 Age: 15 Years Sex: Female Weight: 1-10 lbs
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Leave a bone for Josie
Nicknames:
The Joe, Toot, Tootenanny, Bumblebee, Butterbean, Pumpkin, Little Bear, Sugarbear, Toot Scoot
Doggie Dynamics:
| | | | | | | | | Energy | | | | | | Intelligence | | | | | | Friendliness | | | | | | Playfulness | | | | | | Disposition | | | |
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Quick Bio:
Likes:
Rub-a-Tummy
Pet-Peeves:
Bathtime, Bella (the golden retriever in Pic #2) other people, other dogs
Favorite Toy:
Dad's socks
Favorite Food:
Cheese. Steak.
Arrival Story:
Josie was born in Louisiana, while I lived in Birmingham, Alabama. When I first got her, I had to drive 7 1/2 hours each way to pick her up. On the way home, we had a nasty little encounter with the Mississippi State Highway Patrol.
Bio:
On September 30, 2007, Josie started coughing like she was trying to cough up a hairball. It was gaining on midnight and I wasn't comfortable going to bed with the sound of her breathing, so we rushed to the nightime pet ER. They took X-Rays of her heart and lungs and put her in an oxygen 'tent.' The X-Rays showed that her heart was severely enlarged (she's had a leaky valve for years) and the Pericardial Sac was filling with fluid.
I had her hospitalized over night, keeping her in an oxygen 'tent' and administering various cardiac medications to try to relieve the strain on her heart. I left at 1:30 am Monday morning and came back at 7:00 am. The Vet said that they thought she should see the Cardiologist, who wouldn't be in for several hours. I made an appointment for when she was to arrive and took Josie, still on oxygen and in a large plastic box to keep the O2 level high with me to her normal vet.
Josie's vet and friend, Dr. Williams examined her and looked over the X-Rays of her heart. She recommended that I keep the appt. with the Cardiologist - Josie was critical - and she administered nitroglycerin via her ear canal. She said that in all likelihood, if I was lucky, I might have 6 months. From there, I rushed back to the ER/hospital for her appointment.
When my girlfriend and I went in, Josie was taken straight back. I informed the staff that I wanted to remain with her at all times and they asked me for a few minutes so that they could perform the Echo-Cardiogram ( a sonagram of the heart). Within minutes, they came to get me, saying that she was having problems and needed to be intubated; asking for further instructions from me. I told them to intubate and do anything necessary.
As I entered into the back where Josie was, I saw the Cardiologist performing CPR on Josie's tiny 8-lb body, with a tube down her throat and the Vet Tech manipulating the balloon, to pump air into her lungs. They had administered Atropine with some success for a minute or so, but she was in too much trouble. Josie was gone.
Throughout her life, Josie was given a tremendous amount of love, which she returned 1000-fold. In her last two weeks, she was literally romping through the grass and very playful. Best of all, I spent a lot of time with her, setting her in bed, rubbing her tummy ( we called it Rub-a-Tummy, scratching her ears and sharing special treats with her - all her favorites: chicken, ice cream and oatmeal breakfast squares:)
Josie was a delight to everyone who ever met her. Most of all, she was my partner in life for the past 13 1/2 years. She flew First Class from Birmingham to Denver - IN HER OWN SEAT! She traveled with me on so many trips that she came to love flying. She loved everyone she ever met and she went places with her Dad that only Service Dogs are allowed to go - well who's to say that I couldn't see, lol. Best of all for Josie, she was loved, adored, treasured, pampered and the holder of my absolute devotion. I am glad that she didn't spend six months struggling before I was forced to make a horrible choice. I am glad that earlier in the day, before the problems began, she was her playful, happy, loving self and I'm glad that our Lord and her dear Breeder, Jerrie Freia (poms@janesa.com), chose to allow me the opportunity to take care of her these past 13 1/2 years. As anyone who met Josie knows, I was a VERY LUCKY DAD.
~ Michael Witcher
To Josie:
Thank you, my darling Josie, for all of the aspects you added to my life. Thank you for all of the smiles, all the kisses and all of the warm snuggles. Thank you for enhancing my life in a way I never could have imagined 14 years ago, when I picked your tiny 3-lb body up and held you like the most precious gift from God.
To Jerrie Freia, our Breeder: Thank you for putting me through several hours of interview before allowing me the honor to become Josie's Daddy. Thank you for being available for all of my silly questions - especially all of my 'first-time father' jitters! Thank you for sharing with me life's most precious gift. You can reach Jerrie at poms@janesa.com - if you're a good person, you're in for a real treat. God bless you Jerrie!
I've Been On Dogster Since:
| March 13th 2004 |
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More than 5 years! |
Rosette, Star and Special Gift History
Dogster Id:
16958
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