Another Sad Loss

To say this has been a bad year for losses of so many of our furry loved ones and friends, would be an understatement. Now, another sad loss. Our dear friend, and mom's very first foster dog, Kelsey has gone to the bridge quite unexpectedly.


Mom rescued Kelsey in February 2002 from near death at a shelter in St. Joseph Missouri. He was only about a year old at that time. She fostered him for 8 months until she found the perfect home for him.


Not only did Kelsey get a fabulous home, but our mom got a great new friend in Kelsey's new mom and their family.

Kelsey survived eating parts of a purse that got lodged in his stomach and intestines back in March 2007. He had to go through three surgeries in two days. The vet didn't give him very good chances of survival, but his mom never gave up on him and he pulled through!



He was a tough boy and was back to his playful self. Here he is doing the upside-down froggie doggie!

But, that wasn't the last of Kelsey's amazing survival stories. In August 2009 Kelsey was diagnosed with a nerve sheath tumor at the base of his spine, by his tail. Mom and Kelsey's mom drove him to Colorado State University's Veterinary Hospital where the amazing doctors there were able to completely remove his tumor. Unfortunately, his fluffy tail had to go, too. But that was ok, we just all referred to him as the little polar bear!


He was such a loving boy! Always happy to be with his family, especially when he was getting his tummy scritches!


However, a couple weeks ago he started to become very weak and had problems getting up and down and his mom thought he might just be having some arthritis problems. She tried Rimadyl but it didn't work, and he was getting worse. So, on Saturday she took him to the vet to see what was going on. The diagnosis was a fast moving, degenerative neuropathy. His spinal cord was no longer able to send the signals to his legs and so they were no longer able to work correctly, or carry his weight. Knowing things were only going to continue to get worse, his mom and dad made that ever so difficult decision to let him go.


Run fast and painless now my dear friend. You were such a trooper and tough boy to have lived through all the health obstacles that were thrown your way. Your mom and dad did so much for you and loved you so completely. There will definitely be a huge hole in their lives and hearts at your loss. May you wear your Silver Harness with great pride.

With many tears and sad woo's,
Hollybollyboo and the rest of the crew. And, most especially our mom, too.