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.