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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Oct 8, 2008 21:18:01 GMT 1
If anyone had told me this afternoon, that I would be writing this now, I'd not have believed them. Right now I am in shock. About 6.15pm Kira got off the sofa, where she'd been lying with Scampi, and collapsed by my office chair, clearly in distress. Phoned the vet straight away and rushed her down to their Cardiff hospital practice. She was DOA. Apart from the usual vaccinations and that one accident she had when she injured her neck, she'd never had a day's illness in her short life. She seemed such a tough, little one, and such a huge character and personality. Examining her body, the vet discovered that she'd had a massive haemorrhage into her gut, which seemed to indicate a ruptured spleen, and I was told that possibly she'd had a tumour developing and that suddenly burst. It seems so hard to believe, as she was eating, trotting around and wagging her tail during the day, with not a sign of anything being amiss, bless her. I asked, and was told that it could possibly have been a congenital problem and due to her being so inbred, which was always something at the back of my mind since I adopted her as a waif of just 7 weeks with rickets and the runt of her litter. Tiny she may have been, considering she was three-quarters Welsh foxhound, but she had a huge personality, was the happiest little dog I think I've even known. One look in her direction, even when she seemed to be asleep, and her tail would be wagging. I will miss her tremendously, and there will never be another quite like Kira, bless her. Run free, my brave and bold little one.
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Post by Viv on Oct 8, 2008 22:03:48 GMT 1
I'm so sorry to hear about Kiri. As you say, dogs leave a big hole in your life when they go to the bridge. She had a good life with you and didn't suffer, there is a lot to be thankful for.
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Post by RuthE on Oct 8, 2008 22:03:51 GMT 1
I am so sorry Al
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Post by Tracyb on Oct 8, 2008 22:25:30 GMT 1
So sorry Al, I know how devestated you must be & not knowing what is going on makes it worse. At least she was at home with you & surrounded by things she liked best. Run Free to the Bridge Kiri
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Post by AmyJo on Oct 8, 2008 22:40:24 GMT 1
So sorry Al. Its so horrible when its unexpected. Run free and healthy Kira
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Oct 8, 2008 23:08:15 GMT 1
Thanks, all.
I am still in shock. So sudden and unexpected.
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Post by murtle on Oct 8, 2008 23:28:39 GMT 1
So sorry Al, such an awful experience. I'm glad she didn't suffer.
Huge hugs
M
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Post by Just Jackie on Oct 9, 2008 11:06:50 GMT 1
Al what a terrible shock for you, and what a blow to lose your little girl at such a young age. The only positive in this, if there is such a thing, is that she didn't suffer a long, debilitating illness.
Run free little Kira, and go find Cassie who I am sure will love your company.
Jackie x
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Oct 9, 2008 12:48:03 GMT 1
Kira was buried close to Mog, my mare's grave, and under the hawthorn trees. Still finding it hard to take in. When one takes on the rehoming 'rejects' with known potential problems, one always knows there's a chance things can go wrong, and when I lost Megan, just a few months ago, it almost didn't come as a surprise, as she'd had so many problems fro the very start. Although Kira was related to Megan (Kira's mother was a daughter of Megan's mother from an earlier litter) and Kira's father (the foxhound) was also the father of her own mother, Kira seemed such a healthy, tough little one. So bouncy and full of herself. A terrific little housedog, too, and with a bark that made her sound like a much bigger dog and a real deterrent to any would be burglars. The place seems so quiet now. Scampi came down to the field with us this morning and was allowed to sniff his little pal's body, as last night he had a wander around the house, looked under the sofa and half-crawled into the 'den' that Kira had made for herself under a coffee table and tucked away in the corner of the room, where she gathered all her stuffy-toys together away from Moss, who would rip them to bits given a chance. He did that to one once, and since then, Kira always hid them away, just selecting one at a time to bring into bed with me each night. I the mornings she's hide it away again, she was such a funny little thing. I have yet to access her den where, besides her toys, there are sure too be all manner of stolen yoghurt pots and other rubbish she's acquired from the kitchen bin. Cushions, too, as she used to drag those off under the sofa to make nests with. It's hard to tell if Scampi's missing his pal. He's seemed to be increasingly wandering in his mind of late, and often appears oblivious to things going on around him. He does, however, know when it's time to go out for a walk or feed and lock up the poultry. Because he's now treated to a spoonful of the ferret's meaty chunks, as the birds are no longer laying eggs, it could be that reason why he's anxious to see to the birds and ferrets? Food is about the oly thing that motivates him these days. That, a walk due or the need to empty his bladder are the only things to usually get him off the sofa! If a dog could write, he'd have a 'Do Not Disturb' sign displayed at all other times!
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Post by nicki on Oct 9, 2008 20:48:43 GMT 1
Oh Al I'm so so sorry Bless her she was a little darling and such a wonderful character. It's horrid when it's such a shock like this, you've had no time to prepare yourself and feel cheated of that. I guess the comfort though is that she didn't suffer months of illness - so maybe best for her. I lost a rescue Cavalier many years ago to a tumour on the spleen - she too was incredibly well, fit and lively and eating well - they seem to cope so well whatever is going on underneath. It is good that Scampi had the chance to say goodbye - I always let mine have that opportunity. They still grieve, but they don't look for the missing dog, which is easier for everyone. Sad that he is getting old and confused Take care, give yourself time to grieve, and in time you will remember the happy times you had together. Kira was lucky to have you and have a wonderful life with you. Thinking of you - love and hugs from us all xx
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Post by Jazz on Oct 9, 2008 21:14:38 GMT 1
No words can say how sorry I am
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Norma
Wolf Team Member
Posts: 993
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Post by Norma on Oct 12, 2008 19:50:45 GMT 1
I am so sorry that you lost Kira.
run free Kira.
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Post by andrewkfletcher on Oct 13, 2008 10:33:19 GMT 1
Al. Time is a great healer Hang on in there and think of all the good memories with Kira. Don't have to suggest making yourself busy to a workaholic eases the pain because I know you will add to your immense workload without a prompt from me. It's true though keeping busy does help to distract your pain from nagging at you.
So sorry you have had to have this burden thrust upon you and writing this is bringing back some sad memories of our 4 legged friends that have passed over the years. It's inevitable but inevitability don't make it any easier.
Stay safe
Andrew
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Post by 7lurchers on Oct 21, 2008 23:22:17 GMT 1
Oh Al, I am so sorry to hear you have lost your beautiful little girl, Kira. That photo of her on the chair shows how full of life and character she was. It does not make the parting any easier, but she was well and happy until the end. Run free Kira.
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Post by petdesigns on Oct 22, 2008 18:12:07 GMT 1
I only saw this just now.. Run free, Kira! And loads of for you, Al! I'm sorry, but I don't know anything to say that may help. Thinking of you!
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Oct 22, 2008 19:08:40 GMT 1
Thanks, all.
It still seems very quiet here without Kira's presense, and last night I woke up from a nap fondling an 'ear' of a cushion in the same way I used to fondle Kira's, and which she always loved. They were such big, floppy ears for such a little dog. It brought a smile to my face, though, remembering.
Scampi seems to be adjusting well to sole occupancy of the sofa. He's been such a couch potato anyway since discovering what sofas were for after his arrival. He's also started seeking out attention now, too. Something he's never done in the past. Occasionally he'll come up to me if I'm at the sewing machine and have a little nuzzle, bless him. Not sure how 'with it' he is at times, though. Whether his 'strange and absent' moments are more a part of his personality or the result of old age creeping up on him. He wakes up and is very 'with-it' on walks where there might be a rabbit or squirrel around to chase, or at the sight of a cat! Suspect he's been rummaging in the shed where several feral cats have been sleeping, as he's picked up some passengers tonight... Off to find the Frontline...
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Post by reclaimingrebus on Oct 27, 2008 13:14:11 GMT 1
I lost my boy rob in similar circumstances. when you know they are going, then you start to grieve, but when it's a shock, the pain seems to go on forever. I'm so sorry Al. Run free Kira
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