| Golden Retriever | Born: March 2007 |
| Female | 65 lbs |
Status: Deceased
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Sophie is at peace now. In fact, I've never seen her so at peace. She let me snuggle her in my lap while the wonderful vet gave the medication. With hugs, tears and kisses, we said 'goodbye, safe journey, little one'. She is running sure footed, head held high, happy and confident--free at last. |
Sophie seems to be slipping further into her own world. She gets up in the morning to go outside and does her business. Then she lays down and sleeps the day away. That gives me more snuggle time with her as she lets me touch her head and anywhere when she is sleepy. I give her massages. She doesn't eat in the morning anymore.
Then, around 4pm she wakes up-famished. She loves people food so she gets lots of little bits of cheese and whatever I am eating. She eats a couple of bowls of kibble in the evening. Then she goes on her evening tear throughout the house and yard--jumping and running. She seems so very happy during those times!
This will be the week Sophie joins Emmit and Brooklyn (RAGOM fosters lost this past week) and all of the other RAGOM dogs that are waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. I don't want her to deteriorate any further.
Sophie finally got a good soak in her swimming pool. Not only that, she loved being sprayed with the hose! That really surprised me since she is so sensitive to touch. She had a blast and her coat looks so much better--especially since she also loves to roll in the dirt!
I received a picture of Sophie as a puppy. She was (and is still) so adorable! This was taken by her adoptive family--who still adore her and are so sad. I am so appreciative that they thought of RAGOM for Sophie! I have kept in touch with them and I know they could not keep her with her unpredictable behavior with their children. They are mourning too.
I heard from Sophie's breeder that her brother Baxter was put to sleep a couple of days ago. He had a prolonged seizure and and got pretty banged up before she could get him outside in the yard. The vet came to her home and Baxter is at peace now. She is devastated at this tragic disease. Baxter's blood was drawn for future testing and research by the Golden Retriever Club of America.
A well respected vet says that we should err on the side of ending our dogs suffering too soon rather than too late. It is too hard to pick 'the right time'. It's soooo hard to know for Sophie! Most of every day is still very enjoyable for her. So it won't be today. And I won't let her suffer. That is all I know.
Miss Sophie continues to live a pretty happy life--romping and jumping in the backyard and then snoozing in a patch of sunshine. Yesterday I got the doggie pools out and she hopped in before I even turned the hose on! I had to put two pools out because she was always hogging one of them and the residents wanted a chance. It was so cute. Wish she would lie down in it because she could use a good soak.
She has had more frequent 'panic attacks'--usually set off by a noise or something unfamiliar that touches her face. She has also had a few seizure like episodes where her head uncontrollably jerks to the side and her mouth stretches open to bite at nothing. I can only reassure her with my voice since she will bite out if I touch her during one of these. Not out of aggression but out of her dementia.
Mostly though, her days are active and happy. I am thankful for that. Sophie would love to give personal kisses to the Goff's, Joanne and Dennis and Susannah for sponsoring her. And her foster mom would like to give hugs along with those kisses!
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Sophie had her neurology appointment at the U of MN Vet clinic last week and we did not get optimistic news. The neurologist believes she has one of the various 'storage diseases'. This is a genetic disorder where most often there is a deficiency of a particular enzyme needed for metabolic processes in the body. This results in storage of the product that the enzyme usually works on within her cells. It over accumulates and causes the symptoms we are seeing. Treatment options are limited depending upon the type of disease it is and most dogs succumb within 6 months to a year. This is very sad news for me and for Sophie.
The particular type of storage disease can sometimes be diagnosed by an eye specialist looking for changes in her eyes. Sophie will see an eye doctor soon to try and determine if there is any hope. I am hoping to get her in tomorrow but it may be a few weeks before we know.
At this time, Sophie continues to be a happy girl most of the time. She may be living in her own little world but she does recognize me and comes for pets and gives me kisses. She is losing some of her inhibitions--which is one of the symptoms. She doesn't always know that it is not OK to do her business in the house. She doesn't always know that she shouldn't bite. She has missteps and bumps into things. Sophie knows where her bed is and sleeps peacefully. She knows where the food and water bowls are! And she has so many moments of pure joy! It is so fun to watch her tear around the back yard chasing a dog or a ball!
She loved today's snow! I will keep you posted on what the eye doctor says and can only hope that he has more optimistic news.....
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Sophie continues to be a happy girl! The picture is one of her 'pounce' games and is really fun to watch. I tried to get a picture of her and Skye wrestling but they move too fast so they are all a blur. She loves to play soccer! Much more fun to chase and pounce on a kicked ball than fetch those crazy tennis balls like some dogs we know.
Sophie's liver biopsy results are in and while it was somewhat abnormal, it is not diagnostic of what is going on with her. Dr. B says her abnormal liver lab could be a result of so many weeks of stress from whatever is causing her neuro symptoms. He is referring us to the neurologist at the U of MN Vet school and Sophie will see him this Wednesday.
We had some new information come in that might help us figure out what is going on with Miss Sophie. Her littermate Baxter 09-149 is being surrendered to RAGOM due to the very same symptoms that developed with him over the past few months. He is not in foster care yet so not on the web site to read about. Likely, when we determine what is going on with Sophie, we will know how to help her brother Baxter. I will update again after our visit to the U specialist.
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Happy Birthday, Sophie!!!
Sophie turned 2 years old on March 23rd. That is what gives me hope that we can figure out what is going on with her and FIX it! She is young, active and seemingly happy. She gets along great with other dogs--no signs of needing to be in charge. She play bows to my boy Skye and pounces on toys. Her favorite seems to be the dog beds. She loves to roll around in them and haul them around the room. She is loving and snuggly with me. Sophie sleeps through the night peacefully on the dog bed beside my bed.
Sophie had her liver ultra sound yesterday and her liver looked normal. So no signs of abnormal growths or enlargement. They also did a biopsy to see how it looks at a cellular level. Those results won't be in for several more days. If it is normal, then I don't know what the next steps will be to try and diagnose her. We will have to wait and see. Paws crossed this is not permanent damage.
Sophie wants to give big kisses to her newest sponsor! Thank you so much Susannah!
Sophie gives the sweetest kisses to the Joanne and Dennis and the Goff's too! She is the best kisser too--nice and gentle--not too sloppy :)
As promised, here are some pictures of Beautiful Sophie.
Sunday, after two rounds of antibiotics, she was feeling so much better. The results on her lab work are not in yet, so keep Sophie in your prayers that things are going to be okay for this beautiful girl.
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Sleepy Sophie
Beautiful Sophie resting
