My beloved Chihuahua Chewie passed away today. It was time, it seemed. I'm one to hang on until the last possible moment but last night, during a birthday party my husband was throwing for me, Chewie began to have consecutive seizures. The guests all left and we brought him straight to the vet. They immediately took him from my arms and into the back room where they administered some valium to help break the cycle of seizures. Then they wanted to keep him overnight. I told them he was a rescue and the stress of being at the vet is usually too much for him. But they let me go back to see him in a kennel. He was laying on a pad and covered with a towel and they put heated rice packs on either side of him to keep him warm. He was sleeping soundly, not stressed at all. They said they would call me if he started seizing again to decide about administering even more valium to sedate him. They didn't call last night but in the middle of the night, my husband was up and called to check on Chewie. They said he hadn't seized. This morning, though, he had not woken up from the valium. They said based on the dosage they gave him, he should have snapped out of the sedation in 2-4 hours. He was still sleeping soundly although they considered it a comatose stage. They let me sit with him and then hold him. He was limp and snoring. He didn't even stir no matter what I did to try to wake him. I layed his head against my chest and held him like a baby. Finally, I realized it was time. The vet said it would take 2-3 seconds once they administered the drug. I held him the entire time and it was a matter of seconds. I held my hand on his belly to feel him breathe and then it stopped. It was quick and peaceful - I would not have done it in any other way. Then we wrapped him in a towel and brought him home. I had him for 10 wonderful, adventurous years full of love and fun. We had a good life together. He had a good life.
This brought tears to my eyes. My heart goes out to you, Aliza. I am so sorry you and your little guy had to part ways.
Posted by: KellyLove | December 19, 2005 at 03:33 AM
I'm so sorry Aliza. Knowing Chewie from a distance he was a sweet angel.
Posted by: Tery Spataro | December 20, 2005 at 11:38 AM
You were a wonderful mom to a rescued dog. My condolences, and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.
Posted by: Bruce Small | December 21, 2005 at 07:38 PM
Miss Aliza,
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story about chewie. We have 2 chihuahua's. Lue Lue & Chico are the craziest animals on the planet, their loud, un-cooperative, sometime stinky but always loving. It's the first time in my life that I can remember having love for a pet the way I do for these two. I hope I have the same peaceful moment with my babies as you did with yours.
Happy Holidays,
Joe & Dora
Posted by: Joe Marshall | December 26, 2005 at 06:32 PM
Sorry to hear about this, and especially during your birthday. Hope the year just gets better. Happy New Year.
Howard
Posted by: howardgr | December 30, 2005 at 09:33 AM
I am very sorry Aliza. That is the first sad thing I come across in the new year. I have my beloved 8 year old Pomeranian and believe me, if it was me with the loss, I'd be more than devastated. I wish you a quick recovery from your loss.
Posted by: Terry | January 01, 2006 at 03:24 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Your words brought tears to my eyes. I dread the day we go through that with one of our three fur-babies. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Nicole | January 04, 2006 at 10:35 AM