Shine's Passing

[Houndtime]

Several people have written and asked “what happened to Shine”?  It has been hard to put in writing.

The weekend before Memorial it appeared, to me, that she had a UTI.  For about two weeks before that she was acting peculiar.  She was very clingy, wanted lots of affection, and was not eating very well.  I felt I could not make a vet appointment because something was off and I did not know what.  Especially, now, when you can’t go in with your dog.

On that Monday, before the holiday, I called the vet and brought her in.  I sat for 2-1/2 hours in the parking lot because they squeezed us in.  She saw a vet that was not our regular vet.  They called me at my car twice.  First to say she had a little protein in her urine, and they were going to do senior blood work on her and she had lost 6 lbs since her last visit.  They also gave her a heartworm test.  Her blood work was excellent “for a greyhound”, I was told.  We left with a packet of antibiotics and asked to come back after she finishes the antibiotics with another urine sample for testing.

On Wednesday, again, she started acting peculiar.  On Thursday, she was sniffing everything that she would approach: toys, food, beds, etc.  Len said, it’s almost as if she can’t see.  Friday morning, she was totally blind.  Back to the vet and now she has high blood pressure.  Did she have high blood pressure on Monday and it was missed?  We leave with blood pressure medication, switched the antibiotics, a pain medication, a probiotic, and an anti inflammatory.   She was very bad on Saturday and we thought to put her down and then she rallied.  Sunday, she ate, and I walked her several times and it seemed she came around.  I tried to get her an appointment with a specialist, but, since it was the holiday, no one was around or on call.

Monday, she didn’t move.  She did eat her dinner.  When I took her out to walk, all she could do was circle, but she did her business.  At 11 PM, she began falling over, very hard.  So hard, she would tumble head first.  She could not hold herself up.  She was alive, but, she was gone.  I took her to the ER, my neighbor went with me, and it was very sad.

In one week, she was gone.  I don’t even know what or why. 

[oldrunners]

Oh, Irene and Len!  Is there anything worse than that late night car ride, when you know what the end will be?  And the ride home may be just as bad.  My heart truly weeps with yours.  I am sending you a cyber hug.  I hope you find peace and solace soon!

[ramonaghan]

Thank you for sharing this, and again I am so sorry. My heart breaks for you dealing with the sudden, inexplicable loss of your girl. I hope your happy memories of her will overcome the sad ones and bring you comfort in the coming days. Sending hugs for you and scritches for Odin. How is he doing?

[Houndtime]

24 minutes ago, ramonaghan said:

Thank you for sharing this, and again I am so sorry. My heart breaks for you dealing with the sudden, inexplicable loss of your girl. I hope your happy memories of her will overcome the sad ones and bring you comfort in the coming days. Sending hugs for you and scritches for Odin. How is he doing?

He seems ok.  Very subdued. 

[palmettobug]

Irene, I know what you are feeling now. Johnny went so suddenly and so young as well, just gone and no clear answers. We hope your sweet memories bring you comfort.

[FiveRoooooers]

Hugs and more hugs Irene, for you and Len and Odin. We are keeping you in our thoughts

[macoduck]

Thank you for sharing Shine's story. I know it had to be hard to write. 

Instead of Shine-ing on Earth, she will be Shine-ing among the heavens.

[tbhounds]

I’m sorry Irene...she may have had a brain tumor...circling and blindness is a tell tale sign.  I lost my beautiful Shannon to a brain tumor...I know how hard it is.

[Houndtime]

1 hour ago, macoduck said:

Thank you for sharing Shine's story. I know it had to be hard to write. 

Instead of Shine-ing on Earth, she will be Shine-ing among the heavens.

Love you Ducky.

[45MPHK9]

Irene, we do the best we can with the information we have at the time. And that is all any of us can do. Your beautiful girl is at peace now. She was so lucky to have you and Len.  

[greysmom]

I'm so sorry.  It's never easy, even when you know why.  I agree it sounds like a brain tumor though.  If that's the case you can know you did the right things for her and gave her all the love in the world.

{{{hugs}}}

[RaineysMom]

I am so very sorry  that sounds horrible to have to have gone through.  I know Shine knew how loved and cared for she was through it all.

 

 

[EllenEveBaz]

Horrible, especially the feelings of not knowing what to do for her.  Maybe this story will help someone in the future get a diagnosis.   

Shine was and is such a beautiful, beautiful girl.  Sending hugs to you and Len and Odin.  

[MP_the4pack]

Oh Irene,  how heartwrenching. 

 

Thanks for letting us know. 

[GreyPoopon]

Heartwrenching is the perfect word. It's incredibly hard to lose a dog to an unknown; it must be even harder when there are limitations on vet care.

I am desperately sorry.

ETA: I too wondered about a brain tumour. I lost Poppy in 24 hours to a suspected tumour. Her symptoms weren't the same as Shine's, but inexplicable sudden neurological symptoms always make me think of a tumour.

Edited June 7, 2020 by GreyPoopon