Topic: I've been thinking about donating my dog to research...
17hens
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Member # 23747
posted
Now hold on, don't yell.
We've loved him well and he's loved us totally.
I'm crying as I write this.
He's 12 and has every infection that we have and he's suffering now. We've decided to have him put down tomorrow or maybe Friday.
I'm thinking, wouldn't it be grand if he could actually help some scientist find something, just one little thing, to help further them with their research of tickborne illnesses.
I know Pepper wouldn't mind.
What do you think? Could they use him post mortim? Is it possible or ridiculous? Who would I call? Maybe Univ. of Penn?
Be gentle with your replies please.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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jackie51
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May you find someone as compassionate as yourself in your quest.
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randibear
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I think randi may have had Lyme. I'm not sure. But we had her cremated and I have her ashes. I just couldn't let her go
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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sammy
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Oh hens, I think that this is very generous of you to think of how your dog might help others in the time of your great loss.
You could try contacting your vet to see if they might know more about possibly donating him for post mortem tick born research. I have no idea what is possible. It may honestly depend on what type of research is being done at you local universities.
Hugs, I love my pets dearly too. I really think of them more like little family members
They bless our lives and we never forget them.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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17hens
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posted
Thank you, my dear friends. You know I love you guys.
I just got off the phone with a very kind person at the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Center who is going to talk to a few people and get back to me. She was so kind.
She just called back and no, they're doing no research on LD. She suggested I look at Columbia Univ. veterinary school. Ok, off to google. Might as well give it a shot, right?
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
That is extremely generous of you 17hens. Just advocating my support to you and your family.
Posts: 183 | From ... | Registered: Oct 2011
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RZR
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posted
I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Pepper.
Hugs to you and your family.
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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Silverwolf
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posted
Dear <<<<< 17hens and Family >>>>>,
Please hug that <<<<< Pepper boy >>>>>, ever so gently for me... I am so sorry it is such a hard choice to make.
I hope Columbia U. Vet. School can take him , it would be so wonderful to know that your special pet may be of help to others even after he is gone.
This makes me cry, as our Sweety girl ,who turned 10 in Sept.'2011 isn't well. She has had allergies and who knows what all,
now she is getting lumps up under her skin, we know there may not be much more time with her. They are family, and bring so much joy and fun into our lives.
Prayers going up for comfort for you and yours.
Just Silverwolfi here
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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17hens
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posted
Thanks everyone. I realize as this thread progresses that it should probably be in put in general.
I got a response from Univ. of Penn. A lady working on LD research contacted me. Basically she said they could use a blood sample if Pepper was positive for Lyme nephritis (I think that's kidney problems or failure).
He's never shown signs of that and our vet told us the test with the appt and shipping of the blood would run us $166.
Since we're already stretched to pay for the euthanasia, I guess we'll have to pass on this one.
When I thought of this idea originally, I guess I didn't consider the fact that it would cost us some serious money to help research. Oh, well.
If anyone wants to pray for us, please pray tomorrow at 6pm. DD has had her favorite puppy since she was 3 and this year especially, they are attached at the hip. Maybe we'll prolong this until next week but for now we have an appt tomorrow. Thanks all.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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17hens
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Ode to Pepper, and to all those who suffer in silence...
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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fflutterby
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posted
Oh Hens,
I am so sorry to hear about Pepper. Just like you, looking to help others. That is so unselfish of you! You are in my prayers. May you find comfort in knowing that he will not suffer anymore.
-------------------- Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength Posts: 1367 | From North Jersey | Registered: Sep 2010
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lyme in Putnam
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I'm so sorry for the whole family.
-------------------- He took u to it, He'll you through Posts: 2837 | From NE. | Registered: Apr 2007
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Tammy N.
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Oh Hens, I am so sorry. It is such a sad place to be in. Lots of love and hugs are being sent your way.
If Pepper wasn't so elderly, there may have been some treatment options to try, but at his age, healing would be so difficult. I remember momlyme saying how sick her dog was and once they moved away from their moldy home, the dog improved greatly. This was my first thought as a possibility about your baby, but again, he is older so bouncing back is just so difficult. It is kind and loving to help stop the suffering.
Really so sorry you are going through this. You and your family are in my prayers every day. I will now include Pepper.
xoxo
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
I don't think Pepper is his body. I believe in separation of body and soul, so I think his little soul will be else where.
I think some people hang onto life instead of quality of life. I was happy for my doggie when it was his time, I can relate to how awful it feels to be a prisoner of your body.
I would donate my dog's body if I thought it would help.
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2roads
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posted
Sorry Hens for having to let go this way.
I guess I would think of all the good times you shared and the love you gave him in his life. It sounds like he lived a full, happy life.
It's a shame there wasn't more that could be learned about lyme and his body, but hopefully that will someday come.
I too believe he has not left you spiritually. Although you cannot touch him, he is there. Where he remembers love, he is there.
Hugs-
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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2roads
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Sorry Hens for having to let go this way.
I guess I would think of all the good times you shared and the love you gave him in his life. It sounds like he lived a full, happy life.
It's a shame there wasn't more that could be learned about lyme and his body, but hopefully that will someday come.
I too believe he has not left you spiritually. Although you cannot touch him, he is there. Where he remembers love, he is there.
Hugs-
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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Rumigirl
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I'm so sorry to hear of your sad situation.
I don't know if it's too late, and this is a wild stab, but Dr. Eva Sapi does Tick-borne Illness research at the U. of New Haven (I hope it's ok to use her name here!). She does want tissue samples for research. I have no idea if a dog would interest them or not. I have her contact info, and it's also easily obtainable, I think.
Love and prayers for your family and Pepper.
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nefferdun
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I am really sorry you and your family have to let go of a precious friend. I love animals too. The dog we have left is about 14 years old and he is beginning to struggle. When it is their time to go, they let you know. Afterwards, it is peaceful.
I believe they have a soul and will be the first to greet you in heaven.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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17hens
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posted
Thanks all so much. You are such good friends. I appreciate your kind words.
Rumigirl, too late but thank you.
"Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives." -John Galsworthy
"I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness. If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there." -Rev. Billy Graham
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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momlyme
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So sorry for your loss, hens! Praying for you and your family in this difficult time.
Love and hugs!
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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Kudzuslipper
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posted
I am so sorry for you, your family, and pepper! I got my first pets ever in my 40's just 6 years ago. first Jasper, then Cash. my dogs are so much a part of our life, and heart, after just this short time I cannot imagine the emotions of a lifelong fur friend passing.
I am comforted and inspired by your grace and caring for Pepper, and letting him go when the time came. I hope you can find comfort too, knowing he had a great life with you and that he is in a better place and it was the right time.
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posted
GIVE HIM LOTS OF ANTIBIOTICS AND PRAY.
Posts: 107 | From new jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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sparkle7
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Didn't see this thread until today... I'm sorry for your loss.
I hope someday to be able to see my pets who passed away in the afterlife or some other plane. I think that's what some intuitives say can happen.
I don't think the spirit dies - just the body. I'm sure your Pepper is in a better place now.
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17hens
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posted
You guys are all so sweet. Thank you. We're doing OK.
It's been almost 2 weeks and my DD and I can look at each other and the tears start flowing. But they're beginning to be good tears, not so shaking sad. We talk about him and what we miss and it's healing for us to cry together.
I heard a story today of an elderly couple who had an older dog that got sick (probably lyme) and for one year, they carried all 100lbs of him outside to potty! All he could do was lay on his bed for a year! Then he got open bed sores. Oh my goodness! I can't imagine doing that to an animal.
As hard as it is for us now, I know I did the right thing for Pepper. He was happy that day, he was calm, he looked into my eyes, I kissed him on the head and he was gone. No more pain.
I'm gathering pictures of our many adventures with him over the years and making a photobook. If not for anyone else, I'm doing it for myself.
Should I tell you?? We're considering another dog again. I swore no more so I wouldn't have to worry about ticks again, but I miss him. It's so empty in our house now. What am I thinking? Maybe it's too soon.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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sammy
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17hens, when the time is right to adopt another furry friend, you will know. Who are we to judge?
I think it's a good idea to make a photo book of Pepper's pictures. I treat my pets like family so their pictures are all mixed in my photo albums, on my computer, on my cell phone, very disorganized!
My pets have always come to me as strays. God seems to send them to me at just the right time. When there is a vacancy in my home and a need in my heart.
If you are considering adopting a dog/puppy again, have fun. Don't feel guilty. Pepper will always be in your hearts as a part of your family just as the new dog/puppy will also be.
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Kudzuslipper
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I think once you've had an animal share your life, it would be hard to have a house empty of paw pats on the floor. But then I didn't think that when I pulled a deer tick off of DH one morning in December that made it's way to our bed via the dogs. So they have lost bed privileges. But it didn't take long for me to stop looking at them as little tick carriers only.
Oh and we don't live in the woods...just a normal yard with some trees as a hedge.
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linky123
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So sorry about Pepper. What kind of dog was he; he was so handsome? Very thoughtful of you to want to donate to our cause.
We have two dogs; one is getting old. He kind of raised my kids. We got him from the pound for my son when he was going through a difficult time.
He is having a hard time chewing his food, so we water it down, and he doesn't have the spring in his step he used to.
He is part greyhound and he used to fly aroung the yard. It was so much fun to watch him and the other dogs trying to keep up.
Most loyal dog I have ever seen. He will not eat his food until we have left; he would rather have our attention than eat when he is hungry.
Have you ever seen that bumper sticker that says, "God, please let me be the person my dog thinks I am?"
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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We lost our golden retriever two years ago, and we all cried at any mention of her for two years. The house was so empty, no tail wagging, no furry animal happy to greet you.
We only lasted six weeks, and got another dog. It was the best decision because eventually we got over the grief and love our puppy just as much.
Posts: 964 | From san diego | Registered: Oct 2009
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17hens
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posted
Pepper was a border collie/ springer spaniel mix and yes, he was from the pound.
I could take the bad breath, the hair all over the house, even the counter surfing but the ticks he brought in? I thought I would die!
For the last year he pretty much just went outside to the front yard and Dec 1-5, 2011, we pulled a tick off him each day. 5 ticks in 5 days. Amazing! We've got trees around but we dont' live in the woods.
If we do get another dog, I'm insisting on short white or light fur. But it's got to be silky. That's what dog love is all about - those silky ears. That's what I miss the most.
Hey, I can't believe this thread hasn't been put into General. Apparently the title is pretty deceiving.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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linky123
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Border Collie/Springer Spaniel - that's a great combo. I bet he was smart, AND active.
I like mutts; they are "one of a kind."
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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