Sad News About Skippy

We have enjoyed our little Skippy dog (rat terrier/chihuahua) for a year. During this whole time, she has had a seizure disorder. Normally, she seizes and recovers with temporary blindness and wobbliness that lasts for a short time (under an hour). She might go a month between seizures. But, a few days ago, she had a day that was practically ENTIRELY filled with seizures. She never had time to recover before another one was on her. The following morning, her breathing was very labored and she was nonresponsive. I took her for what would be her final visit to the vet. They kept her for about 6 hours, but she was gone. I made the extremely sad and hard choice to have her euthanized.

I have cried buckets. My heart has not been this broken since 1976.

I miss her terribly. I never had a pet who adored me like Skippy did. If I sat down, she was ON me. She always snuggled beside me under the comforter at night. She was my faithful friend.

I am so happy I got to know her for that short, short year. She gave me a feeling of Hope when I had little. She made me feel love through a very tough period in my life.

I am thankful.

RIP, Skippy, precious friend.

On a similar "doggie news" note -- I came home after my final visit with Skippy and I hugged our other dog, Cosmos (red heeler). His chest "felt closer" to me than it normally did. I backed away and noticed a tennis ball-sized lump on his throat! It was just as if he had swallowed a tennis ball! I called the vet and made an appointment for the next day for him to have surgery for an abscess. They kept him overnight. It was VERY HARD for me to be dogless for a night. Sad. :-(

When I went to pick Cos up, and CONFIRM the payment arrangement I had made the day before, the owner of the place came out to talk with me. He was extremely rude, belittling, mean, and downright cruel. I have given this man far too much of my time and energy, so I won't go into details here. But, let me say that after 6 years of our family's business -- he lost it with his 35 minute tirade. I will go further and tell you that I definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND DUBLIN ANIMAL HOSPITAL in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I have mixed opinions of the vets and office staff there. But, I will not be giving the owner any more of my money than what I have agreed (and WHEN he and I agreed). Period.

Having given this a lot of thought, I really feel sorry for him. Either he has really been burned by people not living up to their financial promises and obligations to him, or this economy is really hurting his business. Maybe both? But, I am a person of integrity and am offended by his treatment of me as his personal whipping post.

I find that you get what you expect. Since he expects the worst -- he seems to get the worst. Perhaps a fresh approach would be in order? Maybe my living up to my promises to him will help him begin on a new path toward belief in the Good that surrounds him? :-)

OK. There. I'm done.

Rest in peace, my sweet little Skippy.

-Holly