains are so different. Thank you so much for sharing - I can see how our stories relate. Hugs to all of you, Jen.

Jen San Francisco

I cried and cried and can't help but thing that that could have been me and Buster. What a wonderful dog Mikey was and what a wonderful dog parent you were and will be again. Ronda and Buster

Ronda Illinois

Jen -- I'm still crying from reading your post! It's pretty clear Mikey was a special dog, and you are a special person. Thank you so much for your tribute to the love between dogs and their people. You're so right about treasuring the little things and every moment. For the rest of your life, those memories will comfort you, and, over time, bring more smiles than pain. Take care and know that Mikey is still with you, always.

Brenda VA

Dear Jen, I am so moved having read your tribute to Mikey. I loved seeing the photos, and I am so moved by your dedication to him. He surely had the best 8 months of his life with you. So many of your words ring true and really make me think - I do not walk my dogs as much as I should - I also struggle with work-life balance with a busy and demanding job, and too often I make the excuse when I get home that it's too late to walk them, or I'm too tired! But I think of them waiting for me to get home, it's the highlight of the day for them, going for a walk. And I know how much Millie loves her walks..... goodness I feel guilty! I nearly lost her to IMHA and promised her when she was sick that we'd walk every day if she could just get better for me..... She came good on that promise we made but I have broken it. I lost my cat Will in March suddenly, and my biggest regret is not taking more photos, and I can't find a photo of the two of us together either.... The camera has been a regular companion no matter where I go, and I have taken a lot of great photos with my cats and dogs. I am also so happy that you advocate adoption - so many dogs and cats die in shelters unnecessarily and never get a chance. Thanks for sharing this with us, it really is inspirational. Sam & Millie.

Samantha Geelong Australia

This thread was discussed between 12/10/2010 and 20/10/2010

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