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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:03 am |
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1st Post |
Mark
member
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When we went to the races last Saturday evening, Taco, our 9 year old chihuahua, was doing fine. When we returned home a little after midnight, she was in distress. She was struggling to breathe. Early Sunday morning, we finally decided to take her to the only vet in town that takes after hours calls. He diagnosed her with congestive heart failure, which isn't necessarily a death sentence. He told us that it is very common for small dogs to have heart valve problems which causes fluid to build up in the lungs. He treated her with lasix and amoxicillin and sent us home with more of the same.
By Sunday evening, she seemed much better. She had quit breathing through her mouth and started breathing through her nose again, though her breaths were short and quick. When we went to work Monday morning, she was acting more like her old self. When we returned from work Monday evening, she seemed like she felt much better, though she still didn't look totally comfortable with her breathing.
During the night Monday night, she took a turn for the worse. She started breathing through her mouth again and she was standing with her legs apart and her head up to make her breathing easier. At one point, I picked her up to put her back on our bed, and I think the pressure of my hands on her abdomen took her breath completely away. She kicked her head back in pain, and then she quit breathing. We thought that we'd lost her right there, so we moved her to a towel in the bathroom. Then she coughed and started breathing again.
We really didn't know if she was going to make it, so we woke the kid to come see the dog. As soon as Taco heard the kid's voice she raised her head and turned it completely around to see her. I thought this was a good sign. While we were discussing our options, she stood up and walked into the next room. I was beginning to think that we'd dodged a bullet.
We didn't want to wait until 8:00 to go see the vet again, so we made another call to the after hours vet. We finally got in touch with him about 6:00 and he agreed to meet us at his office ASAP. I picked her up to take her to the car to go to the vet. The kid was going to drive. As soon as we got in the car, she kicked her head back again, just like she had done in the bed earlier. The sound that she made was just painful to hear. Taco never drew another breath. She died in my arms on the way to the vet about 6:00 Tuesday morning.
This has really affected everyone in the family. I think that we were all more attached to her than any of us want to admit. Taco probably wasn't the best pet in the world during her early years, but for the last 3-4 years, I think that she was the most affectionate pet on earth. Like most chihuahua's she didn't like many people, except for us and our closest friends, but she really mellowed the last couple of years.
Taco could always brighten your day. Whenever I would come home from work in the evenings and sit in my chair, she would always jump in my lap and lick me in the face. That always made my day better. Monday evening, she felt good enough to do this one last time.
Taco was also very smart. During the work day, we would always use a baby gate to confine her to our bathroom. I was usually the last one to leave in the mornings and put up the gate. Taco always stayed on our bed while we got ready to go to work. She learned my routine to the point that whenever I tucked in my shirt tail and loaded my pockets, she would jump down from the bed and go to the bathroom to wait for me to put up the gate. Even though she felt bad Monday, she stuck to the routine. I didn't make her stay. I picked her up and put her back on the bed. I let her spend the day there under the ceiling fan.
Like I said, we've all been affected by her death. We still come home from work expecting to see her bright face. I still sit in my chair, but nobody comes to see me. I think that adjusting to life without this little dog will take all of us a while.
There is one thing that I would like to share with everyone. Like I said before, heart valve problelms are very common in small dogs, but it is also very treatable. For several months before her death the other day, Taco would have these coughing and gagging spells two or three times per day. Usually it would happen when she got excited. She frequently groomed herself like our cats (we think she learned that from them), so when she would have these coughing spells, we teased her about having hairballs like a cat. Looking back, I think that these coughing and gagging spells were a symptom of the fluid that was building up in her lungs. Pay attention to any strange behavior in your animals. It could be a sign of something serious.
Taco had a knack for knowing when anybody in the family was sick. She would always stay right with the sick person until they felt better. I can't help but feel that I failed her when she was sick.
Here is a picture of Taco from 2004.....
____________________
"Green is the new Red."
http://www.fairtax.org
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:06 am |
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2nd Post |
Bubba
Redneck Computer Geek
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I'm so sorry Mark.... I know this is a tough time for y'all .... 
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Life is what you make of it.... Try not ta screw it up by usin' bad tools....
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:09 am |
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3rd Post |
houston
Georgia on my mind
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sorry for your loss. our love of our pets hurts when they pass away.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:10 am |
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4th Post |
Patsy
Militia Member
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Oh Mark - oh I am so sorry. We love our pets so much. Prayers are surrounding you and your family. Thank you for sharing little Taco with us.
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"No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously."
-- Dave Barry
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:14 am |
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5th Post |
CarGuy
Car Czar
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Sorry Mark. TRULY. I've been there. It REALLY hurts but Taco would not want to cause you any pain, I promise you. She was a true friend and faithful servant, who only wanted your love and an occasional pat on the head. She knows you love her, she is at peace.
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Please, PLEASE! Nobody tell Obama what comes after a trillion!
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:14 am |
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6th Post |
librarylady
Member
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Condolences. It is like loosing a child when a beloved pet goes. We have a dog that is part chihuahua.....Thanks for mentioning the coughing. Our 14 year old dog does that, I'll ask them to check when she gets her annual check up Tuesday.
Again, sorry for your loss.
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If you feel the need to judge me, just keep the verdict to yourself.
Live your life so that no one has to lie at your funeral.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:38 am |
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7th Post |
RaisinCain
99.9% pure
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So very sorry Mark. My condolences.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:41 am |
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8th Post |
OnTexasTime
Member
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I am so sorry to hear of the loss in your family.
I can relate.
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Rebecca Miller is my official facebook Meteorologist.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 12:51 am |
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9th Post |
tennis gal
Frog Fan
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Thanks for sharing precious Taco with us Mark. You will miss him, but maybe your family will be ready for a new friend before too long.
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Eat like no one is watching. Shop like the bill will never come.
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rusty
Shaken not stirred.
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This makes me very sad. Rest in peace, Taco.
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"I used to be apathetic, now I just don't care."
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susiet
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So sorry to hear this, Mark. Prayers for peace sent.
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We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.
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Jami
My day is Thursday
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I'm so sorry. 
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I feel like I should have a great idea right now. But I don't. - Zephyr
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John in Plano
Member
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I'm sorry for your families loss.
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Flash McCord
Moose & Bruiser's Mom
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I'm so sorry, Mark.
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Be excellent to each other and party on!
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Ranger
Can we get some Hitting
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Sorry to hear about your friend Mark.
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stanwood
I don't need no stink'n title
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Man, I am so sorry, Mark. It's tough to lose a friend like that.
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Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
- Dr. Suess
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FORpattieNEY
Carpe Chocolatem!
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Mark, I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Taco.
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FORNEY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND ~ 2009 UIL STATE MARCHING FINALIST
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sangersteve
BabyChickenStomper
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Sorry about the loss of your friend.
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You can lead a liberal to the truth, but you can't make him think.
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jrg8
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mark, so sorry to read about your loss...and thank you for sharing your story about taco...
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