Remembering Sandy

It's hard to believe that it has been 4 years since you crossed the Rainbow Bridge... seems like just yesterday.

SANDY - Fall 1994 - Sept 22, 2005

After wanting a dog for as long as I could remember, I finally adopted my first dog from the SPCA in February 1995. Sandy was about 6 months old when I got her. I loved her with all my heart and she was very devoted to me.

When Sandy was about 1 ½ years old she developed a seizure disorder that was fairly well controlled with medication. At about this same time she also began to have many issues with fear and aggression. I spent many years learning about how to deal with her issues. I took obedience classes, worked with her, and consulted experienced dog owners, trainers, and Vets.

The best thing I ever did with her was agility. I was looking for a fun dog activity that would also help with her issues. That is how I met Shirley and Diane. Sandy and I only got as far as Advanced Beginners II / III and we never did enter an agility trial. Several times we repeated classes at the same level, but it didn’t matter. We were both having fun.

Agility classes helped Sandy much more than any of the other things I had tried with her. It helped to decrease her fear and aggression and she made friends with people and other dogs. I learnt how to manage her issues while continuing to have her in the agility classes which we both loved. I am so grateful to Shirley and Diane who helped me to be able to do this.

Eventually Sandy’s aggression issues escalated to the point that I had to make one of the most difficult decisions ever. On Sept 22, 2005, Sandy crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Rest easy, my girl
All is now well.
Play and have fun

At the Rainbow Bridge.
I will love you forever

And I know I will see you again one day.

TRIBUTE TO SANDY - MY FIRST FOREVER DOG

I've never written about Sandy on this blog except for the small Rainbow Bridge Tribute on the right side of my blog. I feel the need to write about her now after I have read the recent stories of Booker and Zen at the Zoo Crew . I've been there where you guys are with Booker and Zen.

Warning : this is a very sad post.

Tribute to Sandy- My First Forever Dog
Fall 1994- Sept 22, 2005

After wanting a dog for as long as I could remember I finally adopted Sandy a beautiful 6 month old long haired dachshund / cocker spaniel mix from the SPCA . Little did I know but she came with many issues. I was then a 'newbie’ dog owner and I know I made many mistakes but I do know that I did my best with what I knew at the time. And boy did I have to learn alot with her!

I loved her with all my heart and did everything I could do to work through her various issues (general fear, fear aggression, dog aggression, sudden unprovoked aggression etc). She also developed a seizure disorder which may have contributed to the problems.

As she got older the situation worsened even though I was actively working with her. She was a wonderful dog 95% of the time, but the other 5% was unpredictable, scary, and aggressive. Still I decided to keep her. I was committed to working with her. I was in a situation where I could do that as I lived alone and had no children.

I managed and controlled every situation with Sandy. It took huge amounts of energy and time. I kept her away from all children, and all people she did not know. I crated her frequently to keep visitors safe. I saw different vets, put her on medication, and saw dog behaviourists, worked on behaviour modification exercises. I socialized her with other people and dogs in safe places where the people were very dog savvy and aware of my situation with Sandy.

Basically I did everything I possibly could to manage, control, avoid her triggers and better the situation. Still there were many problems. I was bit many times. Sandy would draw blood but not enough to need stitches. Sandy would immediately be in an uncontrolled rage, bite and then 'come to', realize what she had done and run to her crate being very contrite, knowing she had done wrong.

I did this till she was 10 years old. In the last 4 months of her life she was becoming worse despite all my work with her. I could no longer safely take her out anywhere. Then one day she attacked me after I told her to get off the couch. It was the worst bite ever and I knew it was time.

I euthanized her 2 days later. I wanted her to have a peaceful quiet cross over to the Rainbow Bridge, but it was not peaceful nor was it quiet. She had to be sedated first. I fed her Snausages treats and she was happy as could be while I was alone with her waiting for the sedation to take effect. The plan was to have her fall into a coma from the sedation. She would then be given the final injection. The plan didn't work. Everytime the Vet came into the room Sandy became aggressive. The sedation started wearing off. So then we had to muzzle her for all of our safety, and 2 of us held her down while the Vet gave the needle. The whole time she was viciously trying to attack us. In the last few seconds her eyes were wide with terror. It broke my heart to see her so fearful and so aggressive even at the end, but I knew I had made the right decision. This was 3 years ago and still I am balling my eyes out as I write this.

I grieved for a long time over Sandy. I second guessed myself. I felt I had made many mistakes with her. I thought maybe I could have done more or had done things wrong. Then I thought that I kept her too long as she was clearly dangerous and unpredictable in the last few months.

One of the kindest things was said to me by a friend who also loves dogs. She said “Sandy had a great life with you because you were so committed to her. You were so willing to work with her. She wouldn’t have had those 10 years if she had been adopted by anyone else”. It was true. I felt better after that because I knew I had given her 10 good years and many wonderful times. I had done my best in a very difficult situation. I had worked with her until it was no longer safe to do so. I will always love her and remember the good times with her.

Rest easy, my girl.

Run and play at the Rainbow Bridge.

All is now well.

I will love you forever and I will see you again one day.

DID YOU SEE OPRAH'S SHOW ON PUPPY MILL'S?

It was very sad to watch. Momma cried several times. What did you think of the show? If you didn't see it you can watch some clips of it here:

Puppy Mills


PLEASE DO NOT BUY PUPPIES FROM PET STORES! They come from these awful places.

If you haven't done this yet, we would appreciate all the humans to sign the petition on the top right of our blog. It's to stop a man named Laporte who owned a puppy mill in Montreal, Canada from ever owning a dog again. He kept the dogs in unbelievably horrific conditions. Apparently his lawyer is asking that he be allowed to keep some of the dogs!

So if you are looking for a new puppy, we ask that you DO NOT BUY PUPPIES FROM PET STORES (and therefore support puppy mills). Instead look into responsible breeders or rescues or shelters.

How do you find a responsible breeder?

Read this

Are you considering adopting or rescuing a dog?

Read this

Thanks for taking the time to care about us doggies!

PS Did you know that all 3 of us came from shelters? (and also Momma's first dog Sandy!)

Thanks Momma for saving our lives!