Leah 08-036

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At a Glance #08-036

Golden Retriever	Born: January 1997
Female	Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

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Updates

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Leah has crossed the rainbow bridge.  It is really hard to write this and realize this is for real. My heart feels heavy and empty at the same time and I keep thinking she will walk up to me any minute and push her nose on the keyboard. But the stark reality is that I will have to wait for that to happen - I know we will meet someday; I know I will always feel her nose pushing the keys on my laptop as I type...it's just that I cannot see her. My sweet doll-face Leah princess! She taught us to be persistent and not to let a few set backs effect our zeal for life. She taught us that it was ok for a girl to eat a whole loaf of bread for a after dinner snack - I swear she said 'carbs make u happy mom so chill out'!!!! She taught us to believe in second chances and make the most of what we have NOW.

I will never forget the happy look on her face the day I picked her up from the pound. She smelled like she needed more than one bath to get the smell of the outdoors out of her, she looked like she was a bag of bones, her back legs could barely get her into the car....but she had a huge smile on her face when she saw me, and her tail would not stop wagging - the circle wag that told me she was happy to see me then and happy to see me every time after. I will always have that picture of her engraved in my head, not forgetting all the other great and happy memories she gave us for the few short months we had her. Yes she taught us a lot and she will be missed dearly.  it's the cycle of life and we shall meet again.

Leah took a turn for the worse late last week, and it was downhill from there on. Her platelet count was 1/2 of the normal; her spleen 4-5 time normal and her protein count almost 2 times the normal. It was just a matter of time. We were still willing to take a chance and hope that her spunk and resilience would overcome her prognosis. But when she spent the whole night panting and uncomfortable - inspite of the morphine, and when she had drops of blood coming out of her mouth - the sad look in her eyes told me it was time to let her go. She wanted to be happy and pain free; She wanted to run the green meadows and rolling hills, and swim in the clear cold lakes and not feel any pain. I know she loved the ice cream cone she ate on her way to the vet, and she loved that Jedi stuck to her all night last night and all through the day today - though she would not let him eat her cottage cheese this morning...the definite growl of the no-nonsense female :)   I hope and pray we did the right thing by her and helped her get to her happy place. I hope and pray we gave her a great life - even if her stay with us was short.

I know Leah would like to thank RAGOM for giving her a second chance at life. She would also want to thank her sponsors Stefanie & Scott Klein. She would give her vet Dr Silverstien and his team at the Heritage animal hospital a huge golden hug and kiss for taking such great care of her health and giving her the happy days she had with us.

May her Golden soul rest in peace!!!

Here are a few happy pics of Princess Leah from our memory bank.

Enjoying her personal pool

Nap time with Jedi

Sharing a few wise words

Time for a ride

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Hiya everyone!!!! It's me Leah. Hope you guys remember me it has been soooooo long since I got out here to do my last update. I am ashamed to admit, but I got so caught up in the daily hussle of summer life. So before I get too caught up again in my write up, I would like to send a huge thank you and a big sloppy kiss to my sponsors Scott & Stefanie Klein. FM says you guys are doing a wonderful job helping RAGOM take care of me, so I am greatful & would like to say a pretty thank you for all you do for me:) Well hope you guys got me see the pics Devon took at the picnic, you will see that I am having a jolly good time and loving life.

So lets do a little recap of my extra busy summer so far - first we had the memorial day weekend when FM & FD spend days doing spring cleaning, so I was out there helping - weeding the yard, raking, mowing and then I had to come in and help FM clean up the inside, let me tell you I was EXAUSTED!!!! Then we had the big week where FD's young nephew came to visit & stayed with us for a week - man are kids a drain on your energy. They are fun to play with too, but when they start following you all over the place and want to play all the time - whew!!! I had a lot of fun playing hide and seek brat the last few days ;) I tried to lay low, but he would come find me and tempt me to play. FM says I was so pooped out by the time the visitors left I did not move from my 'resting' spot for a day - took eating & potty breaks, but that was it. I think she is stretching the truth a little, but I guess I was tired...too much fun and play can do that to you sometimes. I hope he comes and visits again - should be fun!

Then there was the wonderful RAGOM picnic last week. Oh that was sooooooo much fun as well!!!! I got to run off leash on this wonderful trail and jump into ponds and take a swim with a bunch of other puppers. And the icing on the cake....I found this wonderfully stinky-sticky stuff to roll in - of was that divine!!! (OK I'll admit Chaz found it first,and let me share - so thanx Chaz!!!) Oh and yes, I need to remember to get my new mug shot from Devon - she took such pretty pics of me. FM calls me doll face - I know being humble is a virtue, but sometimes you got to toot your own horn ( I heard FM say that when she was writing her review earlier this year - so I guess it's OK to do so sometimes)

I also got to go work at the RAGOM booth at the Pride today. Whew!!!! that was exausting! I got so tired of being petted - can u believe it...never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get tired of getting pets and rubs, but today was the day. I had a lot of fun meeting all those wonderful folks who came over to say hello and pet all of us puppers. It was fun and tiring. FM says I got snarly towards the end there, I think I was just pooped out and wanted to go home.

So anyways as you guys can tell I have had a really busy summer so far - making excuses I know!!! I also think the meds are working wonders for me. I feel full of energy and there is a spring in my step - life is great!

Before I get going (need to get some dinner and then rest my old bones after that exausting morning) here are some pics from my fun wonderful summer...enjoy!!!
I promise to get some more pics and updates outthere sooner next time - no more lazing around all day! TTUL!

Siesta time with the ever-ready kid

Maybe I can help mom with her lunch!

At PRIDE with foster mom

Oh life is good!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Hi everyone. How r things going. Hope you guys are enjoying the nice weather out there. It's not too hot and not too cold - just perfect for someone like me. Well since I am on Pretenozone, I don't like it when it gets too hot, so mom says she might get me a little kiddie pool in the back yard this summer to lounge in and stay cool between play times. FD is not too sure, apparently Jedi tore the last one they had out there, and so I have to convince him that I will not do the same. That should be real easy - a few sweet kisses and a big round eyed look that pierces his soul, and he'll be putty in my hands. He He He!!! What can I tell you I know all the golden tricks. And if sweet talk does not work, I can always sulk - Jedi can teach me how to do that since he is the subject matter expert at that. Well rest assured I shall send out a few pics on my cool pool in a few weeks here, so don't be jealous! Also, I go back to the vet this week, and who knows maybe my results come back good enough so we can cut back on the panting drug (pretnezone) - but I think I want the pool anyways;)

I have been having a good time the last few weeks, but then what's new, I am a fun loving girl! I love to play ball and I drop so nicely for FM too, she loves it. FD I am not too sure about. I think he might not give me the ball back, so sometimes I just walk away with it...that's a game too right??? Well it sure is - I just made it one;)

I got to go to the lake the last few weekends - it was so beautiful outside, that FM decided I should go out for a little walk. I loved it!!! loved it!!!! It was so much fun - see pics below. I got to take a dip in the cool waters and go on a short walk. I got a little pooped out after a while, so FM and I sat by the shore and watched people walk by. That was so much fun too - people came by and said hello to me and commented on what a pretty girl I am - oh the wonderful sweet talk of humans - FM says I looks like a cat that just got all the cream!!! well yeah!!! isn't that how pretty girls are supposed to look smug!!! Then there was this off leash dog that came over, I was not happy that he tried to jump on me so I told him off, and made sure FM was safe and protected. So fun and work all in a days work - I pulled it off!!!! I think FM had a great time too - it was a good mother's day gift don't you think?

Well I hope you guys had a great mothers day too and thanked your mom's for all the care they take to make sure we are all safe and sound. Scott & Stefanie Klein - my sponsors, I hope you guys had a great mother's day too. So to everyone at RAGOM and to my wonderful sponsors and my great medical team at Heritage animal hospital (I think I like to call them that - make's me feel like a princess!!) - I send you all lots of hugs and kisses for taking care of me and making sure I have a wonderful life going forward.

OK Ciao now - before I start tearing up. TTUL Leah!

Taking a dip in the cold water

People-watching at the lakes

Oh that was so much fun, we should do it again!

Relaxing after the walk

Monday, April 28, 2008

Hello everyone. It's me Leah. I know I have been out of touch for a while now. Sorry, FM's lazy bug got me too;) First let me thank my wonderful sponsors Scott & Stefanie Klein for taking care of me. I am absolutely luck to have both RAGOM and the Klein's taking such wonderful care of me. My last test results came back better than before, and the vet say by RBC & WBC counts are way better than before, and my protien levels are getting better too - so the meds are working and I am feeling better by the day:) So thanks to everyone at the Heritage Animal hospital in MG for taking such good care of me. Hope you can hear my tail wagging in circles and feel the wet sloppy kisses as I thank you for getting me on the right track and felling so much better and happier.

OK now down to business. Did you guys see the snow out there!!!! What on earth is going on???!!! It almost May weatherman!! I want some sun to soak and green grass on roll on! Well I guess we got that little tease earlier last week - three beautiful days of sun and fun. I sat out on the porch with FM while Jedi went out for a run - who wants runs when you can lounge around and watch the kids play and the cars go by (see attached pic), I don't get all the hype about excercising.

Life has been good. Jedi had a Birthday earlier this month. It was a fun day...we had a doggie party in the backyard that day and I got to meet the neighbourhood dogs. Max was really fun to play with - he likes to fetch just like me. Mac the spaniel was a little shy, I think he was kinda intimidated by all us big kids. Christi & Robbie came over to say hello and brought some toys for us. FM thinks the indestructable glow in the dark ball is amazing (eye roll!). I think it's annoying that I cannot shred it and see what's inside, but I promise to keep trying...watch for an update next time;) Oh btw, did I tell you the cake mommy made for Jedi was soooo yummy. I got a taste of it while it was cooling on the counter..I know I gave in to temptation again, not good. Well I am trying to behave and stay off the counter now.

Nothing else going on lately - with all the rain & snow out there FM thinks the best thing to do is to groom us, so I got spiffed up today, and then we went out for a drive and bought some yummy treats. I let FM clip my nails - no problem, you should have seen Jedi's face when FM said I was the best girl ever (Jedi hates getting his nails clipped, so FM has to come up with a new trick everytime, and it's not a fun time for anyone). He was so Jealous...I swear he turned green ;p Well I better get going, it's time for the last trip to the loo and then some beauty sleep.

Once again than you RAGOM for taking such good care of me. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

TTYL. Leah.

Lounging on the porch

Oh, the smell of clean sheets!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Hello everyone, it's me Leah. Foster Mom said I could get out here and write my own update today. Well a lot has happened in my life in the last few weeks....some good and some not so good. After a whole lot of visits to the vet and a whole bunch of tests and consultations, I have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma:( not the best news, but the way I look at it, now that the vet knows what's wrong with me, the vet can treat me, and I have a good chance of getting better and leading a wonderful and happy life.
I have to thank RAGOM for giving me a second chance and for taking such great care of me. I would also like to thank my wonderful sponsors Scott & Stefanie Klein.

Well besides all the medical stuff my life has been quite exciting in the last few weeks. I have a new house mate - Jedi; who lets me share his toys and eat his food;)...FM says I need to work on waiting for my food and stay out of Jedi's, but I think it's more fun to eat his food, and I swear it tastes different in his dish anyways. I also went to the pet expo this past weekend; my first outing in a while...I loved it!!!! it was so much fun meeting all the wonderful RAGOM folks - both human & furry ones, and all the people who stopped by to say hello and scratch my ears:)

OK that's it from me for a while. In the meantime I need to stay on my meds and go back for regular tests that will help the vet figure out my prognosis....keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

PS: I would like to thank my vet Dr Silverstien at the Heritage animal Hospital in Maple Grove for taking such great care of me and for working so hard on my diagnosis.