About Sparky

mosc · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject: About Sparky

On another topic, I mentioned that Sparky is critically ill. Sparky is our dog who was pretty much the mascot of electro-music 2005. Here is an update.

He has some disease called IMHA, some sort of auto-immune disease that distroys the red blood cells. He was in for a transfusion which he responded well to but his blood count dropped within a day. The vet can only offer more transfusions and drugs. Juli and I hajve decided he's better off at home rather than in the animal hospital. We are giving him lots of TLC and small amounts of chicken soup and some steriods the vet says will help. He's very weak but doesn't seem to be in pain. He's sleepy and not very energetic, but he can walk and is alert from time to time. We've decided not to put him down until he seems to be suffering.

Since Juli works full-time, I'm spending virtually every waking minute with him. He's like a child, as many of you know that have pets. We are going to take this one day at a time.

Thanks for the kind words from so many of you. I'll keep you up-to-date as much as I can. Until things change one way or the other, I'll not be on the forum too much.

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Sparky - April 2005

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Kassen · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:16 am Post subject:

Sparky looks *exactly* like a pluche dog I used to have as a kid...
It realy screams "cuddle me", that look.

I suppose that in this sad stage it's too much to hope he gets well, but let's hope for peace and dignity. It's sad but I think you are doing the right thing, keeping him at home, wishing you and Sparky strength, H. The board will manage without you.

mosc · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:53 am Post subject:

Thanks...

He's doing better this morning. He's been able to hold down a few swallows of chicken soup and water. He held down his pills this morning. He doesn't appear to be suffering so we are going to stay with him day by day. I spend my days alternatively being encouraged and crying...

Kassen · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:00 am Post subject:

I understand. It all ends; nice meals are over at one point and we all die in the end. We can only hope we'll be satified after the meal and will have spend our time chacing sufficient butterflies and barking at enough intruders.

I don't like the idea of animal hospitals.

djfoxyfox · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:40 am Post subject:

Hi Howard,

Here's my best hopes, wishes, and prayers for you, Juli, and especially Sparky.

Love,

jkn · Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 469 Location: La Porte, IN, USA

We've been through somewhat similar experiences and we also didn't put him to sleep until he was suffering, no longer happy, and there simply wasn't any hope. I let him sleep on my pillow for several months as it was the only place he was happy (he was a miniature long hair dachshund...) We held him as he went to sleep - I still can barely handle thinking about that.

My best wishes to you, Juli, and Sparky.

Wild Zebra · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:23 am Post subject:

Best Wishes Mosc,

I got a little brat at home. Never was a dog person til this dog showed up at work and I took her in. Looked around for flyers to no avail so I kept her. We had hard times at first. She's run away a few times and I get ticked and say "You can stay at the pound", don't mean it though. Shes such a sweety I'd be so bummed if I didn't have her or if anything happened to her.

she'll pull through
they have amazing spirits

mosc · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

We had Sparky put to sleep about one hour ago. He died in Juli's arms. He had a very difficult morning and it seemed like the best thing. I kept thinking, if I were Sparky, what would I want. He was ready to go. He was so trusting it was devastating.

The vet who did the injecting was a Christian and was full of "God Bless You"s and "he's with Christ now" messages. We didn't say anything because if it made him feel better, then it was OK with us. I couldn't imagine doing these things on a routine basis. God bless him.

We burried Sparky in the garden here at home. Everytime I think I couldn't cry anymore, I cry some more.

I feel very lonely now, I guess that's why I came back to our forum so quickly. It feels like I'm with friends when I'm doing this.

If you have a pet, give them a big kiss as a memorial for Sparky. Pass the love around. I guess this pain we feel when we loose our pets is a blessing that wouldn't come without the love. I don't understand it for a minute.

I'll let things be for a while and won't start looking for another puppy until tomorrow.

Wild Zebra · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:39 pm Post subject:

Sorry MOSC

Thats gotta be real tough. I can't and don't wanna say I know what your going through. I'll give nips a big hug for sparky when I get home.

Take Care

Kassen · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject:

gsga · Joined: Jul 22, 2004 Posts: 267 Location: allentown, pa

I'm so sorry Howard. My thoughts are with you!

jkn · Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 469 Location: La Porte, IN, USA

Howard... I'm truly sorry. My thoughts are with you.

blue hell · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:50 pm Post subject:

That's really sad news, feel sorry for you.

elektro80 · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:09 pm Post subject:

This is truly sad. It is so sad when people die. Sad

Mohoyoho · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:45 pm Post subject:

So sorry for you and Julie. Sparky was such a great pup.

mosc · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone. Love to all...

stldrum · Joined: Sep 21, 2005 Posts: 1 Location: NE WI USA

I'm so sorry for you Howard. I have had dogs and cats all my life and they have all been a part of the family. I know how you feel and my thoughts are with you and Juli.

Chris Kuborn

deknow · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:01 pm Post subject:

howard,
love to all of you from ramona, gwennie, lance, and myself. i will remember sparky sitting on my lap durring the final performance of em05.

deknow

RFBB · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:33 pm Post subject:

Howard-
I recently went through just abou the same thing with our Samoyed "Harley." It was a hard decision to make but the best decision nonetheless. Positive energy your way my man.

bachus · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:24 pm Post subject:

Very difficult going, Howard, I know. When in that dark place I try to hold on to a sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to share the tangibly miraculous bond of love. It does not heal the heart or stanch the tears, but it can reform the pain into something that may be endured.

with all our love
robert & lynda

Dovdimus Prime · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:51 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear about Sparky Howard. I'm happy that you feel you can draw comfort from the members of this forum.

Cheers

Dovder

Carsulae · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:35 am Post subject: About Sparky

I've just read about your pet Sparky.
It is a sorrowful fact, i hope that everything to end well.

mosc · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:55 am Post subject:

Again, thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts.

Juli and I are already looking for a new puppy. Just the process of looking makes us feel better. When we get him/her, I'll post a picture, of course.

dnny · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:00 am Post subject:

sorry to hear about Sparky.

hugs

Daniel and Maikki

mosc · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 7:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Daniel.

Juli and I spent the entire day today puppy hunting and we found one! The breed is Havanese. It's a small dog that originally came from Cuba. It almost became extinct because of some bull shit with the Communists there. Apparently breeding dogs is too aristocratic to be allowed there.

There are a bunch of breeders in North America trying to save and redevelop this breed. They are very cute playfull dogs - slightly larger than the Maltese. They are like miniature sheep dogs. We looked at Malteses but they reminded us too much of Sparky. None of them could ever live up to that standard that is in our minds - you know how that is.

Anyway, we put down a deposit for a puppy that is almost five weeks old now. The breeder lives just north of Allentown in the Poconos. We'll be able to take him home in early November when he's old enough.