Invite others to view this Memorial. Enter email addresses below:
This memorial is sponsored by:
With Love, Cinderella and ToTo
Memorial created 09-29-2007 by Amber O'Hara
Nvwati and Yukon Jack
September 28 2007
Yukon Jack
AHoooooooooooooo This is who I sent to my mom and Mkwaa. This is Yukon Jack, a siberian husky who was in need of a home as much as Mkwaa needed something to occupy her mind. I had my paws in this. Isn't he a beaut?
Mkwaa and Yukon Jack
This is Mkwaa and Yukon Jack hanging out together. Ahem! Note MY bandana on Mkwaa. That's ok . I don't need one here at Rainbow Bridge and it looks so cute on her I think. Now I have to get mom to get Yukon Jack one. I think a nice red one would be good for him.
Yukon Jack
Mommy says looking at Yukon's eyes is confusing. She doesn't know if she should look into the blue one or the amber one.
Yukon at 4 weeks
This is Yukon Jack at 4 weeks........... Check my picture taken when I was 3 weeks and just tell me "Mirror Mirror on the wall........" LOL
Baby Bubbs
As I was saying........
Yukon - Dec 1, 2007
Yukon Jack has been with us for several weeks now. He has settled in nicely and Mkwaa seems to like him enough but still misses her brother Nvwati. She is at least eating now and more her old self. Yukon I am blessed to have had you join us and I thank you for accepting Mkwaa and I as your new family. You are a very good boy and I am looking forward to many many years with you, building our own memories, etc.
Pssst Mommy, smile, Gloria has a camera!
Check Yukon out LOL. Here I am in deep conversation with a neighbour and Yukon spots a camera! This boy is not camera shy for sure!
Oh My God! Look what my Mommy made me do!
Trying to get into the spirit of the holidays, I put the antlers on Yukon and asked him ( bribing him even) to go sit in front of the fireplace for his first Christmas photo. There was no way he wanted anything to do with that and ran as fast as he could to my (unmade)bed! AHA! I got him! We sent this picture to his Nana who misses him so much.
JANUARY 26, 2008 Happy 10th Birthday Yukon Jack.
February 6th, 2008
Yukon Jack got his first piece of mail today. His Nana ( previous owner's mom) sent him a birthday treat and the cutest card in the mail.
My scanner is not working so I will try to describe the card:
On the front it has the cutest picture of a red and white siberian husky with ice blue eyes.
It reads : "Happy Birthday to a guy..........."
And you open it up and it says:" Who is more than just a pretty face!"
Its adorable!
Snoopy who lay with Yukon Jack in his coma while in coma... to keep him company
APRIL 30, 2008
It's too soon. Yukon Jack had to be brought into emergency today. Tests don't show anything but the vet says its something neurological.... they suspect a blood clot in his brain.
They put him on iv and antibiotics and he seemed to be doing better for awhile.
Then tonight the vet called to tell me he wouldn't make it through the night.
I got over there as fast as I could and spent some time with my boy telling him what a very good boy he is and what a sweet sweet dog he is. I thanked him for coming into our lives, for helping us heal the loss of Nvwati, and for loving us.
I told him I so wanted him to stay but if he was too tired to fight then he had to make his journey. I told him Nvwati would meet him at the Bridge and show him around.
My tears fell on his soft thick fur and I said my goodbyes.
I expect a call any moment saying he is gone.
Im heartbroken. Too much too fast.
HOw can this be??? He was only with us for six months.
Someone please help me understand.
Yukon at 8:30 AM today
MAY 1, 2008
Amazingly Yukon Jack made it through the night. I just got back from the animal hospital. His breathing is better, his gums are still pink meaning he is getting oxygen but he's in a coma and non reactive to anything. The vet believes it is stem cell (brain) damage because he is not responding to tests that would rule that out, and his pupils are so tiny, and she is concerned that the longer he remains in this state the less chance of him pulling through without permanent brain damage lessens. His temp has risen a bit, not enough to worry about anything but it could mean infection somewhere. He is on mega doses of antibiotics though so she hopes this will fight off whatever that is.
The other problem is that he could technically stay in this state forever.
I am at a hard place needing to decide what to do. The vet said there is less than a 1% chance that he WILL pull through and be ok enough to have any quality of life and she recommends we let him go for today treating him still with iv and antibiotics and see if there is any change for the better or worse.
The irony is we have no idea what happened. He was not injured in any way. It just came on suddenly which leads her to believe it was an aneurism in his brain. He eats only the best of food, is never off leash, and gets tons of exercise daily. He is a happy boy who knows he is loved dearly. This is just a fluke that is a mystery and it happens sometimes I am told but I am so hungry for answers. I need to know what happened to my boy!
I don't know what to do. It costs like $80 a day for hospital care plus all the stuff they are doing for him and I simply don't have money to pay for this. I don't want to make the choice to have him put down, so I begged him and Creator to decide one way or another what is best for him on his own.
I feel so powerless. There is NOTHING I or anyone can do for him except keep him hydrated with iv and antibiotic treatment, and hope he decides one way or another what he wants/CAN do. The entire vet staff are spending time with him, talking to him, hugging him, stroking his fur telling him he is so special and loved and we want him to pull through. It simply isn't enough. If love could save my sweet boy he would be bouncing around and coming home today.
I put tobacco down asking Creator to decide today. I can't bear to see him like this. This is so soon after losing my beloved Nvwati. It is so unfair and I don't understand the reason /lesson in this. My heart cannot break anymore. All I can do is sit and kiss Yukon Jack and tell him what a very good boy he is, how sweet he is and how much he is loved. I tell him over and over again how I want him to fight with everything he has to get better today, to show some sign that he is going to be ok. I feel so powerless!!
Breaks my heart.
Amber
Yukon chewing my shirt while in coma.... as if to say DONT GO MOM!
MAY 1, 2008 6;15 PM
I just got back from spending a few hours with Yukon Jack. He is responding from time to time to my voice, words he likes to hear like"Cookie, park" Good dog!". The vet has had him listed as "stable" for the past five hours. He is still in coma but seems to have moments of awareness of what's going on around him. He responds to my kisses and hugs by twitching his little ears and whimpering and trying to crawl up on my lap. At one point tonight he bit onto my shirt and wouldn't let go. I am spending time massaging his body to keep the blood circulating and sending him positive thoughts. I sat and sang two songs for him today, a healing song and a warrior song and told him he IS my warrior and he is doing a great job fighting this. All I can do is surround him with the love I have for him and tell him how proud I am that he is so strong in fighting this and I am not giving up on him.
He is still not out of the woods and it can go either way but today's events give me more hope. Vet says he is blind and she is not sure IF he survives if he will remain blind/partially blind or have sight. THIS is the furthest worry for me. If he is blind but has quality of life we will deal with that. Mkwaa and I can be his eyes if need be. This and the fact that he is never off leash tells me we could cope with that. We actually know a blind dog who has a yorkie fur sister who is her eyes so I have seen blind dogs cope well.
Keep praying please!!! Yukon Jack has so many people who love him and who are praying for his recovery. If there is miracle in prayer my boy is going to make it. The vet is amazed at him. She isn't even hinting at euthanasia now like she was last night and earlier this morning. If anyone can pull through this its my boy Yukon Jack! He is fighting with every bit of energy he has and I am spending hours with him daily stimulating him and reassuring him and sending him healing energy.
I took some pictures earlier today and some just now before I left him and its different as night and day. Vet tells me not to raise my hopes too much and I am trying not to but I am not giving up on him. I refuse to. As long as he's willing to give it a good fight I am too. And today he is showing me ( and the Vets that he is going to fight whatever this is ).
His pupils are also a bit bigger and seem to get larger from time to time to light stimulation so again this is a great sign.
His breathing is MUCH better today - especially this afternoon.
Unless I hear otherwise, there is no change for the worse. I will stop by again tonight before the hospital closes and be there again first thing in the morning.
Amber
Hope
May 2, 2008
Vet called today to say that Yukon Jack is drinking water and they are going to give him food today!!
He said whatever I am doing when I am with him, to keep doing it. He is pretty sure my boy is going to make it. It's still a mystery. They have no idea what happened but all tests lead to an aneurism. .. a blood clot in his brain.
Yukon still has no sight but he is going to be ok!!!
Heading over there now to spend time with him, tell him how proud I am of him and encourage him to continue progressing.
Thank you all for all the prayers. Please keep praying. My boy IS going to come home with me soon.
My bandaid that is helping me get nourishment from IV
Please let me out of here! I want to go to the park!!
Taken May 3, 2008
I have just come from seeing Yukon Jack. This morning after they gave him water he vomitted and this was a good thing because he vommitted up some gunk that was in his tummy. Amongst it was some tiny pieces of tin foil. Since I don't have tin foil in my house, we can only assume he somehow found something in the grass in the park when we were out earlier on Wednesday and inhaled it before I had a chance to see that he had it . Whatever was in that tin foil is what got him sick. The antibiotics and IV seem to be flushing it out of his system.
He is so much more alert today. Both his eyes seem to be focussing on things so this is excellent. The vet says as soon as he eats and can get enough strength to stand and then walk he can come home!
She said these little shows of progress daily are so good!They will try again later to give him more water and some food.
He is in the hub of activity there as his ward is where they keep meds, food and water for the animals in care there. So he gets tons of attention. No one enters his room without stopping to say hi to him and they are in and out of there every few minutes. He is trying to escape from his cage ( another good sign) so they have to keep it closed, meaning Snoopy the vet dog can't go crawl up beside him now to keep him company.
Yukon Jack is responding to everything said to him - his eyes following every movement in his room. He is not a whiner like my Nvwati was but he is whimpering as if to beg me to let him out of the cage. I keep telling him as soon as he can eat he will gain strength and as soon as he can stand up, walk and eat he can come home and we can go to the park as often as he wants. I will be heading over to the park later with signs warning other dog owners that someone left something in the park that made him very sick and to be aware of tin foil in the grass.
They said I can bring Mkwaa over to see him later which will be good for both of them so this is our plan, to return this afternoon so they can visit as well.
The above 3 pictures are pictures from this morning's visit. Keep those prayers coming. My boy IS going to come home to us.
Hugs
Amber
Later - Mkwaa and Yukon Jack enjoyed their visit. :)
Mkwaa visiting Yukon Jack in hospital
May 4, 2008
I was unable to visit Yukon Jack today because it is Sunday and the Animal Hospital is closed to visitors on Sunday.
The vet called though to tell me that he is still very alert, aware of all going on around him.
She said he was whimpering for me today so she sat and talked with him and assured him I will be back to see him first thing tomorrow morning.
He is still not eating on his own which is a great concern of theirs, so she hand fed him. He is also still not able to stand or walk. She is worried there may be paralysis... but also knows that it could be he is too weak to stand, not having had much food. He is still on IV antibiotics.
She said that he is NOT blind, and his brain damage if anything has not affected the way he thinks/reacts/responds. She is concerned he may have paralysis from it but we will deal with that if needed at that time. Right now we are counting our blessings and encouraging him to get back to his old self, or at least stay at a good place where he can have quality of life.
My boy IS going to come home !!! Just as soon as he eats and can stand and walk.
May 6, 2008
Yukon Jack vomitted up some more this morning. Still some tin foil. The vet is going to do a barium xray on his stomach and intestines and more blood work today. If there is still stuff in his stomach surgery is a possibility to remove it.
Yukon was able to have a bowel movement last night indicating his digestive tract is functioning well.
He is able to hold his head up for longer periods now and seems more secure in doing so. He can drink on his own but continues to need to be hand fed.
When forcing his front legs to move (manipulation) he whimpers and snaps so this indicates he feels pain, probably from the IV, and this is a good sign,
They will continue to try to help him gain strength in standing with the use of towels. The vet remains hopeful.
5 pm
May 6th, 2008
Xrays including barium xrays show no more tin foil in Yukon Jack's stomach or intestines. This is good. It means surgery is not necessary.
The only thing that showed in his blood work was Pancreatitis. This explains why he doesn't want to eat... it HURTS him to eat. The best treatment is nothing by mouth except iv and antibiotics for 3 days so this is what the plan is at this time.
He is in some pain from this but not enough to merit the use of pain killers yet so the vet said as long as he seems reasonably comfortable they will let him direct the care. The good news is this can be treated if caught in early stages and the vet thinks it was caught in early enough stages.
They continue to be hopeful that once this clears up he will be able to eat ( he may need a whole new diet forever afterwards) and gain strength.
Vets don't expect any change until Friday.
Continuing to spend time with my boy, manipulating and massaging his legs, giving him encouragement.
Keep those prayers coming!
Hugs
Amber
May 7, 2008
I spent some time with Yukon Jack this morning. He is on Nothing by Mouth for 24 hours to see if they can help his stomach heal. He seems to be in ok shape, somewhat uncomfortable from time to time but not whimpering in pain so they continue to not give him any pain medication, because they believe he will heal faster without it.
My boy is alert still and perks up when I get there and seems distraught when I have to leave him. I hate leaving him! but he needs rest now more than anything.
Ive been researching canine wheelchairs which cost a small fortune but having looked at it, it is definetely "makeable", and if necessary I will have one made for him. I am still focusing on "he IS going to walk. He IS going to be ok. He IS coming home".
The vets say he is determined, strong and has shown every indication he wants to get better. The good news is that he has had no relapses.
Will update later if there is anything else to report when I see him later this afternoon and tonight.
Keep those prayers coming!
Hugs
Amber
May 8, 2008
I just returned home from spending time with Yukon Jack. He seems somewhat more sensitive when touched to be moved into a different position today.
They will do more tests today to see how the pancreatitis is doing. The Vet is concerned that he is showing signs of edema which could indicate that his body is beginning to shut down.
He said its still 50/50 if my boy is going to make it. He is still on IV and antibiotics and nothing by mouth.
His front paws continue to show no strength meaning there is no way he is capable of sitting or standing. This is why he has to be changed positions every few hours so he does not develop pneumonia.
The vet says that he pants from time to time because of the discomfort caused by the edema.
The Vet did say that if the pancreatitis is gone they can begin trying to force feed him again and give him water to drink. Once he is able to be hand fed he will be able to come home. I will continue to work with him doing manipulation of his limbs, massage and hand feeding him until he regains strength.
The Vet told me that my positive energy is good but he wants me to try to prepare for the possibility that Yukon Jack won't make it through this. He said the little bits of progress are good but he still has a long way to go and he may not have the strength to fight this for too much longer.
He is hoping that once he can eat and drink (even if hand fed) his IV can come out and he MAY get some strength back in his front paws, because he might be "favouring" them because of the iv line.
Please continue to pray for my boy. He is such a sweet and good boy!
Thanks
Amber
"Anyways, with medicine there's a time and a place for everything. It only comes around once. You have to get it at the right time."
---- Cecilia Mitchell, MOHAWK
The old ones say two things must be present for a miracle to take place. One, the right time. Two, the right place. This is why we need to honor our ceremonies. Ceremonies are done in an order. This order is applied to open a "door" to the right time and place of the medicine. This door opens to the Spiritual World. The Spiritual World is available to us at the right time and the right place.
My Creator, let me be patient today so the timing is right.
Yukon Jack's Struggle is over. Rest in Peace my Sweet Boy
In loving memory of my sweet boy Yukon Jack January 26, 1998 - May 9, 2008
Yukon Jack came into our home in October, 2007, following the sudden and unexpected death of my beloved Nvwati.
The last thing I wanted at that time was another dog to come into my life and the risk of someday having to say goodbye and feel the tremendous pain and grief again. Both Mkwaa and I were in so much pain having lost Nvwati, and Mkwaa stopped eating wouldn't play, paced our home constantly looking for her brother, and was declining fast over her loss. The fact that he was soon to be 10 also was an issue, not knowing how old he would live to be. This was also the reason his owner was having a hard time finding a furever home for this sweet boy.
When I learned that he was a red and white Siberian Husky I knew he was "Nvwati sent". A few people thought I was nuts while others (those who know me best), smiled and said, "Of course! This dog needs to be with you!"
Yukon Jack, however, needed us as much as Mkwaa and I needed him. He was in desperate need of a loving home and this I knew we could give him. When he first arrived I had a talk with him and told him that we would love him forever, and that he had a big job to do to help us heal but we would repay him thousands-fold with love and nurturance.
It wasn't long before he settled into our home and our lives. Slowly our sadness over the loss of our beloved Nvwati lessened enough that we could rejoice in Yukon Jack's presence in our lives. He wiggled his way into our hearts and showed us daily that he appreciated us.
Yukon Jack was such a very good and sweet sweet boy. He loved all people, was so gentle with children and loved all animals, be they four leggeds or feathered friends. Like Nvwati, he stopped traffic when out for walks. Everyone stopped to tell him how beautiful he was. I often thought he was thinking "Yeah I know I am beautiful so where is my cookie?" To us - Yukon Jack was much much more than just a beautiful dog. He was my boy. My man, my sweet sweet baby. He loved to have his picture taken.
The day he moved in with us I was sitting at my computer when he walked up and sat in front of me and said "Wooo Wooo". I asked him if he had to go outside and he ran for the front door. From that time on, every time he had to go outside he sat by me and said "Wooo Wooo". Try as I did, there was no way I could get that boy to give me a kiss, although he loved to be kissed. He showed me from the beginning that he was not interested in learning to sing as my Nvwati did. This was ok. Yukon Jack was....... well.... he was his own being and that was more than enough! He was so very loved!!
Yukon soon learned the tactics of running along beside my scooter wh ile attached to a double leash with Mkwaa. He loved our trips daily, during all kinds of weather. If while out, I stopped in a coffee shop for a coffee, he would patiently wait for me outside with Mkwaa. He would stand in front of the window when he decided he had been patient enough and it was time to go.
He was told over and over again every day what a very good and sweet boy he is and how much he was loved.
I kept his memory of his previous family alive in him by always mentioning their names. To the Karasz family, thank you for giving me the opportunity to love and cherish our boy for 7 months. Thank you for the 10 years of love and life you provided to him.
At Christmas time I tried but there was no way I could convince him to pose in front of my fireplace with antlers on for a Christmas picture. I finally managed to get the antlers on him (much to his dismay!) and he ran for my unmade bed. After snapping a fast picture of him, I took the antlers off him. I think he was relieved to learn he only had to do this once a year.
When I had to go to Winnipeg in February, Yukon Jack and Mkwaa were boarded at our Vets (Banks Animal Hospital) where I knew they would get the best of care. Everyone there fell in love with Yukon Jack, amazed at what a good sweet boy he was during his stay.
Last Wednesday, April 30, 2008, we were out at Monarch Park (Doggie Park). As usual, both Yukon Jack and Mkwaa remained on leash. We were there during a time when there are few other dogs there. As we scooted along, I commented to Yukon Jack that it was time for him to be groomed, as all his winter fur was coming out and he was looking somewhat "grungy". I phoned the Animal Hospital from my cell phone and made an appointment for two days later for Yukon Jack to be groomed at 11 am.
On the way home from the park, around 3:00 PM, Yukon Jack began to wobble. Memories of Nvwati "wobbling" just as he had his massive heart attack flew to my mind and I called the Animal Hospital telling them I was bringing Yukon Jack in. I remember so clearly thinking,"this might be over reacting, but I am not taking any chances".
The moment we arrived (no more than five minutes later) he collapsed on the floor and was taken by stretcher into an examination room where he was examined immediately. By the time I was allowed in to see him perhaps half an hour later, he was in coma.
I held him and cried and told him how much he is loved and that I would do everything possible to help him get better. We had no idea what had happened and were confused because his heart and lungs looked good on xrays. As I left him at the Animal Hospital, I knew he was in the best of care. I knew these doctors knew my sweet boy and know how much I love my fur babies and would do everything possible to help him get better.
I spent some time with him, talking with him, hugging him and kissing him. I told him how very much he is loved and asked him to try to fight. I told him that I could never make the decision to have him euthanized so if he was unable to beat whatever this was, he was going to have to make the decision. I told him as hard as this would be on me, that I knew if he decided he couldn't make it through this, that Nvwati would meet him at the Bridge and show him around.
I returned again to visit him twice more last Wednesday. That night at 8:10 PM the Vet phoned me to tell me she didn't think he would make it through the night. She kept the clinic open late so I could return again to say goodbye to my boy. Around 10:30 PM I awakened with the feeling of peace surrounding me.
Thursday: On Thursday morning the Vet phoned to say surprisingly he was still alive! I scooted right over there as soon as they opened and spent more time with him. He was still in a coma and I repeated my conversation with him as I held and hugged and kissed him. I prayed to Nvwati to please help Yukon Jack get better if he was able to and if not, not to let him suffer. When I got there, Snoopy, the Vets dog who lives at the Hospital was laying in Yukon's Kennel beside him.
That afternoon I was at the park ( 2 PM ) with Mkwaa, I found myself praying for his survival. I knew that I would be unable to make a decision of euthenasia so I begged Creator to do what was right for my sweet boy. I asked that if he could survive with quality of life, even if it meant total care at home for the rest of his natural life, then to give him that. I prayed that if he would not have quality life to take him now and to have it be a peaceful journey.
That afternoon while still in a coma, I sat in his kennel, and put his head on my lap so I could lift it and give him kisses and hold him close to me. While unconcious, he grabbed on to my shirt with his teeth as if to say "Don't you DARE leave me!"
At 3 PM the Vet phoned me to say Yukon Jack was out of coma! My prayers were answered.
I rushed right over there and my boy was happy to see me. He knew me! The moment he heard my voice he tried to sit up, lifting his head and looking around. Sadly I was told he was blind and couldn't see me but could hear me. He knew I was there and he was showing me that he wanted to fight this! I held him and kissed him and told him I love him so very much and what a strong fighter he is and how we would fight this together. Each time I spoke to him he would twitch his ears, look up at me.
Later that evening when I visited him again he again raised his head and recognized me. Words he is familiar with such as "cookie, Treat, Park, Mkwaa" had him twitching his little ears. My boy was understanding what was told to him. I really believed that he was going to make it. I knew he would need some rehabilitation but was willing to go to any lengths to help my boy fully recover.
Friday:
The next morning it was evident that Yukon Jack was NOT blind. His eyes followed everyone who was in and out of his room. He was responding to everything said to him and became alert when I walked in the room. He was able to drink water.
Since he was unable to eat himself, I hand fed him. I visited him again later and repeated what I had been doing including massaging his body to keep his circulation going, and manipulating his legs so he would not get stiff, as this had been suggested I do and I did, the day before.
Saturday:
Saturday morning I again visited him, hand fed him, massaged his body and manipulated his legs. He was so alert and aware! When I got there I was told that he had vomitted up some tin foil etc. Knowing I have no tin foil in my home I suspected he found something and inhaled it at the park without my knowledge.
That afternoon I brought Mkwaa to visit him. Our friend Alex came down from Midland that afternoon and met Yukon Jack and had a nice visit with Mkwaa and I.
Later that day at the park I was talking with a woman dog walker who told me that she heard that a pug mix had died from crack cocaine ingestion, - found at the same park! I reported this to the Vet immediately, who told me this made sense.
That evening Yukon Jack remained the same. He was now on NPO ( Nothing by mouth) and was continuing to be sustained with IV fluids and antibiotics. I was assured that he did not seem to be in pain.
Sunday:
Being Sunday I was unable to visit with Yukon Jack because the Clinic was closed. The Vet phoned me to give me an update though, saying that he was very alert, aware of everything going on around him. She hand fed him as he was still unable to eat on his own. She assured me that he was NOT blind, and the paralysis might be temporary or then again may be permanent. I immediately began researching dog wheelchairs in case one was needed. I was determined that as long as my boy was going to fight to survive I would do everything possible to help him live as normal a life as possible. He managed to have a bowel movement on his own indicating his digestive tract was still functioning. These little bits of hope sustained me.
Monday:
I was at the clinic at 8 am when they opened and was told that Yukon Jack had vomitted again. He was going to have to remain on IV and antibiotics. They did some blood work and found he had developed pancreatitis. His Lipase level was way greater than 6000.
He had also started to develop edema, meaning his kidneys could shut down. I was told he may be a bit uncomfortable when moved but he was not in pain.
Yukon was able to hold his head up for longer periods of time and showed me he wanted to be held, kissed and stroked.
Later that afternoon, while being massaged and having his legs manipulated, or when he would be moved into a different position ( every 2 hours) he would snap though, indicating that he was in pain. Again I told him I was so proud of him for being such a strong warrior and fighting, and sang to him again. I sang the AIM Warrior song to him, telling him he was my warrior and such a good fighter! I again sadly told him that it was his call. If he could survive this I would do ANYTHING to make sure he had a good life.
Tuesday:
Yukon Jack is still unable to eat or drink water because it irritates him when he does because of the pancreatitis. Dr. Pusong tells me he has a 50/50 chance of surviving this. If we can only get his pancreatitis to settle down and try to get him to eat on his own. If he can't eat on his own, it is explained that I will have to hand feed him when he comes home. Once the pancreatitis is gone the IV line can come out and he can come home. I begin researching dog wheelchairs, asking around for someone to help me build him one.
I am determined that as long as he has quality of life, my boy is going to come home to me.
THURSDAY:
Y
The other Vet shows me Yukon Jack's most recent blood work results. The Lipace test shows very little improvement. He is not hopeful that Yukon Jack is going to make it. He tries to discourage me from attempting to care for him at home for any length of time. I am told that he remains alert and aware but this Vet believes that the brain damage has permanently affected Yukon Jack's mobility and he may never recover. He hints that I might consider euthanasia. This doctor tells me that Yukon now needs to be muzzled to move because it hurts him when moved. I ask why he isn't being given anything for pain. He is given some low dosage morphine.
I sit with my boy for a long time hugging him, kissing him, telling him how much I love him. I ask him to fight if he has the strength. I tell him I don't think I can make the decision to put an end to his life and tell him if he decides he can't fight anymore, its going to have to be his decision. I tell him again how much he is loved. I tell him if he decides it is time to end this fight that I know Nvwati will meet him at Rainbow Bridge and welcome him home.
I visit with Yukon Jack four times today. Each time he greets me by lifting his head and snuggling up to me.
FRIDAY 4:19 AM
After a very restless night I am startled awake by a dream. In my dream Nvwati and Yukon Jack are running through a field together. They both suddenly stop, turn around and both smile at me. I look at the clock and it is 4:19 AM.
At 6 AM I take Mkwaa for her morning walk to the coffee shop for a take out coffee. We scoot over to the Animal Hospital and sit outside. I tell her her brother is in there trying to get better. There is no one there so I cannot see my boy and we scoot home.
Usually I take my shower and am at the Animal Hospital shortly after they open their doors at 8 am. This morning I do not shower.
Dr. Pusong phones me at 8:15 AM to tell me he has very sad news. My boy did not make it through the night. He passed away shortly before they got there at 7:30. He died peacefully in his sleep.
I visit my sweet boy one last time, removing the blanket from his body and laying next to him, hugging him while I cry and say my final goodbyes. I stroke his beautiful face and kiss him. I take a few last pictures of my boy, now peacefully at rest. His face shows he died peacefully in his sleep. His struggles are over. He decided it was enough. He spared me the painful decision. My sweet boy died knowing he was adored and after a valiant fight.
The Vet tells me I did everything possible for him and they knew I would care for him at home for years if that had been necessary. They all hug me and tell me I was a good mom, but their words are not comforting. All I can feel is tremendous loss and sadness.
His body will be removed today or tomorrow for cremation.
I am heartbroken. Yukon Jack fought so hard to survive. He was such a good little warrior.
In such a short while he brought such joy and happiness to my life.
He will be greatly missed.
Fly free now my Yukon Jack. You earned your wings. Thank you for coming into my life, for loving me and for allowing me to love you.
You will have your place of honour next to Nvwati on my fireplace. When it is my time to meet you, I will meet you at the Bridge and we will continue our journeys to the Spirit World together.
Give my beloved Nvwati a kiss for me.
The police and Animal Services were both alerted to this situation. They both report not having heard of any other dog at the park getting sick and/or dying.
Abbie
REST IN PEACE SWEET ABBIE
Abbie was a 4 yeer old Bichon that Yukon Jack's Nana adopted and loved with all her heart.
Abbie loved to play with all her toys, and anyone else's toys too. She didn't care who these toys belonged to. She just knew that all toys need playing with and was always happy to oblige.
She loved to be the centre of attention and wasn' t very happy if she was not the centre of attention every minute of the day.
Abbie's favourite toy was a bunny named "Hoppy".
Her favourite food was bacon strips and anything else she could convince her Mommy to give her.
Abbie was very talented and loved to sit on her butt and beg..... and she loved dancing too.
Arrival Story:
Yukon Jack's Nana Maria came across and ad for 6 week old Bichon's and went to see them,she picked up this tiny little ball of fluff and she nuzzeled her neck and it was instant love. Nana Maria took her home the next week, and shewas Nana's shadow ever since.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET BOY!
Jan. 26, 2010
Furbabies gather all around
To celebrate your day –
Where health, peace and love abound
And you’re just a dream away.
The memories we share will never end
We have indeed been blessed –
Enjoy your day at the Bridge, my friend,
You’re surrounded by the best. . .
Love and Miss you so much my sweet boy!!!!
Doctors say Mommy will be joining you soon. I so look forward to being met by you and Nvwati. Please watch over Mkwaa for me. I'm OK!
Please sign the guestbook for Nvwati and Yukon Jack by clicking here
