Just before Christmas in 2014, Chancy began having seizures. The first couple of nights they were just petit mals. He would jump off the couch from a dead sleep. He would run around the house looking scared and confused... as if he didn't know where he was. After a couple of these he had at least two grand mal seizures before we could get him into a vet. He would seize violently for several minutes while losing control of his bladder. This would be followed by several hours of pacing. The vet put him on extremely high doses of valium to calm his mind until we could get test results back. After the results came back and we ruled out valley fever, the vet presumed it was probably a brain tumor, based on his age and breed, and put him on phenobarbitol. For another month he remained a very doped up and lethargic pup until the drugs built up in his system. He didn't have any more seizures, but he never quite got back to his old personality. He still had an appetite, but he slept a lot more and wanted to play less frequently. However, once he came out of his drug induced fog, he did seem to still enjoy his walks, so we committed to giving him the best "rest of his life" that we could. We had several more good months with him until mid April when we noticed his right eye had dilated and did not return to normal. He didn't paw at it, but he kept it closed and it looked red. We had to wait over the weekend to get him back to the vet, during which time he had another violent grand mal seizure. We immediately put him back on the valium, but it didn't help this time. He had three grand mal seizures within a 28 hour period. After coming out of each of them he would pace for hours, but was unable to see well. We were unable to keep him down and he'd just stumble around and walk into things. The vet said the only thing we could try was antibiotics in case it was the result of an infection, but even those would take 3 weeks to get into his system. We were fairly certain that it was probably the tumor growing and putting pressure on his eye from the interior. The seizures alone would have caused more brain damage and we could not let him continue to seize that many times a day for three more weeks. We made the hard decision. The vet provided a doggie feast of muffins, chocolate, chips and his favorite... cheesecake, which I fed to him by hand. Grandma, Grandpa, Ron and I opted to stay with him when the vet sent him to doggie heaven. He was truly the best dog EVER and will be forever in our hearts.
Photos From Chancy's Last Weeks
SOME FINAL WORDS
Chancy received over a hundred messages and comments after he passed. He even touched the lives of those who only knew him through his pictures and stories. I couldn't post them all, but below is a small selection expressing sorrow at his loss.
GRANDPA'S LAST FACEBOOK WORDS: Our boy crossed over the rainbow bridge today at 11:00 AM. He left us with heart full of love and sorrow. There will be no more puppy sitting, no more romps on the beach or ice cream at Bandon. No more walks at london bridge or the ball park. Will not be able to see those brown beggy eyes ask for the last bite of toast or get puppy paws for can I lick the plate, grampa. I taught him well. There will be no more 20's at 19 and you cant spank granma. You will always be in our hearts and memories and we will turn and see you when we least expect it. In the meantime Chance, run free in heaven and wait for us to join you. Say " Woof" to the ones we love who went before. LOVE GRAMPA Chancy boy touched so many people - He had a life filled with lots of love and many muddy adventures. Teresa, I am grateful to him for bringing us together. Sara
You gave him a wonderful life, he always looked so happy. Angela
I'm so sorry Teresa and Ron I know how hard it is to lose our fur babies. just know what wonderful parents you were to him and you gave him so much love he was a very blessed puppy who had much love. Debbie R
I know how hard this was for you..having to put my sweetie of 13 years down a month a go..they are part of our family and our life. Know that you gave him an incredible loved life as he did for you. Liza
So sorry Teresa, I know that Kari, Blu and Megan have met him at the bridge and are all running through the meadows and are having a grand time. RIP big guy! Connie
So sorry for you loss honey. I know how much you all loved him . I know how hard it is to lose them. They are family members with unconditional love. RIP little boy. Jane
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MAMA'S LAST FACEBOOK WORDS:
We said goodbye to a best friend and beloved family member today. He's left a hole in our hearts, but enriched our lives in ways we never imagined. You'll be with us always, our jowlsy friend. Be in peace my sweet boy and know that we all love and miss you... especially mama. I hope he finds Cailey and they have a wonderful time getting to know one another. I know full well how heavy your heart is today. I have loved every Chancy post you've done — from playing with his soccer ball in the snow in NY, to boating with you and Ron, to his tongue hanging out with joy as his head sticks out the car window. Hugs to you and your family. Shannon
I'm so sorry , I know how much you loved him. I will miss all the Chancy butt pictures. Artha
So sorry you did all you could and did what was best. That is unselfish love he was so blessed to have u both. Sherri
Teresa I am so sorry. But what alot of good years. He will wait for you at Rainbow Bridge. Mary
I am so sorry for your loss. Chancy brought you much joy and happiness and you now have many good memories that will be with you forever. It is sad and heartbreaking to have to say goodbye to our best furry friends and family members. God Bless. Louise
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GRANDMA'S LAST FACEBOOK WORDS: I am Chancy's gramma. From the moment we met Chancy in New York we loved him. He would hop in bed with us and sleep sideways, boy was that fun. He would cuddle on the couch, loved to go for walks, rides and the ocean. He just always wanted to be with us. He loved to eat, we said he ate with gusto. Rock taught him puppy paws and he would put his big paw up on your lap, begging with sad eyes, who could resist that. We always gave him the last bite and many more in between. He brought us love, laughter, smiles and tremendous joy. We will miss you so much Chancy, but know we will see you in heaven. Gramma So sorry to hear about Chancy! I really loved that face! Such a beautiful dog. I feel like I knew him through all your postings and I just loved him.My heart goes out to you! Kathy C
I am so sorry Teresa,I never even met him and all your posts made me feel like I did,he had an awesome personality I am sure,I am so sorry.... Jim A
I am so very sorry for your loss, there are few words that can help, I know he brought you so much love and strength when you needed him, and you gave him a wonderful life and family. Sweet memories. Sharon C
So VERY sorry Teresa chancy was loved by even those of us who only knew him through FB. Lots of HUGS Kate
I am so very sorry to hear about Chancy. My heart hurts for you. He's with my Oscar now having a good time and pain free. I'll be praying for you Teresa.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dearest family member. I enjoyed your posts of him and it was obvious how much you loved him. He was a lucky boy to have you. Sniff sniff. Todd T
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Items Left Behind
Chancy was cremated on April 15, 2015. Below are some of the tokens we received from the mortuary. We will be sprinkling his ashes in Chancy's favorite places: Our house, Grandma and Grandpa's houses, his previous home in Brockport, NY, London Bridge Park, the Baseball Park, a beach on Havasu Island, and on the Bandon beach that he fell in love with last summer.
HOMES: Mom & Dad's, Grandma & Grandpa's, Brockport, Across the Lake
CHANCY'S LAST WALK: London Bridge Park & Island Beach
CHANCY'S LAST WALK: Baseball Park, Desert, Palo Verde Park & Golf Ball Church
CHANCY'S FAVORITE WALKS : Stewart and Gaddis Parks and High School
BANDON & COQUILLE
MOM & DAD'S RIVER
CHANCY'S LAST ROAD TRIP - OCT 2017
eThese were Chancy's favorite places to stretch his legs between Oregon and Lake Havasu: Weed/Shasta, Britton Lake, Rest Area near Burney Falls, Rest Area past Susanville, Fernley, Rest Area before Hawthorne, Safeway in Hawthorne, Rest Area near Tonopah, Rest Area at Goldfield, Gas Station in Beatty.
OUR NEW HOME
This video was taken during one of his 3 hour pacing episodes after one of his seizures on that final weekend. It's painful to watch, but made our decision easier. He was no longer himself and we hated to think of him being in pain or confused. :-( |
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