queenwinniesmom

I'm so sorry you've lost your precious boy. He obviously had a well-developed sense of humor and a mind of his own. How lucky you were to have shared each other's lives.

I voted that I would rather know. Either way is heartbreaking, though I agree with dogrunner04, who said that it may be easier if they give some sense that they are ready. I think if you have a choice, and you know you should do the unselfish thing, and not keep them alive simply because you can't bear to let them go, then at least you have given them that final gift. I've had many, many dogs and cats (working for vets and animal shelters for 27 years makes it an occupational hazzard!), so I've lost many. Of course, it's never easy, but I've gotten to the point where I'm a tiny bit more realistic, and try to make our time together as meaningful as possible, remembering that they aren't dreading that future sadness, and they are only knowing NOW---safety, comfort and love. For me, when it is sudden---and I've had a heart hound (Nick) and heart cat (Daphne) that left me VERY suddenly---that shock ramps up the intensity of grief to whole new level. Not only was I dealing with their loss, but also with the feeling that my heart had suddenly been ripped out without warning. I was in no way prepared---mentally, emotionally, ANY way. I remember feeling absolutely desolate. Abandoned, angry, confused, even guilty, and feeling their absence so powerfully that is was an actual physical pain. Other losses, while not really expected, came as less of a shock because of their age or illness. With Winnie, we knew, of course, that we would lose her. We always thought it would be to the osteo. But the stubborn old girl beat it, and in the end, it was her kidneys that stopped working. And she told me it was time---as surely as if she had spoken the words. So though I miss her greatly every day, I do find comfort in knowing that she left on her own terms, with everyone knowing that she had beaten the monster! And that can make me smile.

Mom says you can bark all you want to, Sally! Hey, if it makes you feel better, go for it. Sending prayers for her and Darcy too.

Such a sad story. Though it's little comfort to you now, at least you were able to let her family know what happened, and perhaps they can have some closure. Poor little girls....

Oh, God, sometimes this seems unbearable....Tricia, it's clear how much you and Peatie are loved by everyone here. If prayers and white light could kill the monster, we'd all give it a shot. So I think we'll try to do just that. I'm so, so sorry that you have gotten this devastating news. It's beyond unfair that he's so young, and has brought joy to so many people. I find myself saying these words way too often, but if it helps....try not to let the monster steal these precious days away from you with thoughts of the future. These dogs live in the NOW, with no fear of the sadness to come. He knows only that he is safe within the circle of your love. You'll do what you think is best for your sweet boy, because you are the one who knows him the best. Though your mind is swirling with so many questions, just do what you can, and know that if you listen to your heart, there is no wrong decision. I hope you will visit Circle of Grey. Times like this are just what they are there for. Dr. Couto is an angel. If he can help you in any way, he will. Though you're not doing the chemo, it would be worth a shot to try the artemisinin. I started Winnie on it right after she was diagnosed, and she was on it for 3 years. You know you and Peatie are in everyone's prayers.

I'm just seeing now that Darcy had her surgery. You must be going through so many emotions---and it happened so fast. But you seem to be doing everything right. And she seems to be a strong girl who will fight to stay with you. I'm joining the many prayers going out to keep you all strong and full of hope. It may be rough for a while---sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. But it DOES get better. Just remember that, and depend on everyone who loves your Darcy to give you support and encouragement. My Winnie's story may help to keep you thinking positive (she's in the Inspiring Stories on the Hope For Hounds website). She went 3 years and 2 months after her amputation. We didn't do chemo. I lost my brave Queen 2 weeks ago to kidney failure. I know that every dog is different, and Winnie is probably an exception, but I know that HER strength kept ME strong. Let your sweet girl know every day how much you love her, and try to keep the sad thoughts at bay. If we let the monster steal that precious NOW away from us with thoughts of what might happen in the future, then it has beaten us again. Darcy seems like a fighter. I think she can win.

This is heartbreaking. I know how difficult your decision will be, but you know your boy better than anyone. I agree with joining Circle of Grey, and starting him on the artemisinin. I just lost my precious Winnie to kidney failure, but she beat the osteo monster---3years and 2 months post amp, and she was on the artemisinin the whole time. Sending prayers and white light for strength to you and Carrier.

Sending prayers for a brave girl. She is amazing, isn't she? And prayers for her brave Mom too.

I hate hearing of another of our precious dogs dealing with cancer. And I'm so sorry you received this devastating news, and had to make a life and death decision with so little time to prepare yourself emotionally. Of course, we're never really prepared, but this is awful. But what a strong, brave girl she is. She wants to be here. I hope you have many, many more happy times together.

Oh, I'm so sorry you've lost your precious boy. Cancer is a monster. I know your pain is so great right now. Maybe AJ is picking up on that, as well as being confused and missing his brother. I have a feeling that when you are able to smile again, he will feel better too.

Thank-you for sharing Foxy's story, though it brought tears to my eyes. How you loved each other! It seems so unfair that he was young, and you didn't have more time together. And the loss is doubly hard because it was so sudden. But just imagine if he hadn't found you---you filled his life with love and comfort and security. "If we measure lives not in time, but in grace, in the joy with which they are lived, and in the love they leave behind, then we have much to learn from our Greyhounds."

Oh, no! I'm so sorry you've lost your precious boy.

Oh, no. That is such a difficult loss, when you're not expecting it, and she had just started her new life... Much sympathy to her family.

Janet, I would love it if you wanted to use it. Thank-you!

Oh, she was beautiful! I'm so sorry you lost your sweet girl.

Running With The Queen---For Winnie In the world of Greyhound racing, she was beauty, fast and proud, but her world was lived in solitude inside a noisy crowd. She lacked the missing puzzle piece, the one that made her whole. It waited past the finish line, an elusive, hidden goal. So she searched within her silence, till fate showed her the way. We knew that when our eyes met, the Queen was home to stay. I felt I'd beat the greatest odds when Winnie came along. Fate smiled unexpectedly, and brought a love so strong. She settled in, and took her place, and made it clearly known that she was canine royalty, an heiress to the throne. When I first saw her run for joy, I felt my spirits soar. We shared both love and freedom-- how could we ask for more? Whatever trouble marred my day, the clouds were all washed clean. I felt I'd seen a miracle-- I was running with a Queen! You'll never run to please a crowd, I promised her that day. No stranger's hands, no cages, love never runs away. But cancer is a traitor that lets us dream our dreams, then takes them from us suddenly, and our hearts will break, it seems. But for years she fought that monster, and beat it at it's game. In Heaven's book of heroes, you will find Queen Winnie's name. As a brave and patient tripod, she inspired me to do more. She faced her life on three legs with the courage at her core. But the strongest heart grows weary, though we know how hard she tried. Yet it never killed her spirit. I'll let nothing steal her pride. And so I set her free today, to run in fields of gold, with those who've gone before her-- The Queen is here, they're told. A more joyous celebration my Winnie's never seen, as friends and family gather round, to go running with the Queen. Nancy Hanson Queen Winnifred Grace (Sudden Wink) 11-23-95----10-1-07

Thank-you so much to everyone for your kind words. It truly helps, because I know that you understand. And I think it would please her to know that she was such an inspiration. Of course, she would probably just feel that she did what she had to do. Janet, thanks for linking to her story. I somehow can't post pictures here, and now everyone can see how beautiful she was. Oh, Chrissy, I thought of Gino yesterday, when I looked into Winnie's eyes. Though they certainly never would be flashy about it, they are truly Rainbow Bridge royalty. Miss you---wish you were coming to Dewey too! I'll post Winnie's poem in a separate thread. It's kinda long, but she deserves it Nancy

I know many of you had met Winnie, or knew of her, or read her story on the Hope For Hounds website. I will post the poem I wrote for her in Remembrance, but I just wanted to say that we let our precious girl go last night. She would have been 12 years old on Nov. 23, and she survived 3 years and 2 months after her amputation for osteo. I think that is something of a record, and I think the Queen would want to make sure that she was remembered for that. And she would want you to know that she beat the monster. Through love and luck and stubbornness, doing the amputation, and keeping her on the artemisinin and other immune system boosters, it wasn't the cancer that took her from us. For weeks, she had been slowing down, not eating as well, not eager to go for car rides or walks---all of these things had been VERY important to Winnie. Last week, the vet put her on antibiotics for her teeth, which were really bad again, even after 2 dentals, and the meds seemed to perk her up. On Friday, she was zooming in the yard, and I could only shake my head in amazement and admiration. We thought we'd be facing another dental after we got back from Dewey. But on Saturday, she couldn't do our steps. These are the 23 outside steps to get into our big old house. We rent the first floor, and live on the second and third. And for 3 years, 4 or 5 times a day, Winnie has gone up and down those steps like a trooper. On Saturday night, I had to carry her, and it almost did both of us in. And on Sunday, my husband brought her up and down using the sling. But it scared her, and I know it hurt her. She didn't want to go outside because she knew she would have to brave those steps. We don't really know how long it had hurt or had been more difficult for her because she was never one to let us know. She just did what she had to do because that's the way she was. But on Sunday, she stopped eating even the steak and chicken and hamburger that I'd been hand feeding her. Yesterday, her bloodwork showed that she was in kidney failure, and the vet could not give us a positive prognosis. The timing was the pits---we leave for Dewey tomorrow. She could have stayed in the hospital on IV fluids while we were gone (or even if we stayed home), but we just felt that it would be unbearable for all of us if she was by herself in the hospital during her last time with us. She got a whole bag of fluids, and we went home to wait for her Dad, and to make our decision. Laying in the grass on a beautiful day, she looked at me and told me she was so very tired, and that she was ready to go. Last year at Dewey, she had pulled me down the street, across the beach, and into every doorway. And this year, I think she knew she just couldn't do that. Being the true royalty that she was, she wouldn't have wanted to appear less than Queenly to her many friends and admirers. So, even though it will be hard, we'll go and celebrate her brave spirit, in a place where she was so happy, with 3,000 other Greyhounds. As I read of so many other precious Greys dealing with cancer, I can only say that my heart aches for you, and to do what you know in your heart is best for your dog. Winnie chose to fight, and we chose to join and support that battle. And she won.

Oh, the sweet little old lady....how she was loved. Your tribute was lovely, and that last picture especially brought tears to my eyes. There may be a new "social director" at the Bridge.

Shelby, of course it's hard to be calm! I'm sitting here thinking that I would be feeling the exact same way. When you're dealing with osteo, and they only have 3 legs, anything having to do with the remaining legs scares you to death. I'll keep your sweet Deuce in my prayers, and hope that this is not something serious. Please let us know how he's doing. Nancy P.S. Winnie sends telepathic "be well, keep strong" thoughts.

That was a really beautiful tribute. It made me smile even while I had tears in my eyes. She sounds like such a unique and joyful soul, and I'm so sorry you didn't get to have her with you for a much longer time.

Our first Greyhound, Lacey had several bouts with vestibular disease, when she was about the same age. The symptoms were just as you described. The first time, it freaked us out because we'd just put our little pit bull to sleep because of an apparent stroke, and we thought maybe they had gotten into something. But our vet knew what it was. I know the episodes vary in length and severity, with some dogs having related problems because of their inability to eat or to keep food down because of the vertigo. Then support fluids would be recommended. But Lacey's never progressed that far, only lasting a few hours at a time. When we put her to sleep several years later, it was due to osteo, not anything related to the vestibular disease. It is called ideopathic because they are not sure exactly what causes it (or specific treatment), only that dogs of a certain age are more prone to it. I would try not to worry too much unless she develops other symptoms, because it may not progress, as you are afraid of.

Winnie just gets 1 pill a day, and she weighs about 65 pounds. I have heard different things about when to give it, with food and without. I kinda split the difference and give it to her about an hour after dinner. I friend read that you should do 5 days on and 2 days off, and I started doing that. She's been on it 3 years now, so I guess I'm doing something right! We use the glucosamine chondroitan MSM. I also give her pycnogenol, another immune system booster, that I get at Vitamin World, in the morning. And I'm a firm believer in fish oil. She gets it, DH and I take it too. Keep up your good work---you've been doing great.

Sending prayers out to your sweet Deuce. I'm glad you are keeping up with the artemisinin. And he is at the best place possible at OSU. Hugs from me, and nose kisses from Queen Winnie

Hi Winslow, this is Queen Winnie's Mom. I just wanted to share with your many fans, the sweetest note I got from your Mom. When I posted on Circle of Grey a few weeks ago that Winnie just celebrated the 3 year anniversary of her amputation, your Mom told me that Winnie had been an inspiration after your diagnosis, and throughout your treatment. I can't tell you how great that made me feel to know that Winnie's grace and courage had brought hope and comfort to another family when they were dealing with the Monster. Yes, Winnie has made it 3 years after her osteo diagnosis, and we just came back from Grapehounds, where we had a wonderful time. I had bid on your Mom's exquisite painting Oatlands, but while we were away, the auction closed. I know Hope For Hounds is going to be sending a lot of money to Dr. Couto. At Grapehounds, Winnie got to meet Janet, who does all that wonderful work. She made Winnie a beautiful necklace of pearls and pink stones, and took her picture. What an honor it was to meet her, and Winnie will wear her necklace proudly. We hope someday to meet you and your Mom and Miss Diane, to thank them for being an inspiration to so many others. Nancy P.S. Winnie does paintings too! But she does them with her front paw. She used to paint more, but since the amputation, she's decided she's not so enamoured of the creative process! But she will paint little paintings for a good cause. Like Winslow, she'd like to help raise money so other Greyhounds can live longer, healthier lives.