Ugga-7yr old french bulldog (calcinosis cutis)(Ugga crossed the bridge)

Oh Jackie!!!!

I am so sorry to hear this! Ugga is running and playing without pain now, but you already know that.

When you're up to it, please do let us know what happened so that we can be watchful even though Cushings wasn't the cause.

My heart aches for you and the tears are flowing. I am so sorry for your loss.

Jackie:
I am so sorry about the loss of Ugga. I know he is happy and not in pain anymore, but that does not lessen the heartache you feel. I hope you can get through this I know you have been through a lot the past few months. God Bless you and Ugga in heaven.
Patti

Oh my gosh, you guys. I am so overwhelmed by all the love I'm feeling right now. I keep coming here and reading your messages, they bring me such comfort. Thank you. I don't know what to do with myself today, my life has been dedicated to caring for this boy for the past 8 years. Every aspect of our lives revolved around Ugga's feeding, medication, and potty schedules. I had to arrange my schedule at work so he'd be home alone no longer than 6 hours at a time.
This boy was a fighter. When he was 2, he started having cluster seizures and we thought we were going to lose him because we couldn't get control at first. When he was 3, he ate a pack of Orbit gum (sweetened with Xylitol-deadly to dogs). He spent the night in the ER and the vets were less than optimistic about him coming through that. When he was 4, he ate a rubber ball, which moved its way into his intestine (over the course of a month!) where it got stuck and had to be surgically removed. Again, the vets weren't sure he'd survive that ordeal, he had a lot of dead intestine that had to be removed as well. He bounced back, no problem. After that, we had one more bad seizure episode (17 seizures in 24 hours) but again, he pulled through. We had a couple good years with no incidents and then when he turned 7 the CC started and well, you know the rest. As far as what's been happening the past few weeks, my vet strongly believes it can be related to the many, many seizures this boy had early on in his life. You could tell there was always something a little off about him neurologically but it was always so slight and never really affected his day to day life. He was doing so well until just after Lou passed away (june 17). I think he had 2 good days and then became really lethargic, stopped playing with toys, and only ate sporadically. 3 weeks ago, my husband and I, adopted a 2 year old bullmastiff. I know it sounds like we just rushed out and "replaced" our boy Lou but I assure you, we weren't replacing anyone, we were just trying to heal our hearts (and Ugga's as well). He really perked up when Mable came to live with us, it was a complete turnaround. Unfortunately, there were only a few good days before he started the pacing and not eating or drinking. It was as if he forgot how to use a bowl, or he wasn't able to. He'd go back and forth between the water and the food bowl, look at at me, and bark. We did so much testing and we didn't get anywhere. I bought him a Lixit bottle to drink out of and it got to the point where we had to physically put his little face up to it to get him to drink. He became so lethargic, it was hard to wake him when he slept and his poor little body would twitch and contract the whole time (not like dreaming, it looked like he was having mini focal seizures while he was asleep). When he wasn't sleeping, he was pacing. He wasn't our Ugga anymore, his brain had checked out. We really believe he hung on for us, that he wanted to make sure we were ok and that Mable would take care of us (yes, she rescued us as much as we rescued her). I'm sure we're probably humanizing him a little too much, but it helps us feel a little better. We decided to help him cross the bridge last night. It was so sad but so peaceful. He had picked a spot to lay down outside (he was barely able to walk, he kept tipping over) and my vet just did it there. She was crying too, she had become very attached to Ugga over the years. He touched the lives of everyone he met and always brought a smile to their face. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed :'(

Oh Jackie, I am so very sorry to hear about what happened to Ugga. I felt so close. Scoop and Ugga had so many of the same problems months ago. The morning of the day Scoop passed away his IMS saw something that made her think Scoop had a mini focal seizure.
Big hugs!

Dear Jackie,

Quote:

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We really believe he hung on for us, that he wanted to make sure we were ok and that Mable would take care of us (yes, she rescued us as much as we rescued her). I'm sure we're probably humanizing him a little too much, but it helps us feel a little better.

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I believe ya'll are spot on but I would go a step further and say that it was a joint effort between Lou and Ugga. From reading your journey this last month, I don't think Ugga wanted to leave you alone, he still had one more job to do. So he and Lou found Mabel and sent her to you, knowing we all need the healing power of love and connection. Their mission complete, Ugga was free to turn toward the Light and join Lou in the Rainbow Fields. I imagine they were not only glad to see each other but very pleased with themselves to boot. They take good care of their mom.

Know we are here anytime you wish to talk. When you feel up to it, feel free to start a memorial thread in the In Loving Memory section. We would be honored to help you celebrate the life you shared.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Love’s Greatest Gift

I know it is hard on you, there are no words that can describe
the piercing sorrow which does not lessen with time.

When you had to bring me with you, on that last car ride to make,
all the while knowing the course of action you needed to take.

I know you hurt, I feel your sorrow, it’s true,
I could always sense your each and every mood.

When we reached our destination I knew that your heart was breaking,
I lay upon the ground…getting closer to my new awakening.

You gathered me close as you wondered,
how you could do this for me when you needed me the most.

I tried to convey my last wishes to you,
I looked into your eyes with all the love you are used to,

Mom and Dad, this earthly body has served me well,
but the time has come for us to part, to no longer dwell.

You understood the signal, and knew it was time for me to go,
but before I leave there is just one more thing you should know.

I will look out for you, each day I will guide,
my Spirit in some way will always be nearby.

Before I make it to the Bridge to stay,
I will return the love tenfold in hopes for my debts to be paid.

For a new pup has entered your world,
a new love will blossom and slowly unfurl.

I know you realize that new dog is a gift of joy,
sent from me, your baby boy.

That new dog was chosen by me, to lessen your pain,
like the gentle warmth of the sunshine after the rain.

When you hear her bark, it’s my bark too;
when she cuddles you close, it’s what I would do.

So open your heart and see,
that the love she gives comes also from me.

Take comfort, hug her, and reminisce
as she gives her love freely in the form of a dear doggy kiss.

But the time has come to let me go,
to make that unselfish choice, even though tears will flow.

Hold me, cherish me, until my last breath,
but please don’t look at this as my death,

Someday we will be together again; come close for one last kiss,
I know this it true, as it is my soul’s last earthbound wish.

Now I can feel my spirit floating, it is traveling high,
as though I were a cloud in the endless blue sky.

Please find peace, you have honored my life with this,
For I have been reborn through this, Love’s Greatest Gift.

Dear Jackie,

I want you to know how very sorry I am about your loss of Ugga. It was exactly nine years ago this week that my husband and I witnessed some of the very same changes in our beloved Cushpup, Barkis, and we soon helped him to Rainbow Bridge as well. For us,too, it was just as you have described. Barkis would lower his head over his food and water bowls, but it was as if he could not remember how to make his mouth work anymore. And the pacing and the stumbling, and finally the sense that "he" was no longer really with us any longer. So I absolutely understand your decision. In the midst of your pain, I am so grateful that you have Mable alongside you to give you renewed purpose. And how especially sweet that Ugga and Mable were able to meet -- it is as if Ugga had the chance to pass a blessing on to his new sister. Our baby Peg was born a month after Barkis died, so they did not have a chance to meet on this earth. But I believe a precious connection was still in place. We had left Barkis' dogbed out as a symbol of his presence, and one of the very first things that puppy Peg did was to walk over to that bed, sniff it carefully, and then peacefully settle herself on it as if Barkis was curled up right beside her, keeping her safe. It was such a sweet and gentle moment.

Anyway, I know this has been such a painful and demanding time for you. When your baby has required so much special care, it seems almost otherworldly when suddenly all that time weighs so heavy on your mind and your heart. So it is doubly good that Mable is alongside you and beginning her new journey as your companion. Please do remain in touch, Jackie. We will always want to you know how you are doing, and we will always be here to help you remember and honor your sweet boy.

Marianne

Jackie,
I am so touched by Ugga's story...so many things for Ugga over the years and yet he kept on and you all did too. He was quite the little fighter!
So sorry for your loss...two heartbreaks so close together. A peaceful end for Ugga and no more suffering at least. It's so hard to get through this, I'm so glad you have Mable by your side now, I'm sure she'll bring some comfort.
Thinking of you and sweet little Ugga.

Barbara

Jackie,
no one thinks that Mable is replacing Ugga. We adore our furlets and I for one, can't imagine living life without at least one :)

I agree that Ugga was making sure that all would be well before he passed and I'm so glad that he was able to do so at home!

Jackie ... I am so sorry. Fly free lil Ugga. Hugs.

Take care
Angela