8/9/2008

Henry contracted Parvo and died July 20th at 11:30pm. Over the past year I have asked myself a thousand times "what would you do without him?" He was such a blessing. He was so loving and I am proud to say he was so loved. I am going to miss my morning hug from my Huggie Bug.

UPDATE: The vet gave Henry a 95% chance of surviving the parvo. Out at his office he said Henry was in good condition, and was not dehydrated in the least. He gave Henry 2 shots & sent medicine home with us. He came home from the vet's at 11:30am and finally started passing blood about 4:30 pm.

It was 6 hours between knowing he was seriously ill, until he was dying. He stopped swallowing his medicine at 6:30pm, and became unresponsive (his eyes still reacted to light, but he was limp). He'd had a sick stomach since Friday, but I did not think anything of it because I know dogs get upset stomachs sometimes. The next day he was still sick & lost his appetite, but was still drinking water, by Sunday morning he was not drinking anymore & I took him to the vet. The vet was shocked on Monday morning when I called and told him Henry did not make it, and he still feels guilty that he didn't see how sick he really was. The only thing we can think of is that the parvo went to Henry's heart, since the main killer of parvo-infected dogs is dehydration.

I still cannot believe Henry is gone. He was just magical. The house is horribly quiet, and there is none of that "it seems like he is still here" feeling--he is gone and there is no denying it. I miss his "good mornings" (aka MoMmY iS aWaKe!!!!!!!!!!!!! woo-hoo!!! MoMmY iS aWaKe!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe mOmMy is AwaKe!), and when I get up I always raise the window to look at his little grave. I do that before bed too.

He was always laying at my feet, or walking at my heels--I did not get away from Henry. Neighbors said he & Tuppy howled when they were home alone. Tuppy did not howl before him.

He could hug better than anyone--I would get a hug every morning from him. He'd jump up in my lap & get situated so he could lay the side of his face on my chest. He would hug his Tissy by laying his chin on her back near her shoulder. I didn't get a big hug his last day, but he leaned his head on my arm when I mentioned it. I knew what he meant.