GCH Catch A Fire's Autumn Prairie Wind JH ~ Paloma
Sunrise: October 18, 2008 ~ Sunset: September 16. 2022
13 years 10 months 29 days
You came into our lives as the only girl with five older brothers! Destined from the beginning of time to be ours!
Paloma had a wonderful life - she was an AKC Grand Champion and earned her Junior Hunter title in four straight passes. She had one litter with Mojo (Baroque Vizslas) in 2012 - Bodhi, Harley, Battle, Kyra, Lily, and Sparrow. She loved
camping in the motorhome and taking long walks at the dog shows. She was a seasoned traveler, making several trips from Oregon to San Diego, Oregon to Tucson, Hollister to Sahuarita, Oregon to Colorado, Arizona to California, and camping spots around Arizona. But, most of all, she was a very loved member of our family!
Paloma developed sensitivities after we moved to Arizona in 2018. Over the last two years, she suffered from a recurring UTI which was treated with antibiotics. Because of the antibiotics, she developed vasculitis in the tips of her ears which was treated with Pentoxyfilline and low-dose prednisone. Her last UTI was in April and successfully treated after the culture revealed Klebsiella. She probably had four Cytopoint shots during that time but none since March. Her liver values increased so she went on Denamarin. She had one surgery in October 2019 to remove a low-grade MCT on her chest and significant lipoma from her rear left leg. She had one bout of pneumonia right after her birthday last year. We got her itching under control by removing most of her supplements and feeding only Royal Canin Hydrolized Protein food beginning last March and her ears had finally healed.
I noticed her hip bones were really showing about four weeks ago. I tried to add extra calories, staying true to her restrictive diet. I recently went to Oregon for five days (Sept 1 - 5) and came home to her not wanting to keep her eye open. A Vet visit on Sept 9th revealed a diagnosis of Horner's Syndrome and cachexia, muscle atrophy. The bones of her spine had now revealed themselves - she had lost 4 pounds since her last visit in July. I knew she was tired when she fell asleep on the examination table. Her liver values had also risen despite being on Denamarin for almost a year. Her liver x-ray showed no masses but it was bright. (I'm still not sure what that means.) Anyway, the Vet told me to add eggs to her diet so we did that for the next week. It wouldn't stop her from wasting away but it would slow it down. Some days she would hold her eye open - sometimes it was with extra excitement in the house or right after eating her scramble eggs - which she LOVED! She gave me little glimmers of hope which would be dashed a little later when she'd sleep for hours.
On Thursday, she turned her nose up at the eggs, perhaps it was still too early in the day, she was a late morning eater so I tried something else. I finally gave in and just gave her whatever she would eat. Thursday was filled with all the things she hadn't been able to have since March and boy did she enjoy that! I stopped all meds but her prednisone and recently prescribed gabapentin. We took little walks in front of the house and on the side yard. On Thursday night the whole family ate dinner together and she had real chicken, fries, and ice cream. She also might have gotten a little bit of frosting from Josh's birthday cake! Sissy Bree spent the night just to be with Paloma. On Friday, Sissy Ai came over as did Aunty Sarah. I'm so glad she was able to see all her people. Friday afternoon came too fast for me and I know it was the right time to let her go but, still. We love deep which makes it so hard to let go but at the same time knowing because of that love, we didn't want her to suffer needlessly. Perhaps she had cancer somewhere, I'll never know and that's okay.
Around 3pm or so, on September 16th, cradled in my lap, with Marc, Brianna, and Aislinn alongside, Paloma flew into Heaven as the Dove she was, compassionately assisted by her Arizona Vet, Dr. Kay Dennis. In our hearts, you shall remain.
We love you, Paloma ~ Forever and Always
Bear with me - the day was full of symbolism. September 16th was the 44th anniversary of my youngest brother's passing. Paloma's name translated from Spanish is Dove. Imagine in your mind, Paloma running, turning into a dove, and flying into the arms of my brother to whom I have just given the best present ever but only until I get there.
The blanket at the Vet's office looked like one Bree used to have for Battle; I took Sparrow's blanket that has lots of sparrows on it for Paloma to lay on and the room was decorated with hummingbird wall art - Sparrow's totem. To say I was getting all kinds of reassurances is putting it mildly. And, okay, now you know I'm a crazy dog mom. Love you all and thank you for letting me talk about and share photos of Paloma with you.
