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Leave a bone for ♥Keena♥
Nicknames:
Baby chow chow, chowwwwwwwooooo
Doggie Dynamics:
| | | | | | | | | Energy | | | | | | Intelligence | | | | | | Friendliness | | | | | | Playfulness | | | | | | Disposition | | | |
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Sun Sign: 
Birthday:
March 5th 1997
Likes:
Doggie Beach and she loved her family dearly....
Pet-Peeves:
Thunder and dogs sniffing her butt
Favorite Toy:
Pigs Ears. She loved throwing them up in the air
Favorite Food:
Cheese and grilled chicken
Favorite Walk:
Doggie Beach and the streets around our house
Best Tricks:
Barking at people she sounded like a grizzly bear! If people only knew she was a pussy cat..
Arrival Story:
At the time I was going to college and living on my own with my four kitties and my best friend, Shannon. I was in a bit of a slump in my life trying to figure it all out when this little creature changed it all for me and Shan. This bundle of joy entered my life on May 11, 1997 and it was love at first sight. I picked her up from a breeder in Colorado on Mother's day she was 9 weeks old.
I believe Keena came into this world with an old soul. She was not a typical puppy and she was not your typical Chow Chow. She had such a sense of wisdom and maturity about her. Keena never chewed or damaged anything. She didnt even play like a typical puppy. She was the runt of the litter so she was smaller than your average chow. She was potty trained at 10 weeks old. She went out the doggie door and that's all it took. She was the smartest dog we had ever seen. My family couldnt believe their eyes when we would show them everything she could do at 10 weeks old! We only had her for one week and she was already sitting, stopping, lying down, and barking on command. She adored the cats from the start and became their protector. If someone came to the door the kitties would run and hide behind Keena where they felt safe. Ask anyone that had the privilege to be touched by her. Every time we went out whether it was for a walk or a ride in the car there was not one time when someone didnt notice her or make a comment on how beautiful she was. Keena was always friendly and very polite and would shake hands with anyone that offered. She was a true little teddy bear. The question I would always hear every time we were out, "oh is that a chow chow"? Finally I got up the nerve one day in Balboa Park to respond with no she is a pure bred Chihuahua. The look on the ladys face PRICELESS!!
Doggie Beach was her favorite place. All we had to say were the words doggie beach and she would start jumping and howling so excited she knew exactly where we were going. She would run to the drawer to get her leash and collar. Chows are known for not liking the water. Not Keena she would follow me into the waves. She made quite an impression on everyone that knew her at the beach.
We loved to drive to places we had never been before. The desert was our special secret. My family would get upset with me because I would drive many hours into the desert on roads just the two of us taking photographs. I loved how she was just as spontaneous as I am. She understood everything about me and loved our adventures together.
Bio:
April 26, 2007 my life was turned upside down. Keena was diagnosed with lymphoma. We were in shock! Baby chow always ate organic food and was so healthy. What could I have done wrong? I was desperate for information, I began researching lymphoma. It is the number one canine cancer. However it is the most treatable canine cancer. She had the best oncologist here in San Diego. Keena went into remission 7 days after chemotherapy and finished the Madison Protocol on October 24th. Dogs can now live four and five years after chemo depending on their age and health of course. However my beloved chow just couldnt fight off the terrible cancer and went out of remission this past November.
We made the heartbreaking decision to end her precious life. I wanted to stop her suffering before it got bad and to let her go to a better place. Cancer took her from me and I hurt so much knowing there was nothing else I could do. She relied on me to be her voice and to be strong enough to make that final decision for her. She relied on me to give her compassion and to be selfless enough to let her go.
Keena was my constant companion and by my side for almost eleven years. She gave me her loyalty, protection and unconditional love. She was so special she sensed and shared every emotion that I was feeling whether it be happy or sad. When I was upset, sick, or just tired she was right there by my side watching over me, protecting me and comforting me. Keena for me was my kid she just had four little legs instead of two. I didnt need an alarm clock I had a little brown nose nudging me every morning to get up. I would come home every night after work to a little bear at the front door waiting to greet me and take her for her nightly walk. Shannon and I both will never be the same now that she is gone.
I have met some of the most wonderful people that I now call friends, and unfortunately we all have something in common. We lost someone that we loved to cancer. However I have now been inspired to create a website in Keena s name. I want her story to be heard and help others when they hear that terrible news and run to the internet desperate for help. I will let you all know when I have it up and running.
Thank you to my good friend Keri Goldman (a fellow chow lover) for listening and giving me advice when I needed it. Especially getting me on our canine cancer forum (Delphia) Thank you Keri. Without that group of wonderful people I don't know how I would have made it.
A very special thank you to Laurie Kaplan author of "Help your dog fight cancer. And the founder of The Magic Bullet Fund. You are my hero Laurie.
Thank you to IMOM.ORG, what a wonderful organization for people to turn to when they are desperate for help to save their little fur baby.
Thank you to Josee Clerens and John Clifton authors for "Sparky Fights Back. You have inspired me to tell Keenas story just like you did with Sparky.
I will miss my little bear forever. I dont expect everyone to understand but this little creature made a profound effect on my life. I had a bond with her that I have never had with any other animal or person for that matter. And yes Shawna has had a few animals in her life but there was only one Keena. Im lonely and heart broken and Im trying to be strong for her Shannon and Renea. I know she wouldnt want to see me like this. I will forever be grateful she was in my life.
This is just another reminder to appreciate the people and loved ones you have in your life. Try not to take them or the time you have with them for granted. You never know when your time with them will be up.
With a hurting heart.
Shawna
Forums Motto:
Show me the way baby chow
The Groups I'm In:
♥All Fur Fun♥, FANCYPANTS CAFE, Chow Chows unite!!!!!, CHOWS of Rainbow Bridge, I Love Chow-Chows!, Pawsome Pages
I've Been On Dogster Since:
| February 13th 2008 |
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More than 4 years! |
Rosette, Star and Special Gift History
Dogster Id:
717346
See all my Pup Pals
See all my Pup Pals
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April 26th 2008 9:00 pm
[ Leave A Comment ]
Last year on this day Keena was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was truly one of the worst days of my life. It will be a day that I will always remember because I was "shocked." How could a perfectly healthy 10 year old chow chow get cancer. I fed her Evo and she had filtered water everyday. Everything happened so fast I just didn't even have time to accept it.
I immediatley started researching on the internet for information. Chemo sounded like the right direction from the very beginning.
The following day Keena had her first chemo treatment and she went into remission that first week. The happiness that I felt after that first week can't even be spoken in words. I could have won the lottery and I wouldn't have cared. All I wanted is for Keena to be ok and alive.
Keena was so strong and so patient during chemo. She truly was a fighter. She never gave up. Even when she was sick at times she still had enough energy to wag her tail and make me feel better!
I don't regret the chemo but I do regret giving her anymore shots. Keena would still be with me today if she wouldn't of had anymore vaccines. But I was like everyone else. I had no idea that the vaccines destroy their little immune systems. If only I had known she would still be with me today. Growing old and leaving me the way I always imagined.
I'm angry and pissed off at myself for not being educated about this issue. However loosing Keena I am now stronger and realize I have to get the word out on this issue. I want people to know they don't have to get the vaccines! I'm angry that the vets do not want to bring this issue out in the open for fear of loosing money. I have become passionate about this issue, and will continue to get the word out in memory of Keena.
I have cried today and couldn't stop thinking about what a terrible day it was last year. However I'm looking to the future with Luca and Buddy and my kitties. I'm so lucky to have all of them in my life. I love them all so much. But Keena was my everything. The love I had for her will never happen again for me.
I love and miss you Keena
February 18th 2008 6:43 pm
[ Leave A Comment ]
Today it's been one month that I lost my Keena. My heart is broken. My emotions are just as raw as they were that Friday morning when I had to say goodbye. Tears streaming down my face as I kissed her and let her go. I will never be able to get that image out of my head. I wish I could because it's all I can think about. I try to remember all the happy times and anything that can make me happy. Some how that image always comes back to haunt me. I don't know when I'm going to stop hurting so badly.
I know time will help me, however the pain will always be inside of me. This little creature effected me like no other. I miss her every minute of everyday. Oh how I wish I could kiss her again and love her.
I'm not a religous person so I try to hang onto faith. However after loosing Keena the faith is gone. I just don't know what to believe anymore. I hope that I get to be with her someday. That is my wish now.
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See all diary entries for ♥Keena♥
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The Dog Show: Who's Your Mama?
9
