My Suki Passed, The Love Remains...
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 9:09 am
Suki, Rest in Peace 4-16-16
Suki found me just about 15 years ago. I had written an obituary for my last Chow on the old site and someone contacted me with her after about three months from my last loss. When we got Sue in Arrowhead Ca. her name was "Little Girl in Light Pink" because she was identified in the litter with a light pink collar.
Like all Chows, she was a cute puppy; I took her everywhere with me so people could hold her. I remember I had just bought a new truck and had to go for a three hour drive, it wasn't her first car ride but it was early; poor baby threw up in the back. After that I propped her up so she could see and gave her more air and it was fine. We had a mountain cabin at the time, Sue had a little cubby under the bathroom sink, she liked to stay in there. I remember once watching her stare out the sliding door and me opening it for her; she wouldn't go out. Later I found out a mountain lion had been spotted.
Suki has always been great house dog, she had the run of the place and would lay down wherever I was. I Work at home. My favorite instance was when my daily audience of one would sit and listen to my guitar practice. if I could take her with me she went; If I go to get a burger, she gets a burger patty, If I go to play guitar at the pier, she goes with me. She knew the routine; when it was time for breakfast and lunch, time for the daily 3 mile walk on the beach, or to go to the gardens if in the city, time for bed right next to us, road trip, hotel, you name it.
The evening she passed was hard but not too emotional because she was done and told me so. We had found cancer in her mouth about four months before when she got an infection. I was able to keep her very happy for those four months with antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs. The cancer was advanced like her age so I spared her the agony of surgery and treatment. The last day the new stronger pain meds stopped working and she really didn't like them anyway. Sue and I loved each other and both held on as long as we could. Those last four months were amazing; I knew it was over and made the best of it. For most of it she was able to do her complete walk. I was able to keep her eating till the very end. She was beautiful to the very end; children and young people especially loved her. The quality was high and didn't really slip until the last week when clearly it had moved deeper.
I am so proud to have kept up my side of the bargain yet one more time (Sue is my third Chow, rest in peace Bear and Sheba). I had her for life starting at six weeks. My wife and I made her every meal which we cooked in the Crock Pot once a week (chicken or beef with brown rice). She got the run of the house and yard (those puffs of undercoat you find everywhere are good for picking up dust as you scoop them up). I bathed and brushed her regularly. I brushed her teeth but unfortunately didn't pay close enough attention to her breath and didn't look deep enough in her mouth. We were there for each other and added so much meaning to our lives. We protected each other unconditionally. Hot spots, ear hematoma, minor problems, bathing and hygiene I took care of myself. She hated the vet so I tried to keep her out of there. I remember once when she kicked a raccoons butt; I cleaned up her cuts and took her to the vet, he gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way without even touching her. She never bit me or anyone else; this was amazing to me because I knew some of the care had to hurt. I believe she trusted me because I had made sure to start the care when she was a puppy before she needed it; mouth, ears, eyes, etc. She had my complete respect. I talked to her softly and never scolded, i just led her and she wanted to please. She would lie in the hall or doorway frequently; I always said "excuse me Sue" in a sweet voice. She never spent a minute in a cage or kennel. Its amazing how beautiful the partnership can be. When Sue was a youngster my wife and daughter would play a game with her, they would say "where's your baby" and Sue would fetch a little stuffed animal.
What great memories I have. Even though I feel quite a bit of pain now there is no question that it is worth it. I pray that can grieve in a way that truly honors her spirit and not my selfish feelings of loss. Chow Chow is honor, composure, respect, nobility and loyalty. All they require is what they deserve; everything i've got. The last two days I've woken up howling with tears, it will get better as time passes. Today the pictures on this site set it off; when I look at them I can really feel their personalities, what beauty. I hope I've placed this post properly and that it helps someone. Thank You for listening, I needed to do this for us!
Suki found me just about 15 years ago. I had written an obituary for my last Chow on the old site and someone contacted me with her after about three months from my last loss. When we got Sue in Arrowhead Ca. her name was "Little Girl in Light Pink" because she was identified in the litter with a light pink collar.
Like all Chows, she was a cute puppy; I took her everywhere with me so people could hold her. I remember I had just bought a new truck and had to go for a three hour drive, it wasn't her first car ride but it was early; poor baby threw up in the back. After that I propped her up so she could see and gave her more air and it was fine. We had a mountain cabin at the time, Sue had a little cubby under the bathroom sink, she liked to stay in there. I remember once watching her stare out the sliding door and me opening it for her; she wouldn't go out. Later I found out a mountain lion had been spotted.
Suki has always been great house dog, she had the run of the place and would lay down wherever I was. I Work at home. My favorite instance was when my daily audience of one would sit and listen to my guitar practice. if I could take her with me she went; If I go to get a burger, she gets a burger patty, If I go to play guitar at the pier, she goes with me. She knew the routine; when it was time for breakfast and lunch, time for the daily 3 mile walk on the beach, or to go to the gardens if in the city, time for bed right next to us, road trip, hotel, you name it.
The evening she passed was hard but not too emotional because she was done and told me so. We had found cancer in her mouth about four months before when she got an infection. I was able to keep her very happy for those four months with antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs. The cancer was advanced like her age so I spared her the agony of surgery and treatment. The last day the new stronger pain meds stopped working and she really didn't like them anyway. Sue and I loved each other and both held on as long as we could. Those last four months were amazing; I knew it was over and made the best of it. For most of it she was able to do her complete walk. I was able to keep her eating till the very end. She was beautiful to the very end; children and young people especially loved her. The quality was high and didn't really slip until the last week when clearly it had moved deeper.
I am so proud to have kept up my side of the bargain yet one more time (Sue is my third Chow, rest in peace Bear and Sheba). I had her for life starting at six weeks. My wife and I made her every meal which we cooked in the Crock Pot once a week (chicken or beef with brown rice). She got the run of the house and yard (those puffs of undercoat you find everywhere are good for picking up dust as you scoop them up). I bathed and brushed her regularly. I brushed her teeth but unfortunately didn't pay close enough attention to her breath and didn't look deep enough in her mouth. We were there for each other and added so much meaning to our lives. We protected each other unconditionally. Hot spots, ear hematoma, minor problems, bathing and hygiene I took care of myself. She hated the vet so I tried to keep her out of there. I remember once when she kicked a raccoons butt; I cleaned up her cuts and took her to the vet, he gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way without even touching her. She never bit me or anyone else; this was amazing to me because I knew some of the care had to hurt. I believe she trusted me because I had made sure to start the care when she was a puppy before she needed it; mouth, ears, eyes, etc. She had my complete respect. I talked to her softly and never scolded, i just led her and she wanted to please. She would lie in the hall or doorway frequently; I always said "excuse me Sue" in a sweet voice. She never spent a minute in a cage or kennel. Its amazing how beautiful the partnership can be. When Sue was a youngster my wife and daughter would play a game with her, they would say "where's your baby" and Sue would fetch a little stuffed animal.
What great memories I have. Even though I feel quite a bit of pain now there is no question that it is worth it. I pray that can grieve in a way that truly honors her spirit and not my selfish feelings of loss. Chow Chow is honor, composure, respect, nobility and loyalty. All they require is what they deserve; everything i've got. The last two days I've woken up howling with tears, it will get better as time passes. Today the pictures on this site set it off; when I look at them I can really feel their personalities, what beauty. I hope I've placed this post properly and that it helps someone. Thank You for listening, I needed to do this for us!