Callie 02-28-99 - 12-07-11

[brindlebaby]

 

It's been almost two weeks now and the subject line still makes me sob. I can't believe my beautiful girl is gone. She was very brave, much more than I.

 

Callie was our first greyhound. I was mourning the loss of our dog PJ and would stay up late at night (mostly because I didn't want to sleep because I was afraid of dreams) just looking on the internet. I happened to see a couple of AboutMe pages on ebay, which were about greyhounds. One page was of Diane Krall's Jordan (who beknown to us went to the bridge on 12/05/11) and the other was Christel Ausman who told about her greyhounds.

 

I had seen greyhounds in the past at a fall festival (I guess it was a kind of Meet & Greet) and remembered how calm and regal they were and was intrigued by their wide beautiful collars. I started looking up greyhound rescue groups in St. Louis (there are 3). I saw one grey on Rescued Racers website that reminded me so much of PJ in the face, the reddish fawn coloring and her personality and traits told by her foster mom.

 

I emailed Rescued Racers and was told that Trish was in a foster home in Belleville, IL and they could arrange for us to meet her. That Saturday Rescued Racers was doing a M&G at a Petco near us. My mom and I stopped by (hoping Trish would be there). The rawness of just losing PJ and just seeing all those beautiful greys looking for a home, I started crying when I saw them. Feeling embarassed, I went to the back of the store to compose myself. A kind woman *which turned out to be Callie's foster mom* followed me to the back of the store and asked if I was alright. I apologized saying I had just lost PJ, etc. She handed me Callie's leash and asked if I wanted to walk her around the store. I looked down and the most sad beautiful eyes looked up at me. She said, "This is Callie." I mumbled I recognized her from the website.

 

After walking Callie a bit, I took her up to the group in front. They asked if I wanted to meet any other dogs and I told them no, I'm interested in adopting Callie please.

 

After a quick stop at Target for my mom, I raced home to fill out an online application. I was crushed to see "Adoption Pending" on Callie's profile. I went ahead and filled out an application anyway and then emailed the group asking if they received it. I think I had to wait a day for a response **seemed like months** but they said that they received it and would get back to me once they checked with our vet and our references.

 

We got the word toward the end of the week that Callie was ours and I went on a shopping trip buying new bowls, new bed, new crate, new toys... read Cynthia Branigan's book from cover to cover in one day. I cleaned the spare bedroom, even getting down on my hands and knees scrubbing the hardwood floor. I was acting like royalty or the president(or a mother-in-law was coming to stay). Callie joined our family on a Saturday afternoon in April 2001. She brought so much joy to all our lives. (Trish ended up getting adopted by Kerry (stlgrey on GT) around the same time as Callie and was renamed Ali - so we eventually were able to meet her at Rescued Racers events which was cool.)

 

That December Callie and I started donating items to various groups in need with Angela Curtis & Giving Greymoms, I believe it was called at the time. All donation photos had Callie modeling or posing with the goods. I still have all the photos by date and look through them every now and then and marvel at how she became even more beautiful with age.

 

This was Callie's first modeling gig way back in December 2002.

 

Some photo shoots were a bit challenging, if not comical (that's flour on her nose ).

 

 

Madam Callie & Razzleberry with mystery box for Hope for Hounds Auction 2006 ~ always a good sport, she looked forward to her paycheck in the form of treats.

 

Sometimes Callie's brothers modeled with her...

Callie and Kodi (see how he's holding his best friend's leash)

 

Callie and Peanut

 

Eventually we (Callie & I) started running ebay auctions and online raffles under Long Tall Callie. I think Callie raised over $10 thousand over the years. We ran a Senior/Special Needs Raffle for Callie's group in June 2008 and our now Pixie (then Mary Ann) listed as a special needs grey. Her profile said she was extremely shy and needed a confident hound to guide her (or something like that). We weren't looking for another grey, but I thought, that "confident hound" is Callie! That July 3rd, Pixie came home and after more than 7 long years, we finally had a second grey. Pixie and Callie are the exact opposites, but they couldn't have been a better fit. They both complimented each other.

 

Callie & Pixie Halloween 2008

 

Callie was diagnosed with osteo in January 2011 (she broke her right front leg). She had it amputated and did very well.

 

Callie & Pixie the night she came home from the hospital after her amputation - we got an air mattress which Pixie, Sam & Kitten loved, but Callie hated.

 

Callie celebrated her 12th birthday the night of her first chemo.

 

She had a slight setback in early June, we had left her and Pixie at home while we went to Rescued Racers picnic (it was hot and Callie had chemo the next morning, so thought they'd be more comfortable at home). When we returned, Callie was favoring a back foot and refused her dinner. Knowing she had an early chemo appointment in the morning, we just gave her a Tramadol for pain. (I was able to coax her into eating a little dinner). At chemo they thought she had something going on with her cruciate liagment, so they gave a prescription for Tramadol with instructions to restrict her movement and call if she didn't improve). By that Wednesday she was peeing blood. Got an appointment to our regular vet (praying it was just a UTI or something minor) and when they weren't able to sample her urine (it was like sludge), we rushed her to the emergency hospital where she receives her chemo.

 

Once examined, they thought Callie may have Rhabdomyolysis, so they started flushing her system. She spent the night and by morning she was improving. I was told to visit that afternoon and bring some food to tempt her. They carried Callie out to me and her eyes were glazed over and she couldn't even lift her head, they had it propped up on a small cat beanbag bed. The doctor came in and said that while she was better that morning when she talked to me, she had been going downhill. They said if it was Rhabdomyolysis, she should of gotten better. All lab and blood results were coming back normal and they were stumped. She said they could do an ultrasound of her abdomen, but usually they have a reason, now it's just a kind of last resort thing to check. I gave my permission and asked for copies of Callie's labs so I could go home and scour the internet, GT, Dr. Stack, GH-L. I requested Callie's doctor to consult with OSU and she said she would call after I left.

 

I hadn't even made it home and they called and said that Callie's spleen had been ruptured. She said it possibly a hematoma, but more than likely hemangiosarcoma. I asked if they could remove the spleen and she said yes, but since it's probably hemangiosarcoma, surgery would only give her 2, possibly 3 months. Right then I told her that I thought it was a hematoma, it all made sense now. That Sunday she was perfect before we went to the Rescued Racers picnic. When we returned home (4 hours max) she was favoring her back foot and not eating. I said that I think she may of slipped getting on the couch (she did this little run before jumping on the couch) and probably came down hard on her abdomen on the edge of the couch, rupturing her spleen. She doubted that, but said she would talk with the surgeon and see when she could do it.

 

She called back within the hour and said the surgeon wanted to remove the spleen that night, but first wanted to check her heart. (I think hemangiosarcoma can be in the heart). Her heart came back fine and she had the surgery that evening. The surgeon called me and said Callie did really well (she said she always worries more about greyhounds, how nervous they can get, etc.) and she wanted to get her into surgery quickly. She said Callie should be able to come by Monday. Callie spent Friday in the hospital. At the Saturday morning call, they said she is still refusing to eat. They said to come visit later that day and they may discharge her (only because she is not eating). She did get to come home Saturday night and I was so worried about her, that she would go downhill. She ate that night and quickly gained all the weight back that she lost (since not eating for almost 7 days).

 

We got the call the next week from the surgeon telling us it was a Hematoma! She said they were all surprised, but I wasn't. So weird because I am the biggest worrier on earth and I had no worries about hemangiosarcoma because I was positive it was a hematoma. Callie stayed right on track and received her final chemo treatment 2 weeks later. I thought this one would really wipe her out after all she'd been through the past month. She was usually tired the rest of the day after a chemo treatment, but this last time she wasn't.

 

Playing August 2011, (one month after her spleenectomy)

 

She went every month for checkups and they had her on chemo drugs that we could give at home. At one of her checkups, her backlegs were a bit loopy. They took her back for x-rays, thinking the osteo returned. It was shown she had a little arthritis on her spine, but no osteo. They thought she may possibly have a pinched nerve. She was put on meds for arthritis and she did seem to improve.

 

 

On Tuesday November 28th, Callie fell in the hallway while I was at work. After that her back legs wouldn't hold her. I called her oncologist and rushed her in. She said that it's probably her spinal problems. We took Callie home and continued to use the sling to take her out. My husband Herman was having surgery that Thursday morning and I was going to be off work for 12 days with him so I would be home with Callie too. Once Herman's surgery was over I planned on taking Callie to a specialist, seeing if accupunture or something would work. On Tuesday 12/6 Callie ate a good breakfast and then a Frosty Paw at noon. Trying to move her from the couch to go potty before dinner that afternoon, she had an attack where she was wheezing and I think her tongue was swollen. She started pooping and I screamed to Herman to help me get her on the floor. We drug her from the living room to the bedroom on a shower curtain to her bed. After comforting her, she did settle down, but refused dinner. That evening I got her to taste some white meat chicken and she woofed it down. She had a restless night, but we had already made the decision to call for an appointment in the morning.

 

That Wednesday morning, Callie refused all food. We got an 11am appointment with her regualr vet. My brother came over Wednesday at 1020am to help us get Callie to the car. (He carried her himself, which was easier on Callie.) I had put a bunch of blankets in the back seat to make her more comfortable. My cousin rode in back with her and Callie laid her head on her leg while she gave her pets and comfort.

 

One at the vet, two of the technicians came out and carried her in on a stretcher to a tastefully decorated private room with a couch, chair and a cushy bed in front of the couch for Callie. (This room is new, in the past we've just had to go in a regular small exam with the big metal table in the center.) We were offered coffee, soda or water. I asked for water for Callie.

 

Her regular vet came in and talked to us and Callie and kissed her head several times. Callie was very alert. The vet gave her a shot to make her more comfortable and then left us alone for a bit. I talked to her and told her not to be afraid, that her mom and dad loved her very much and that we were right there with her.

 

After a few minutes, her vet came and Callie was gone. Thankfully it was very peaceful and she just seemed to drift away (I was so thankful she didn't die when she was in distress like the previous night). I held her and talked to her throughout. We sat there awhile and then I asked my cousin and Herman if they would let me have a few minutes alone with Callie. I told her how much she changed our lives and how loved she was. I told her that her best friend Kodi (our shepherd) would be waiting for her, with Kony and our cats Peanut and Bailey. I told her to watch over us and wait for us to join her.

 

Her vet had cut some of Callie's hair for me and I am going to wear it in a memory locket. Herman had given me a necklace for my birthday which has a sterling heart pendant with Callie's actual paw print (like a fingerprint) and her name engraved on the back. I have been wearing it, but I'm constantly feeling my neck to make sure it's still there.

 

We had her cremated and got her a nice wooden box. They brought her home this past Wednesday. Her vet sent a card with a touching personal message and some cards with Callie's name and foot prints on it.

 

I had prayed Callie would have more time after her amputation, but we had her with us over 10.5 months (95% of it good) and that was priceless.

 

I am most worried about Pixie. She looks lost. I've looked at Rescued Racers adoptable dogs, but I think it's too soon. Maybe February, mine and Callie's birthdays are in February. When we get another grey, it won't be to replace Callie, it will be because of Callie.

 

Watch over us beautiful girl, until we meet again

 

Kim, Herman, Pixie the grey, Kitten the cat, Sammie the German Shepherd and our Angel Callie

Edited December 21, 2011 by brindlebaby

[Guest GreyGary91806]

So sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was a blessing for you guys.

[Batmom]

My heart goes out to you and Herman and Pixie.

 

Godspeed, unforgettable girl.

[FiveRoooooers]

In tears here. I'm so sorry your special girl had to leave.

[TheFullHouse]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your girl was indeed lucky to have shared her life with you.

[maryz]

What a special relationship you had with Callie. I'm so sorry for your loss-she was indeed a beautiful girl, inside and out.

[Greydawg]

With heartfelt sympathy.

[Charlies_Dad]

Kim, I am so very sorry. I saw your tribute in COG and now I see the pictures of beautiful Callie. You both fought very hard and she obviously was a brave soul.

 

Run free Callie, run free sweetie...

[PattyE]

I'm so sorry for your loss. She definitely was a special girl and had a wonderful life with you.

[robinw]

Kim, I followed Callie's story on Circle of Grey. I'm so very sorry.

[Feisty49]

You wrote a beautiful tribute to Callie. My heart is hurting. When the time is right, you will find a Greyhound that will not replace Callie but give life to your house again.

[racindog]

************************************************************************************************************************

 

"For love is as strong as death....

Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it.

If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised."

-Song of Solomon 8:6-7

:f_red :f_pink

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

"What we have enjoyed we can never lose…All that we love deeply becomes a part of us."-Helen Keller

My heart is breaking for you. My deepest sympathy.

[Houndtime]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful Callie.

 

Say not in grief, "he is no more," but live in thankfulness that he was. ~ Hebrew proverb

[GreyPoopon]

I'm so very sorry. She was an extraordinary girl--thank you for telling us about her.

 

Godspeed Callie.

[winnie]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl Callie.

[Guest madredhare]

That is a wonderful tribute to Callie. She was beautiful.

Edited December 19, 2011 by madredhare

[galgrey]

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

[Guest PiagetsMom]

Your Callie was a beautiful girl.......I'm very sorry

[greytpups]

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful Callie.

[kikibean]

Callie was such a special girl, I'm glad I got to know her.

 

She made an amazing difference in Pixie's life.

 

Kelly

[Remolacha]

I am so sorry

 

 

[carronstar]

I am so very sorry.

Run free, Callie.

[AnneGTS]

I'm so sorry.

[sabrina]

Sorry for you loss of Callie

[greyhead]

Callie was quite a girl, and you are amazing.