Big Paws Only Dog Forums

I've really been missing in action, although I do pop back and read frequently.

We're having some problems with Anna Banana, and I've just been reading similar issues with Fumbles.  She's had the diahhrea for the last four nights - can't make it through the night.  This morning it had some blood in it - not bright red, but definitely blood.  She's had nothing unusual to eat...we never give the girls people food of any sort...and no bones or other treats.  I'm fairly certain she hasn't gotten into anything since there's no evidence of rooting or shredding in the basement, where they both sleep.

And of course it's a long weekend here so the vet isn't around until Tuesday.  Our emergency vet clinic is horrid here.  She doesn't seem to be in any pain, is still eating and drinking, and has good energy.

Last time she had the poopies, the dr told me to put her on kaopectate ... so I started that yesterday.  I had hoped it might solidify things but no go so far, and in fact, now the blood 

Send some good thoughts to the goofy newf will you please?

Someone sent this to me in an email this morning.  If I have to cry, everyone has to join me! hehehe 

THE POSTAL SERVICE NO ONE HEARS ABOUT

Our 14 year old dog,  Abbey,  died last month.    The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.  She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven,  God would recognize her.

She dictated and I wrote:. . . .

Dear God,

Will you please take special care of our dog,  Abbey?    She died yesterday and is in heaven.  We miss her very much.   We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick.   I hope that you will play with her.    She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick.

I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog.    But I really do miss her.

Love,
Meredith Claire

P.S. Mommy wrote the words after I told them to her.


We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey,     and addressed it to God in Heaven.     We put our return address on it.     Then Meredith stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven)   and that afternoon I let
her drop it into the letter box at the post office.

For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet.  I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch.  Curious,  I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and said  "To Meredith"  in an unfamiliar hand.   Meredith took it in and opened it.

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers,  "When a Pet Dies".   Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God,  in its opened envelope (which was marked Return to Sender: Insufficient address) .   On the opposite page,    one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words  "For Meredith"

We turned to the back cover,  and there was the other picture of Abbey,  and this handwritten note on pink paper:

Dear Meredith,

I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help.   I recognized Abbey right away. You know,  Meredith,   she isn't sick anymore.    Her spirit is here with me--just like she stays in your heart--young and running and playing.    Abbey loved being your dog, you know.

Since we don't need our bodies in heaven,  I don't have any pockets!-- so I can't keep your beautiful letter.   I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey.

One of my angels is taking care of this for me.  I hope the little book helps.   Thank you for the beautiful letter.   Thank your mother for sending it.

What a wonderful mother you have!    I picked her especially for you.   I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way,  I am in heaven but wherever there is love,   I am there also.

Love,
God and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words.

 
As a parent and a pet lover,  this is one of the kindest things that I've ever experienced.  I have no way to know who sent it,  but there is some very kind soul working in the dead letter office.    Just wanted to share this beautiful act of compassion.

I'm a few days late, but it was just one year ago that Barkley left us.  Today is our wedding anniversary, and it was the 19th of May that we helped him cross the bridge.  I was just rereading the post that I made that evening after he left, and what a mistake that was!  Never read stuff like that at work!

We still miss him...every single day.  Each of our buddies has their own distinct personality, and make a mark in your heart that no other dog will ever come close to filling.

Barkley was an amazing friend.  I'm picturing him up there today, running and drooling, pain free, and waiting for us.

Wow!  Lots of changes to the board!  I got myself locked out from the board but thankfully Michael the Wizard got me back on today!  Thanks Michael!

So...we've had an eventful few weeks with Miss Anna Banana!  She went into heat for the third time since joining our family in October 2006.  We met with the vet, weighed out the risks, and decided to go forth with the spay while she was entering heat.  She had her surgery on Monday and seems to be recovering just fine.  We sent her uterus away for testing as there were some suspicious bumps on it.  Came back on Friday - nothing to worry about but she had an extremely overactive uterus and would have been in almost constant heat had we not proceeded with the surgery when we did.

She has been exhibiting some unusual behaviour since the spay - the biggest of which is wanting to stay in her crate all the time.  She will whine to go down into the basement to the crate, runs when the door to downstairs opens, and then burrows in her crate almost as if she's nesting.  She has taken every single toy in there with her, and has taken to carrying HUGE balls around in her mouth.  I'll have to get a picture to show you cuz it's too cute.  Anyhow, I'm chalking it all up to hormones and figuring she'll come around.

Now...I have to go get caught up on everyone's news!

Her name is Scrunchin (I'm not sure I've spelled it correctly) and she is currently in the air, flying on her way to her new home.  I miss her already!!!

One of my professors at school is a Newf owner and lover.  She was the one who held a class gathering at her home specifically so I could hang out with her dog!  She sent me this picture, and gave me permission to share it with the board. 

It is Homeport Isaac  Island (Isaac) and Homeport Highland Moses (Moses) (half brothers) picture taken in January both at 18 months. She and her husband are owned by Isaac.  Isn't it a great picture???

The breeder that we got Anna Banana from called today to check in on our girl, but also to ask me a favour.  She's having a female pup flown up from a breeder in Maine next weekend, and because of some restriction around clearing dogs through customs, she has to send the pup from Maine to another part of the US and then get a direct flight into my city. 

I will go pick the pup up from the airport, keep her overnight and then put her on a flight to Newfoundland the next day.

An eight week old Newfie pup!!!  I've never even met one before!  I'm so excited!!!
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Wonder if she'd notice if I kept her for a few months?? hehehe