In Loving Memory...

My heart is shattered.  We lost Armstrong a few minutes ago.  We tried everything we could to save him but in the end, the starvation and neglect was too much to overcome. I woke up at 5:59 and decided I was coming to work to check on him before anything else.  I prayed all the way.  I prayed last night before I left to please not let him die alone.  When I saw him, he was barely breathing, a slight gasp. Gums pale again. Cold.  I texted Martin and we discussed options.  We were going to euthanize.  He was too far gone and it was time.  Should we have made that choice yesterday? Some say yes.  But we were trying to do everything we could to save him...he deserved every chance we could give him.  Armstrong took the choice away from us before Martin even left his house.  I unhooked his IV so I could hold him.  I wrapped him in a soft blanket. He breathed once.  I took him to my office and sat down and he breathed one more time and was gone.

Like a gentle breeze he entered our lives.  And left the same way.  His life mattered.  None of God's creatures should ever starve or be left out on the side of the road to fight for their lives.  Especially a 6 lb baby.  He's not fighting now.  His little bag-of-bones body is whole again and he's frolicking and doing what puppies were made to do.   

He will be buried at my daddy's house.

Miss Louise

Miss Thelma

​Some days in rescue just rip your heart out...well every day pretty much does that but some days there aren't enough tears in the world to wash the pain away. Today is one of those horrible, sucky days. We lost our sweet little Thelma today. For those who don't know her story, Thelma and Louise were pulled from a Huntsville shelter back in March...Thelma was a red short-haired dachshund and Louise was her little tiny chihuahua sidekick...both at least 10 years old...turned into the shelter by a neighbor who said the owner just moved off and left them in the backyard fence. I never quite bought that story bc even though they both have health issues, they were spayed and heartworm negative and had been loved at some point...I wonder if an elderly owner got sick and never came home or what happened. Regardless Ada Warren House, who is such an angel for our furbabies, was ready RIGHT THEN to go spring them from the shelter...the director/adoption people up there were fabulous to work with and Ada jumped in her car and drove 100 miles to get them out and bring to RUFF. Furbaby foster Sue Pierce Tidwell, who I personally think hung the moon, offered to foster these babies. The minute she laid eyes on them, I think we all knew they had found their forever home. Jean Hummer Rhoten with JR's Pups 'N Stuff was going to take them in but both girls had such health issues it was determined they were at home right where they were with Sue, for whatever time they had left. Both girls were so bonded but after being at Sue's for awhile, they became more independent of each other and didn't look to the other for comfort and safety. These 2 little old girls had multiple health issues...congestive heart failure, horrid dental issues, etc. But our wonderful vets placed them on meds to help their problems and we bought them some time. And they were so happy at Sue's house. We always laughed that if Sue got just one more dog, she was going to have to get a bigger recliner...each girl would claim a spot in her lap, as would Sue's personal little Yorkie. For a time,the meds really helped. At dinner time, Thelma did her best Hoover impression...she loved to eat!! And she was such a sweet sweet girl. Those who know me, know I love all dogs but doxies have my heart...I have 3 of my own plus my immediate family has some, too. And the senior ones just get to me...always have, always will. So even though we knew it was a matter of time with Thelma, it still wasn't long enough with her. Sue messaged me early this morning and said Thelma wasn't feeling well and was having trouble breathing. To the vet she flew. Thelma was examined and found to have fluid from the congestive heart issues...fluid in her lungs. Treatment included an oxygen tank that prevented me from just loving on her but it's where she needed to be. She seemed to be improving but around lunchtime, she took a turn for the worse. Then this afternoon, her little body just gave up. She tried to stand and fell over and then she was gone. And my heart shattered into a million pieces. I can't even imagine how Sue feels right now. But I'm so glad she didn't die alone...she pretty much left this world in the arms of one of our techs...and her heart stopped with my tears wetting her fur. For those who think "it's just a dog," you won't understand. But for those who know they're family, you feel our pain. Please pray for our RUFF family, especially Sue...we truly are family and when one of us loses a furbaby, we all lose a furbaby. And I can't thank my Animal Hospital family enough...they grieve with me...Doc did all he could to save her, but it was just her time to go. Her little heart had loved all it could love on this earth. Hug your babies a little tighter tonight...we never have long enough with them.