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~Angelo~ need good thoughts, prayers and candles lit

4K views 92 replies 63 participants last post by  3 goldens 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

It is with great sadness that I tell you that my beautiful heart dog will be making his way to the Bridge tomorrow, Jan 5th. Our Vet appointment is at 3:40PM. We would greatly appreciate good thoughts, prayers and candles lit for him to find his way.

Angelo has had the best 13yrs, 8 3/4 months that any dog could ask for! He has been a trooper for the last year dealing with rear leg/spinal issues and is no longer able to get up on his own among other things. You have never seen a dog with a stronger will to live than him. He really wants to stay here with us! But everything is a such a struggle for him now, and we want him to be free to chase tennis balls once again.

This is the first time for me, to have to put a dog down, and he is my heart and soul. We have spent the last several days making memories and I am very greatful that we have the time to do this.

Thank you so much for all of your support,
 

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#3 ·
Oh Jeanne, my heart is breaking for you. You know he is my hero and was such a beacon of hope when we were dealing with Cody's AIHA. I will definitely be praying and lighting a candle... please give him a big hug and kiss from me and Cody. You are such a good Mom...... giving him the last, ultimate gift of being pain free. Godspeed sweet, sweet Angelo. I will remember you always.
 
#4 ·
I am so very sorry. Their lives are much too short, no matter how long they are with us. He is a beautiful boy, and clearly you love him very much.
 
#9 ·
I'm VERY sorry to hear this. You are going to beat yourself up at times for your decision and probably change your mind a hundred times between now and tomorrow but pull from your strength and know and feel that you are giving a gift. And don't start your grieving now, live these last moments with no regrets and smiles and remember life. There will be time for grieving later.

Something that helped me when I helped my Artie across the bridge, get a special candle and light it, then place that candle between you and Angelo while laying on the floor facing each other and have a heart to heart talk and say everything you ever wanted Angelo to know. End your conversation upbeat, with a gentle smile and study his face through the flame.

Later, when times get hard and the pain seems unbearable, you can light that candle and you will feel Angelos strength and see his beautiful face again through that flame.

Most importantly, say everything you have to say now. Don't wait till THAT moment of passing. The passing will be gentle and peaceful and the just holding him and Angelo knowing nothing but love his last moments here will also be the kindest gift you can give yourself.

God Bless you Jeanne for having the strength to give Angelo a grand entrance and for being a wonderful Mom to him.

God Speed Angelo and please let my Artie know we are doing fine here. Oh yeah, and she always had a thing for redheads so be ready for smooches too.
 
#10 ·
Angelo

Angelo is so handsome.
I will be praying hard for you and Angelo today and tomorrow.

The very same thing happened to our Gizmo and Munchkin-they couldn't stand up on their own and Ken and I made the decision to set them free.
Even though you always second guess yourself, we've always known in our HEARTS it was the right decision and what Gizmo and Munchkin would have wanted. Ken and I always promised we would never let them suffer.

Angelo has lived a wonderful and long life with you. Gizmo and Munchkin were only 12.
 
#15 ·
What a Handsome Boy...He will be able to run with the wind and Play with sticks and balls forever. What a sad time, this time always comes for us, hold tight to the thought we've done all we can and rejoice in the memories...

Angelo, Be Free and Always Remember that Your Family will Always Love You! Go in Peace. Prayers Heading Your way and for Your Journey.
 
#18 ·
Very sad to hear the news. I'm sure you have done everything that can be done for Angelo and are now making the hardest decision of your life. My thoughts will be with you and your handsome Angelo tomorrow. I have been in your shoes three times before and it is never easy but it is the best thing for the dog.
 
#19 ·
I'm so sorry. You have given Angelo a life of love and fun that any dog would envy, and soon you will have to show your love for him in a final, heart-wrenching act. Treasure every second with him, talk to him and tell him everything that is in your heart, and help him make a smooth passage to his new life. I have lit a candle for him to help light his way to the Bridge.
 
#20 ·
First off, what a beautiful picture of your handsome boy. I'm so sorry that you are having to say goodbye to Angelo tomorrow but it sounds like he has had a life full of love and happiness. Cherish your remaining time with him. We'll be thinking of you tomorrow afternoon.
 
#22 ·
I hope every GRFer will read Angelo's story and be thinking of him and his Mom. I'm sure everyone will agree he is a most special boy and my hero. This is from the success stories on Meisha's Hope, an AIHA site.


Angelo

Angelo is a 12 ½ year old neutered male Golden Retriever owned by Jeanne of Lincoln Park, NJ. Angelo was diagnosed with Evans Syndrome (autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia occurring simultaneously) on November 20, 2005.​
When Jeanne was asked to comment on Angelo’s symptoms prior to his Evans Syndrome diagnosis she replied, “On the Sunday before Thanksgiving 2005, I took Angelo and his canine brother, Archie, outside as usual. Angelo did his ‘business’ and we were going to go back inside. However, when I looked at Angelo he seemed to be just frozen. I gave a little tug on his leash and he seemed confused so I dropped his leash and ran inside to get my boyfriend. We carried Angelo to the car and immediately drove to the nearest Animal ER.​
”Upon admittance to the ER clinic, blood testing revealed a hematocrit of 9.5 and a platelet count of 64. Angelo was pale, jaundiced and very weak. He also had a hepatomegaly/tense abdomen. Angelo was started on Doxycycline, Prednisone, Pepcid and Carafate. When the vet came out to talk with me, it was the first time I ever had heard the words, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Blood testing, done later in the day, revealed a PCV ranging from 28 at 6 PM to 20 by 2 AM the next morning. On Monday, when we transferred Angelo to our regular Animal Hospital, blood testing indicated his PCV had dropped to 18. I was advised that if the PCV dropped lower then 17 Angelo would need to be transfused. A cross match was done to insure blood would be available if the need arose. Thankfully, the PCV never went lower then 18 so a blood transfusion was not necessary. Ultrasounds, done on Angelo’s organs, showed no cancers. When the tick titer came back negative, the Doxycycline which had been started in case of a tick disease, was discontinued. After 3 days in the hospital, Angelo was allowed to come home to spend Thanksgiving with us. Although he was weak and lethargic upon his discharge from the hospital, thankfully, he did not need to be hospitalized again. His medications, upon discharge from the Animal Hospital, included 60 mg prednisone, twice per day, 50 mg Imuran, once per day and 20 mg Famotidine twice per day. These medications were tough on Angelo but they kept him alive and allowed him to get into remission. One of the side effects from the medications was a 10 pound weight loss, due to muscle atrophy. Angelo lost so much muscle that he developed sores on his lips from biting them while eating. In addition, he could not lie comfortably on his side due to the swelling of his liver. He developed green pustules ( staph infections) that required months of antibiotics and alopecia (hair loss & thinning). He also needed the assistance of a harness to walk.​
”As Angelo’s PCV and platelets rose, we started to slowly lower his medications. The prednisone was slowly tapered down to 2.5 mg every other day and then discontinued on October 6, 2006, nearly 11 months after the Evans Syndrome diagnosis. Days between the administration of Imuran were increased until it was discontinued on April 20, 2007. Prior to the Imuran being discontinued it was being given at a dosage of 50 mg every 4th day. Angelo is currently on no medications for the treatment of Evans Syndrome. He does take a Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM tablet twice per day, a Pet Tab plus once per day as well as a Derm Cap once per day to nourish his skin. We give Angelo Interceptor for heartworm prevention every 30-40 days year around. At this time I have chosen not to use any flea/tick preventative, even though we have a heavy population of ticks in our area. In regard to vaccinations, Angelo is no longer receiving any vaccinations whatsoever.”​
When Jeanne was asked to comment on the current state of Angelo’s health she replied, “Angelo is continuing to do very well. When his last blood work was done on July 3, 2007, his PCV was 40.6 and his platelets were 195,000. He has not regained the muscle in his back legs but he can still trot a bit after his beloved tennis ball and wrestle with his Golden ‘brother’ Archie. Angelo appears to be in no pain due to this muscle loss. I consulted a canine physical therapist and we are helping Angelo at home by taking him for short walks as well as with an occasional swim in a relative’s pool. The most important thing I learned about this disease is that you need to have a good veterinarian who is very familiar with the disease and who is optimistic (while being realistic) towards you and your pet. We credit our Vet, who has been taking care of Angelo since he was 3 months old, for being optimistic from the get go and making sure that everyone that cared for Angelo in the hospital knew it. We also credit the very slow reduction of Angelo’s medications as one of the positive factors in regard to his survival. To Angelo, every day is a celebration and to us, each day that Angelo is with us, is a gift.”​
 
#23 ·
Oh Jeanne....I am typing through the tears. I know how hard this is for you. I made the decision for Kody on a Sunday too with an appointment for Monday. I know what this night will be like for you. You have given Angelo the best possible life and he knows it. You have always made choices for him out of love and he knows that too. I wish I could say that there are things that will prepare you for the loss but I am sorry to say I can't. Even when you know that it is time...it is never easy to say goodbye. Please know that we are here for you. You and Angelo will be in my thoughts and prayers and I will light a candle to help guide him on his journey to the Bridge. I will send up a little prayer to my angel Kody to meet him there and comfort him. Know that Angelo will have many friends at the playground of angels. Sending prayers of strength to you and ((((hugs)))) to Archie too.

Godspeed sweet Angelo..............
 
#26 ·
I am so sorry. Jan 8th is Sam's 2 year anniversary. I know exactly how you're feeling. You're probably doing what we did. Having a weekend of love, hugs, tears, and Good Bye's. I cherish my memories of our last weekend. Please give Angelo a hug and tell him I hope he meets up with my Sam at the Bridge. Sam and Angelo could be twins...beautiful red boys.
 
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