Our Princess Has Moved On

Sheba a crossed to the other side today.  She had been doing ok, starting to eat again (mostly baby food and deli meat), but something just wasn’t right.  She had bee having increasing difficulty getting around the house and outside to potty.  Last night she needed help every time she wanted to get adjusted in bed.  We didn’t sleep much and she was constantly panting.  This morning she got up OK for her car ride (highlight of the day), but by the time I got home around 3 and went to take her out to potty she was knuckling on the remaining rear leg and was unable to bear any weight on it at all.  I called the vet’s office to let the neurologist know we had symptoms.  He said we could bring her in or wait til the morning.  Sheba was adamant about getting into the car so we took her over to the vet’s office.  On exam Sheba had very little reflex in the remaining rear leg and cried out when he barely tapped her with the mallet.  Neuro said her symptoms were consistent with spinal cord infiltration.  Just yesterday we learned UofTexas identified the fungus as Rasamsonia spp. which looks and acts like Aspergillus and Penicillium but grows a lot faster.  With all this overwhelming information, we made the decision to end her suffering.  She fell asleep peacefully in our arms around 5pm.  A big thank you to everyone who has offered support and encouragement for the last few months, we really appreciate it!

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Author: sheba2011

5/23/16 Sheba went in for TPLO of the right leg (left had been done year prior). Initial tests were inconclusive suggesting fungal or cancer. 6/22/16 fine needle aspirate in conjunction with review from specialist resulted in diagnosis of osteomyelitis of fungal origin. Organism could not be ID'd. Amputation 6/30/16, bone sent to pathology for identification and susceptibility. Final diagnosis: systemic Aspergilosis Current treatment: Itraconazole and terbinafine

16 thoughts on “Our Princess Has Moved On”

  1. Ohhhh nooooooo!’ I’m sorry, so sorry, so very, very sorry! My heart is breaking with yours.

    Crying so hard…have to come back.

    Just want to send every ounce of love I have in my heart. I’m so sorry.

  2. Lovely, lovely Sheba. I am so sorry she could not stay with you any longer. She could not have been more loved or had a better home.

    Sweet dreams, beautiful girl. We all hold you in our hearts.

    Lisa and Pofi

  3. I am so sorry to hear this news. This has definitely been a rough ride for your family. But was a beautiful, cherished dog. She couldn’t have asked for a better home!

  6. Cynthia, this is such a huge loss for us all. We had just started to get to know Sheba and your pack and our hearts ache for you. I can’t believe it happened so fast. She was such a strong, amazing and beautiful fighter.

    Please know we are here for you now and always. Sheba’s fight will always be a part of our collective hearts and memories.

    {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

  7. Tears fall as I read this. I’m so sorry for your loss of beautiful Sheba. Your love for that sweet soul shines through in all your posts. You gave her the fullest and most wondrous life any dog could have. Please know you gave us all an education here too on the horrors of fungal disease. It’s every bit as awful as cancer. Fly free Princess Sheba you’ve earned those Angel wings mighty warrior. Hugs and love to you at this hardest of times! Your girl will be remembered here always.

  8. Oh nooo beautiful Sheba, Im so sorry all this happened, what a sad ending. You did everything for your girl and im sure she live to the fullest with your family. Bye bye Sheba xxx

  9. I am so sorry to hear about Sheba. My heart is breaking for you & your family. Lean on us in your time of grief.

    Run free Sheba

    hugs

    Michelle & Angel Sassy

  11. Sooooo very sorry for the loss of your beautiful sweet girl! Everytime I see another angel take flight from this site I shed tears of sadness for the families that suffer such a huge loss. Nothing we can say can bring you comfort during this time, the loss is so huge when you lose a dear pet. Loving a pet is a huge joy but comes with huge loss when they spread their angel wings.

    I wish you peace in the coming days and hope that you can find comfort in knowing she had the best home and was loved unconditionally and that she wanted for nothing.

    Big hugs to you and yours! Summer and Patchy

  14. Oh I am so SO sorry that Sheba had to go on. There is no doubt that she was a true warrior and fought the good fight. Bless you for knowing when to let her go, we all know how difficult it is to make that final heart breaking decision. Please know that we are always here for you.

    Run free beautiful Sheba.

    Sending you peace and strength to get through this,
    Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack

  15. I keep coming back trying to write and, kf course, there are never any words that can take away your pain. Unfortunately, the grief is even heavier and heavier before it does eventually start to subside. And as hard as it is to believe right now, the happier memories, the ones you and Sheba made together, will push to sadness further and further into the background.

    There’s something that really stood out to me when you said Sheba was excited about getting into the car. You said she was adamant! She maynhave had a “knowing”, a “knowing” on a level we can’t comprehend as humans, that she would soon be released from jer earthly body that no longer served her. She KNEW you would celebrate her back home at just the right time. She KNEW you loved her that much.

    You have been through an unbelievable stressful time these past few weeks. Of course, Sheba wasn’t worrying about a thing!’ Ut you must remember, this was just a vlinkmof an eye compared to the thiusands and thousands of happy days you shared.

    Make no mistake about it, Sheba has touched us all on so many levels. She has, and will continue to make a difference! She has changed the landscape here at Tripawds in ways that we don’t even know about yet! That beautiful Sheba DEFINITELY lived a life of meaning…a life of purpose.

    It is an honor to be on this journey with you and Sheba. She willNEVER, EVER be forotten here! EVER!! Her life mattered!

    These pictures of Sheba are just lovely…just beautiful. I so hope you will continue to share more photos and stories about Sheba. Perhaps a time that made you laugh out loud…yeah, she would like that!

    Surrounding you with happy memories and Sheba’s eternal grace.

    From my heart

    Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie

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