A Photo Tribute to Casey, our good friend

We hope you enjoy the pictures of Casey's life. Casey has touched the lives of so many people. It was difficult to select a limited number of photos. Going through the pictures brought smiles, laughter and tears. Thank you to our niece, Shelby, for helping to select the photos to use.

Our Dude is now gone, but he lives in our hearts and in my computer. He made many friends effortlessly. With a warm smile, a gentle twinkle in his eye, he could melt the most stubborn of hearts.

Casey, we love and miss you. You will be in our hearts forever.

Love,

Tim and Pat

In Memory Of...

Casey
April 5, 1995 - June 9, 2006

On Friday afternoon, June 9th, it was with great sadness that we decided it was time to help Casey move out of this life and into his next one.

His condition deteriorated rapidly after Wednesday. On Thursday, he didn't move around much at all. He got up to eat, go to the bathroom and go for his last Rodale visit. We both slept downstairs with him Thursday night. He seemed uncomfortable because he moved around a lot. His breathing became more labored. On Friday morning, the swelling in his head was unbelievable. We had never seen it like this before. He could hardly open his eyes. With a lot of coaxing and work, Tim did manage to get him into the car to take him for a ride. He didn't get up to look at the horse and ducks like he always did. And, when they came back, he didn't eat all his breakfast (first time). According to Tim, his breathing became more labored as the morning went on. Again, at lunchtime, he coaxed him to eat and to go outside. Tim called me at work around 1:00 and told me how bad it was getting. He then called Anita Curtis, who confirmed our thoughts that Casey was ready to move on. She said it was hard for him to breathe, and that he had a pounding headache and didn't want to open his eyes because of the brightness. I came home, and Casey did get up to greet me at the door. He managed a smile and wagging tail, but he laid back down again. Tim arranged for Dr. Cummings to come to our house after his last office appointment. Casey began breathing really hard. It was obviously difficult for him to breathe, and I told Tim that we couldn't let him breathe like this for several more hours until Dr. C would get here. We would have liked him to be at home when it happened, but we couldn't watch him struggle to breathe any longer, so we took him to the vet. When we asked Casey if he wanted to go to Dr. Cummings to help him, he got right up and managed to walk out to our patio. From that point, Tim had to carry him to the car. We were both with Casey when he passed into his new life. It was difficult, but it was also a relief to know that he now felt good again.

We all miss him terribly. Tim and I go to do usual things like give him his meals, pills, take him outside and realize we don't have to. We always took him with us as much as we could when we went away, and it was routine for me to move my seat front, so he would have room to step down on the back floor to get out of the car. Each time we have been in the car, I have gone to move my seat front for him to get out. It's those times that are difficult. Tigger and Roo are both showing subtle signs that someone is missing. They are both skittish when we come in the door or when they hear noises. Their alert system is gone. They knew Casey's different barks which told them when it was just us coming or when it was someone else. Tigger and Roo were not themselves for about the past week or so. Tigger was not eating well, and Roo who is usually inactive, was running around like a nut. After we came home Friday without Casey, Tigger ate all her dinner, and Roo hasn't been running around anymore. Roo, whose inflammatory bowel disease is triggered by stress, has started acting up again this morning. It had been under control for quite a while.

We want to thank everyone who affected Casey's life in some way. We can't name everyone but wish to thank some very special people:

Dr. Donna, thank you for taking care of Casey in many ways. You helped him with his skeletal and muscular problems over the years, and helped him feel better from his symptoms of the tumor with your energy work. Casey loved you, not only as a person who made his body feel better, but as a friend too. It was obvious by the excitement he showed each time we told him he was going to see you. We are grateful to you for everything you did for him and for all the occasions you made time to fit him into your schedule in these last months. Thank you, also, for recommending Dr. Cummings to us.

Thank you, Dr. Cummings, for taking care of Casey the second half of his life. Dr. C, you are an exceptional person, whom we are so grateful to have met and have taking care of our pets. Without you, Casey would not have lived as long as he did. You not only have an incredible amount of knowledge, but you truly love what you do. You have always been so compassionate whenever you had to deliver sad news and again in Casey's final minutes. Words cannot express our gratitude to you.

Anita Curtis, thank you for helping us to communicate with Casey. You have an incredible talent that is priceless. Without you, we would not have known some of the times when Casey had pain or was uncomfortable because he didn't show it. You also offered us advice on several occasions, which we appreciate. And, when Casey began having pressure from the weight of the fluid he was carrying, you told us about Chris Treml who could possibly help him.

Chris Treml, thank you so much for helping Casey get some relief and energy over the past two months. You gave him more quality to his life during this period and also helped us communicate with him regularly.

Thank you to all the people who have cared about and prayed for Casey and us during his battle. We met and became closer with many people because of Casey. We appreciate your love and support. It made going through this a little easier. Thank you also, to everyone who stayed with Casey when we didn't want to leave him alone, to everyone who wanted to see him (he wanted to see you just as much), and to everyone who did little things to brighten his life. How many dogs have a birthday party thrown for them by someone other than their owners? We are grateful to all of you.

Casey, you have brought so much joy to our lives. You were our protector, our teacher, and the most loyal and loving friend. You were a true fighter through your illness and you showed everyone who met you how to cope with sickness. You put on that happy face to the end. I never really liked dogs before I met you. It's amazing how you opened my heart in so many ways. You could always cheer me up when no one else could. You taught me to look at things differently and taught me things about myself that I didn't even know. Your life was way too short. I'm sure there was more you could have taught all of us. We miss you. You will be in our hearts forever.

Love,

Tim, Pat, Tigger and Roo

We are compiling pictures of Casey to do "his life in pictures". We hope to have it on the site by the end of the week. Please check back.

Another road trip....

This album is powered by
BubbleShare
- Add to my blog

There are two posts for today. Check out the next one also.

I am getting more tired each day, and it's getting harder to breathe. I don't sleep upstairs anymore. I do go in the basement to be with dad, but going back up the steps is really hard. I go a couple steps and then rest. It's really tiring until I reach the top. Dad is going to have to start carrying me up the steps from now on. I'm still eating, but things aren't moving out of my system like they should be.

On Tuesday afternoon, we went to see Dr. Donna. She said she didn't like the smell of my breath. That told her that things were not flowing through my intestines as they should. She did some work to try to open it, and it would open a bit more, but she couldn't get it to stay open. She said it will cause toxins to start backing up into my organs. We weren’t scheduled to see Dr. Cummings, but he had someone tell mom and dad that he didn't think it would be long until I pass on based on the symptoms told to him. I feel at ease with this now because mom and dad have started looking for a puppy.

Today we went to another breeder. It was Golden Acres, and the breeder is Sandy Lutcza. It was in Dingmans Ferry which is 1 1/2 hours north of where we live. It was cool again, but it was raining most of the trip. We saw mountains again, but they weren't as big as the ones we saw on Saturday. I didn't get out of the car at this place. Mom and dad went inside to see these puppies. They said there were 10 of them. They brought one out to the car for me to see. It was a female. I didn't show much interest, so mom and dad are trying to figure out what I thought. I tried to tell them I didn't want to scare her. Check out the pictures of the mom, Shiver, the dad, Nash, the puppies and mom smelling puppy breath for the first time. She didn't know me as a puppy so she never smelled puppy breath. After we left, mom and dad were trying to find a place where we wouldn't get wet to stop to feed me. We went to a car wash. That was fun! They used my ramp as a table for me to eat. Then dad had to take me to go potty. It was raining, and dad didn't bring a jacket so he put holes in a trash bag to make a poncho. He looked funny. We were supposed to stop at Rodale on the way back, but it was raining so we didn't. I think we're going there Thursday morning.

Since I don't know how long I'll feel like staying yet, I want to thank everyone who cares about me and has been praying for me. I've enjoyed meeting everyone. It lifted my spirits to see everyone, and it gave me more reason to stay as long as I possibly could. Thank you to my special friends at Rodale who wanted to see me at least once every week. I loved those visits and looked forward to them just like you did. I also want to thank Joey, Shelly, Shelby, Amanda, Donna and Grammy who all stayed with me at times when mom and dad had to go away. I was glad you stayed with me so I wasn't alone.

Life is short.
Cherish it.
Do what you want.
Treasure what you have.
And love who you want.

Love,
Casey

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." - Gene Hill

Trip to Amy Lawson on Saturday, June 3, 2006

This album is powered by
BubbleShare
- Add to my blog

In the last update, there weren't many details or any pictures about our trip on Saturday. We went to McConnellsburg which is about 3 hours west of Emmaus. It was a long trip, but we stopped two times along the way. I got out of the car and stretched and did my business. It was a beautiful drive. It was cloudy and cool which I loved. There were a lot of mountains. We went through three tunnels that go through mountains. They were the Tuscarora Mountain tunnel, the Kittatinny tunnel, and the Blue Mountain tunnel. Amy lives on top of a beautiful mountain, and she breeds goldens and horses too! I didn't get out of the car because there were a lot of goldens that came running and had too much energy for me. We saw five puppies. They brought them out by the car so I could see them. There was also one puppy who was still there from the last litter. He was 13 weeks old, and he was adopted, but hadn't been picked up yet. I was feeling pretty good because I love to go for rides and because mom and dad started searching for a puppy.

A tiring time.....

I'm sorry I haven't updated the website in a while. Things are getting more and more tiring for me. I don't go upstairs to bed with mom and dad anymore. One of them usually sleeps downstairs on the sofa to be with me.

Over the weekend, we went to visit a breeder to see puppies. I told mom and dad through Chris that they needed to start looking for a puppy because I wouldn't be here much longer, and they need to have a dog. Through Chris yesterday, I told mom and dad that I liked the lighter colored puppy, but mom and dad didn't know which one I meant because they didn't see a reaction from me when we were there. It was a long drive to get there, but I was happy, and the swelling in my face was really down. I didn't get out of the car when we were there though because those dogs had too much energy for me.

Yesterday, dad had to be away in the afternoon for work. Mom's mom stayed with me until mom came home from work. Grammy was worried about me. She just kept watching me. Mom came home early to be with me. She wanted to take me for a ride, but I didn't want to go. When she packed her lunch, I didn't even get up to go and have red peppers. She brought some to me though. I'm just so tired. After mom and dad had dinner, Donna stopped to see me for a few minutes. I managed enough energy for a short jog to go out back to meet her. Mom and dad told her it's the most energy they've seen from me in quite a while. She said it made her day. I'm glad when I make people happy because seeing people makes me happy too.

Love,
Casey

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace." - Milan Kundera

Another uncomfortable day....

Last night it was hard going up the steps to go to bed again. I stood looking at the bed knowing I can't get up there anymore, but I wish I could. Mom and dad were sad too because they could tell what I was thinking. This morning, the swelling was worse than it's been. There was even fluid on the top of my head, and it doesn't even leave my face anymore. Going down the steps was even hard. I didn't want to eat or even move around. Then dad asked if I wanted to go for a ride. That sounded good. But, getting into the car was hard too. I got my front legs onto the ramp, and then I just stood there. I had to get up enough energy to lift my back legs up. They're huge now too. It's tiring carrying all this extra weight. Even though the ride doesn't make the swelling go away like it used to, it makes me feel better. After we came back, I felt like eating then. It was an uncomfortable day, and the heat makes it worse. I got ice cubes throughout the day. They taste good when it's hot. And, I always get up enough energy to go and have red peppers when mom packs her lunch. Tomorrow I have a session with Chris. Maybe she can help me feel better.

Love,
Casey

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." - Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'

Memorial Weekend....

My swelling over the past several days continues to get worse. My face is swollen most of the time now, and there is more in my back legs, chest and belly area. Rides help it go down in my face a little bit, but the swelling doesn't stay down for long. I'm really tired too. When I go up the steps, I have to rest two times until I get to the top. But, mom and dad coax me to go up at night to sleep because it's cooler upstairs. It is so hot outside for me now.

On Saturday, my face was huge when we woke up because it didn't go down much Friday. Mom and dad and I went for a ride in the morning. We went to the farm again and saw the animals, and then we watched two horses. One of them kept running back and forth in the field. Then we found a creek and sat and listened to it and watched squirrels playing. Dad forgot to take the camera along, so we don't have any pictures. Saturday afternoon, mom and dad went away for a big part of the day. Mom's sister Shelly, her daughter Shelby, and Shelby's friend Amanda came to stay with me when they were gone. After they got here, Shelly was crying because it made her sad how my face looked. Shelby and Amanda brought dolls along to play with, and they fed me treats. Shelby held green beans in her mouth instead of giving them to me with her hand. She likes to do that. One of the neighbors called and told Shelly that a skunk was in their yard and was nose to nose with their dog and then was running after their kids. They wanted to warn us to be careful when we went outside. But, we didn't see any skunk when I had to go out. Mom and dad came home for a while and fed me, Tigger and Roo. Tigger didn't want to eat though. Then they had to go away again, and Donna stayed with me later. She was reading, and sometimes she read out loud to me. And, when it got cooler outside, we sat outside for a while, but then I heard gunshots from the gun club and I wanted to go inside. She gave me treats too. I missed mom and dad because they were gone, but I got lots of attention and treats from everybody who stayed with me.

On Sunday, mom and dad had lots of errands to run. They took me along, and we had the air conditioning on in the car. I sat up a lot while we were driving, and every time we stopped at a place, one of them stayed in the car with me. My face went down after that, but it swelled again a few hours after we got home.

Today I felt about the same. Dad was clipping my nails, and he cut one too short, and it was bleeding for a long time. Dad kept holding the styptic pads on, but it kept bleeding. Mom was really upset at first, then she calmed down. She then held the pads on and pushed harder and held my foot up the air. It finally started slowing down, and she got it to stop. Then she took wet cloths to clean the dried blood out of the fur on my foot. She was being so careful so she wouldn't bump the nail. They were afraid it would start bleeding again. After she was done, she laid her head down next to mine, and I was licking her face and hand. I don't usually do that to her. She started to cry then. She said she knew I was saying thank you. Dad went away in the afternoon to a picnic with his relatives, and mom stayed home with me. I was happy when he got home. I don't like it when he's not here. I feel better when everybody is at home.

Till next time...

Love,
Casey

A week of visits....

Things with me are about the same. My swelling seems to be slowly increasing. In the mornings now, I'm not very hungry when I wake up. They told dad that there is probably fluid around my belly so that's why I don't feel hungry. He gets me moving first, and that moves the fluid, so then I feel hungry. I don't go upstairs with mom and dad to bed every night anymore. Most days, I spend a lot of time just lying around, but I sometimes get little spurts of energy and want to play. I look forward to the great food I'm getting and the times when I get to see people.

On Tuesday, some of my friends from Rodale came to MY HOUSE to see me instead of me going to see them. The phone rang, and then dad told me we had to go outside because the girls from Rodale were coming to see me. I ran outside and waited in the alley for them to come. As soon as I saw the car, I was barking because I was so excited. When they got close enough, I could see it was Heather, Linette and Susan. They came into the yard with us. They said they didn't have any treats for me, so dad went inside to get some for them to give to me. They got to see Tigger and Roo at the door too.

Dad took me to Rodale on Thursday morning. A lot of people came out to see me. The usual people like Heather, Linette, Susan, Joanne, Melissa, and Ann were there. Andrea and Sharon came to see me again, and I met someone new -- Dennis who works in the mail room. Marian also came out to see me. Heather had red peppers for me again. I can always count on her to give me treats I love. And, Heather gave me a new ball too. She said it glows in the dark. I'll have to see tonight. Everybody was playing with me with my ball for a bit. I love all the attention everyone gives me. But then I heard a train coming, and I wanted to get back in the car. I don't like those loud noises. Soon after that, we came back home. Mom came home for lunch, and when she left to go back to work, I didn't feel like going outside to her car. It's getting hot for me, and it makes me really tired. When mom came home from work, my face was big again. She gave me ice cubes to chew and then some peanut butter in my bone. That was great, and it helped the swelling in my face go down a little bit. Now I'm just going to rest again.

I hope everyone has a nice, long weekend. Heather, you have a nice vacation next week.

Love,
Casey

Friday wasn't a good day. My face was swollen all day, and I was mopey. Mom and dad took me for a ride, and that didn't even help. I didn't even want to sit up and stick my nose out the window. I didn't even go upstairs to sleep Friday night. My back legs are retaining a lot of fluid now just like my front legs, and there's more in my belly too. It makes it hard to go up the steps.

Saturday morning my face was really huge because it didn't go down much Friday, and it grew bigger over night. In the afternoon, mom was in her garden and flower beds so I sat outside. My face got better, but I didn't have much energy. We all went for a ride later in the day, and I got a little more energy and was happier after that.

Today was another so-so day. I don't seem to have a lot of energy the past few days like I did in the middle of last week. Mom and dad are upset because they try to get me to play, and I don't want to. I understand that this is the natural progression of this disease. Not much else to say.

Love,
Casey

Rodale visit, but later scary thunderstorms....

Yesterday was an ok day. The morning started out good. After we all had breakfast, mom, dad and I went for a ride. They went into a building, and I could see them through the window. They wanted me to come in, but I didn't want to get out of the car. Then we went to see my friends at Rodale. Thank you, Heather, for having peppers for me again. You're swell! When we got back, mom and dad went away by themselves, but they told me they would be back for lunch. After lunch, mom was gone in the afternoon, and I was in the basement with dad while he worked. Then thunderstorms came. I don't like them. I was uneasy then. After dinner, mom and dad had to go away again. They're leaving me alone more than they were. I don't like being alone. I like to be with people. When they came back, my hips hurt, and it hurt when I walked. Mom was worried. She told dad I was walking funny. Dad said maybe I was stiff. Then they kept trying to get me to walk, and it did start to feel better.

This morning dad had to coax me to eat breakfast until we got to the good stuff in the can. My face is swollen again. I have had some pretty good days, so I have to expect that they won't all be good.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Love,
Casey