My "baby" died today.

[BattyDem]

His name was Maestro and he was a miniature poodle. He was 11 years old.

He was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago and was doing well up until about 6 months ago when his doctor discovered that he had chronic pancreatitis and was in the early stages of COPD. He had a few bad days since then, but all things considered, he was doing very well until yesterday morning. He wouldn't eat breakfast (which meant he couldn't get his insulin injection) and he seemed a bit more tired than he should have been at that time of day, so we took him to the animal emergency hospital.

They ran various tests and it appeared that his pancreatitis was acting up. So they put him on antibiotics, medication to settle his stomach and gave him fluids through an IV. Within a couple of hours, he was doing a lot better, but by late afternoon, he took a sudden turn for the worse. His red blood cell count plummeted and he became extremely weak. He was obviously bleeding internally, but they couldn't figure out where or why it was happening. They gave him a blood transfusion and that helped. However, because he got so ill in such a short period of time, they suspected his immune system was attacking itself, but again, they didn't know why. They ran more tests and found nodules on his liver and spleen, which may or may not have been cancer - they couldn't do a biopsy because of the internal bleeding. It didn't really matter at that point, anyway.

He had the best of care, but his blood pressure slowly dropped as his body continued to break down. They continued treatment, but he kept getting worse. All his health problems had finally taken their toll and they were just too much for a 15 pound poodle to handle. At that point, we made the decision to end his suffering. We spent almost an hour with him, holding him and talking to him. He was conscious, but he was so weak. He snuggled up in my lap and rested his head on my arm, like he's done a million times before, and at about 3:00 pm, he died peacefully.

It hurts so much! He was my baby and I don't know what I'm going to do without him. :cry: :cry: :cry:

Although I've taken many, many pictures of him, this one (from December 2007) was the last "formal" picture I ever took. It's also one of my favorite pictures, so I thought I'd share it with all of you.




Maestro
9/23/96 - 2/11/08

[hobbit709]

1. I'm so sorry

My wife's poodle looked exactly like yours. We had to put her down last summer when she couldn't walk anymore. She lived to a ripe old age of 18. It's not easy and it hurts.

[BattyDem]

6. Thank you.

Wow ... you were lucky to have yours that long. But like you said, it's not easy ... no matter how long we have them. No amount of time is ever enough. :-(

[japple]

2. What a beautiful little boy. So sorry he had to leave, but

it sounds like his little body was worn out. Thank you for sharing his story with us. He was a sweet companion and I know he's waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. May you and your family find comfort in your happy memories of him.

[BattyDem]

9. Thank you. I know he's waiting, too.

He was always so patient when waiting for me. He also had a lot of patience as a "patient" - he never "complained" about the pills, the injections, the blood tests, the countless visits to the vet, etc. He was so good about all of it. His body just couldn't take anymore. It's amazing that he did so well for so long. My little guy was a fighter. :-)

[Lorien]

3. I'm so sorry BattyDem

he was very lucky to have had you as his person :hug:.

[BattyDem]

10. Thank you.

He was an amazing little guy and I feel truly blessed to have had him in my life.

[samplegirl]

4. I am so very sorry

my heart hurts for you. No matter how many years you had him it will never seem to be enough. The loss is just so great.
As a fellow D.U.er know that you have our support should you
need to talk.

[BattyDem]

11. That's very nice of you.

Thanks. :hug: DUers truly are the best!

[yellerpup]

5. What a character he was! You were so lucky to know him

and to have him to share your life with you. You did everything you possibly could to help him and you loved him wholeheartedly through thick and thin. He's not suffering now and he would feel terrible for you to be distressed. I am sorry for your loss and for the burden of the grief you carry. Remember him with a smile as soon as possible and celebrate the life of this beautiful, sweet Maestro. Let his memory be a gift. :cry: :hug: :hug:

[BattyDem]

12. Oh yes ... he certainly was a character!

One in a million! He always knew how to make me feel better ... even today. As weak as he was, he raised his head up from my arm and gave me a little kiss. He hated it when I was sad. I have so many wonderful memories of him. They're sort of painful right now, but I know they'll bring me joy for the rest of my life. :-)

Thank you for your kind words. They do help. :hug:

[Trailrider1951]

7. I am so sorry for your loss

I know how hard that can be. Take care, and when you are ready, you will see this as an opportunity to give a loving home to another beautiful creature.

[BattyDem]

14. Thank you. It's so very hard.

Right now, I don't think I could ever go through this again with another dog ... but I said that when my cocker spaniel died 11 years ago. Then a friend handed me a two and a half pound ball of fur ... and I fell in love. Who knows? Maybe another little ball of fur will steal my heart, too.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

8. What a cutie - I am so sorry

It hurts desperately to lose a beloved furry friend. He knew how much you loved him, of that I'm quite sure. You'll see him again one day.

[BattyDem]

15. Thank you. I know I'll see him again ...

it's the time between now and then that's the hard part. :-( But I know it will get easier ... eventually.

[demnan]

13. I'm so very sorry

He was obviously a very special little dog and loved you very much. Your care for him extended his life as much as possible. He so lived a good life because of you.

:hug:

[BattyDem]

16. Thank you for saying that.

:hug:

I have a magnet on my refrigerator that says, "This house is owned and operated for the comfort and convenience of the dog." That statement was 100% true. So yeah ... he lived a great life. :-)

[Lisa0825]

17. (((((((HUGS)))))))))

I'm soo sorry. The hardest part of love is that the more you love someone, the more it hurts to lose them. I can tell how much you loved your baby (and always will), so I know this is really hard for you. You were both so lucky. You were lucky to have such a great friend in eachh other, and he was especially lucky to have a home with you.

I'm not a very religious person, but the time at which I usually find myself hoping there is some kind of heaven is when a pet has passed away. I don't know why this always affects me more than when people pass, but it does.

Even those flowery Rainbow Bridge poems can push me OVER the bridge! LOL! :cry: :hug: :pals:

[BattyDem]

18. Thanks for the hugs ... I really need them tonight.

:hug:

As hard as this day has been, I still feel like the luckiest person in the world because I had such a wonderful little guy in my life.

The Rainbow Bridge poem makes me cry and smile at the same time. It's so sad, yet it's very comforting to imagine him happy, healthy and patiently waiting for me to join him.

[Coyote_Bandit]

19. .

I'm so sorry. What a beauty.

:hug:

[Longhorn]

20. I'm so sorry.

What a tremendously sweet and terribly sad that last hour must have been. But he sure did know he was loved and was where he wanted to be. I know sharing your pain doesn't ease it but I share it, nonetheless. What a cutie! :hug:

[virgdem]

21. I'm so sorry for your loss...

He looks so precious in that picture. I'm a cat person, but I really like dogs as well. It's so hard to lose our little fur kids and having lost two already, I know that you are going through a very hard time right now. You took really great care of him and loved him with all you had to give and in the end, that's really all that matters.

[xultar]

22. I'm so sorry to hear about Maestro. He was beautiful!!!!

[Zoigal]

23. I'm so sorry.

It's so hard when our fur babies leave us. Sending lots of hugs. z

[mak3cats]

24. They tear holes in our hearts when they leave...

...but it's worth it to be able to enjoy them while they're here. My sincere sympathy to you.

[BrklynLiberal]

25. SO very sorry BattyDem. I have been there and know the heartbreak of losing a furbaby.

Their love is so unconditional. They ask so little of us. It was out of love that you ended his suffering, and he knew you loved him until the very last second.
No doubt, his spirit is hanging around you..watching over you...to make sure that you are ok.
He will want to make sure that you are able to share you love with another little furbaby someday..when you are ready.

RIP Maestro. Easy, peaceful journey.

[Branjor]

26. I am so sorry....

RIP Maestro.

He will be waiting for you!

:hug:

[Tammie]

27. I'm so very sorry

I know too well the pain of losing precious little ones. Take comfort in knowing that you did all you could for Maestro. You will meet again. Rest in peace, Maestro and take good care BattyDem.

[smokey nj]

28. I'm so sorry BattyDem

:hug: RIP Maestro :cry:

[livetohike]

29. I'm so sorry BattyDem

:hug: What a cute guy Maestro was....I hope that the good memories you have of life with Maestro will ease the sadness of the last few months.

[Neecy]

30. I'm so sorry

What a beautiful boy. As hard as it is give yourself a lot of credit for giving him a terrific, happy life. Big hugs your way ----

[Beaverhausen]

31. Let me add my sympathies as well. He was very cute

and as someone said upthread, you obviously gave him great care and extended his life for years.

:hug:

You were lucky to have each other.

[erinlough]

32. I am so sorry for your loss

My babies are my life and I worry how I will handle them going on. Please take care of yourself while you go through this loss.

[Bjornsdotter]

33. I'm so sorry

....Maestro was lucky to have had your as his best friend.

My heart goes out to you for the pain you are feeling. :hug:

He was quite a handsome fellow dressed for the holidays. We are slways here if you need to talk.

:hug:

[IndyOp]

34. I am sorry. He was a handsome boy.

:hug:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

35. RIP, Maestro.

:hug:

[sazemisery]

36. For BattyDem and Maestro

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran

[JeffR]

37. Deepest sympathies

Thanks for sharing this pic of Maestro. It's easy to see why you loved him.

[blondie58]

38. what an absolute cutie!

and 15 pounds! I've got cats that weigh more than that! I am so sorry for your loss, but you undoubtaboy gave Maestro much love and joy,

[auburngrad82]

39. So sorry for your loss

We lost our 12 yr old lab mix in December. It's hard and there's not a day that goes by when we don't miss her.

[DeepBlueC]

40. So sorry for your loss

I see the love in that picture.

[AZBlue]

41. I'm so so sorry!

It's so hard to lose these little ones! They are so special and such little angels. You were lucky to have found each other and to have shared your lives but I know that doesn't help right now. In time your memories will be accompanied by smiles, not tears, and Maestro will ALWAYS be with you!

:hug:

[roody]

42. Ay, Maestro! Que belleza!

from Tina Turner

Tears will leave no stain.
Time will ease the pain.
For every life that fades,
something beautiful remains.

I lost my little poodle a month ago. Now I am dog sitting and these little guys are filling the hole in my heart.

[Lowell]

43. I am so sorry for your loss

It is a shame that the Creator gave us such wonder companions only to take them from us far too soon. They give you their all. Total devotion and love, only to break your heart.

You and Maestro are in or prayers tonight.

[Auntie Bush]

44. It's hard to believe that little cutie is gone. Bless his little soul

I'm sure it's alive an well somewhere and just patiently waiting for you.
Bless your soul too. How are you doing now? I hope you are adjusting well...it's must be hard.

[Digit]

45. I'm so sorry you lost your baby, he looks like a real sweetheart.

It is difficult to imagine what the loss of a dear pet is like.
My heart goes out to you and your family in your time of grief.
Hugs.

[Eurobabe]

46. So sorry BattyDem, RIP Maestro

:grouphug: :grouphug: