Category: Agility

My Little “Misty” Girl (October 10, 2013 – August 4, 2017)

Christine (Tina) M. Armbrust1 Comment

My little Misty… She was a very kind, gentle, Husky mix – Misty (3)who was my “runner.”. I have her birthday as October, 2003 – although I wasn’t real sure since she came from the shelter. She took an agility class once… since she was such a fast runner (I even had to put a GPS on her collar so when she “broke out” I would be able to track her!!) but because she had hip dysplasia pretty significantly – we didn’t continue with agility as she would come back from class very sore. So her job was to keep calmness in my house of “boys” – Baby Jake, Sir Lukas and Courageous Kaiden – and to guard the front and the side of the house (Jake had the back and other side!!)!

Misty (1)This past Monday (July 31, 2017)… she had trouble getting up and appeared to be in some pain when helped up. She stopped eating Tuesday night… which truly wasn’t like her (she was as focused on food as Sir Lukas is… and so you know what that is like!!). I ended up taking her to MedVet on Thursday afternoon (August 3, 2017) as she still just wasn’t right… and still hadn’t eaten. Did blood work (had it done just two weeks earlier at my vets) and there were significant changes that looked like it could be issues with her kidneys. Recommended an ultrasound – which we had done Friday afternoon. The results showed that there were not any major significant issues with her kidneys but there was fluid in the abdomen. They drew some fluid out and determined it was coming from the GI tract. Felt confident that there was a GI perforation. Exploratory surgery would be needed to find it and repair it. The GI perforation – they felt – most likely happened as a result of being on Carprofen (Rimadyl) for some time due to her issues with her hip and shoulder… we would have blood work done to make sure the liver+ were not being impacted – but a GI perforation?? Who would know…

She was nearly 14 years old… and I was concerned that she would not make it throughMisty (2) the procedure or the recovery process. Also was going to be an issue controlling her pain… since she was so sensitive to drugs (i.e. tramadol, gabepenten, etc.) for her hip and shoulder. So the decision was made to let her move on…

I was able to take “the boys” to MedVet… visit her one more time and we all were present when she passed. Jake and Lukas were close… but gave her space; Kaiden laid down facing her… nose to nose… and pawed at her face. Very touching… When she passed… I was confident they knew it by the way they acted. I have never done this before… taking the other dogs. I think if at all possible – I will do that every time. It felt very right.

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Shadow (L) and Misty (R) 

For me… it has been a very rough year for my pups. My Shadow passed – a beautiful black German Shepherd – and a very kind leader of her family of pups – a little over a year ago at the age of 16. Then there was Micah in early June… and now Misty – who was nearly 14 years old. I am very tired…

Misty girl… join your buddies/your family over the Rainbow Bridge – Michael; Kelly; Rocky; Shadow; and Micah – run free little girl – without your GPS!! We’ll meet once again! I miss you so… we all miss you so! I miss you all!

Another Way of Remembering “Mighty Micah”; How I miss him…

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

Micah at Latrobe (June 1-2 trial)I think the reason I miss that little boy so much is because I took care of him… worried about him… for so long.  The last month of his life… we were in a routine.  I would feed  him six times a day in his feeding tube.   The times were… 6:00p; 8:00p; 10:00p; 2:00a; 4:00a; and 6:00a.   It was easier on the weekends because I could feed through the day. The weekend before he passed away – he came with me to Latrobe.  He was active… he was attentive to the surroundings.   I would feed him and then we would take a nap…  Lukas and Micah in their crates… me on the floor.

When I would feed him at home, we did it on the bed.  I would stand beside the bed and he would walk up and stop waiting for me to lift him up.  He wasn’t able to jump anymore on the bed – he was too weak.  He was too weak, too, to climb the stairs up to the bed.  Then he would turn and look at me… waiting for me to take his tube down.  He would just lay down and sleep… as I fed  him.

I emailed Dr. Spracklen to tell her I had left a message and hadn’t heard anything back.  She responded with “I was sorry to hear of Micah’s passing.  He was a gentle spirit.”  He was…

I made a canvas to remember him…  took some pictures and placed the order at Walgreens.  This is what it looked like…  it included baby pictures, agility pictures and pictures with Lukas.  If you take each row and count them as 1.2.3. – 4.5. – 6.7.8.  We have the following pictures…  1 (8 weeks); 2 (his first agility trial – April, 2017); 3 (at a Red Roof when he was a young dog – Lukas trialing); 4 and 5 was at Dexter in December, 2016.  Picture 6 (his first trial – April, 2017); 7 (Lukas 28th C-ATCH at the end of March) and 8 (his last trial in Dayton – first weekend in May, 2017).

A gentle spirit… “Mighty Micah”

Canvas (June 18, 2017) - Remembering

Thank you to the Vet Techs and Receptionists

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Thank You Vet Techs and ReceptionistsI am still dealing with Micah’s passing.  It surprises me that he still haunts me.  I am dealing with my grief by thanking those who have helped him.  Created a thank you note to the vet…  didn’t want to forget the vet techs and receptionists who worked so hard with us too.  I created a card for them too…  so often folks forget the support people in an organization.  I wanted to remember them…

It was good to review his pictures… some of when he appeared healthy.  I don’t ever recall grieving so for a dog.  He was only in my life for 13.5 months…  I think of him often and sometimes – see him in the house.  Could that be??

 

Thank You Note to Dr. McGuffin

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Picture to Dr McGuffinJune, 2017

Dear Dr. McGuffin,

I want to take this time to thank you for trying to help “Mighty Micah.”  To me – he was such a special little one.  He was such a thinker…  so, attentive to learning and adapting to new things as he was introduced to agility… and introduced to the challenges of his life.  He was part of my family and my life.  He was so very loved and although it was not the final outcome I had hoped for – and although our time together was short – my sweet little boy entered my heart and taught me much.    He was such a gift!

I also want to thank you for the many gifts you have given me (and my pups)…  you gave us the gift of time with Micah, you gave us the gift of hope, and finally – you gave me the gift of knowing that I was not alone in fighting this terrible disease.  I will forever be appreciative for those gifts.

I am glad that our paths have crossed.  When I asked God for help… it was you he sent me.  It has been an honor to work with you.

Sincerely,

Tina Armbrust and the Pups

(Lukas, Misty and Baby Jake)

 

P.S.  Enjoy the wine and the photo [so you won’t ever forget us (and the many many emails)  Tee Hee!  Tee Hee!]

Micah’s Passing – Posted on Facebook on June 7, 2017 @ 10:38p.m.

Christine (Tina) M. ArmbrustLeave a comment

I want to thank you all for your many words of kindness regarding Micah’s passing this past Tuesday. My heart aches so… these past few months my life has truly revolved around his schedule and his needs and there is an emptiness now.

As many of you know Micah had IBD… was doing well and then had a major flare up which started the middle/end of March. It progressed to where in spite of him receiving 750-1000 calories a day – he was still losing weight due to the malabsorption. He went from 21.7 lbs. to under 14 lbs. Our last-ditch effort was to do a fecal microbiota implant – which has been found to effectively change the microbiome to create the environment that exists in a healthy GI tract thus allowing it to work properly. They do this in humans as a treatment. He went in Tuesday… made it through the procedure… went through recovery – was awake and appeared to be doing well. Went into the crate to rest… they checked on him the next round and he had passed. What I believed happened… he had had so much muscle loss due to the illness that his heart – a muscle – was also affected and just gave out. I miss him so… he truly truly fought a “mighty” fight… take care “Mighty Micah!” We will meet again … until then – know that you were loved by Lukas, Misty, Baby Jake – and me!I

 

Micah’s Passing – Posted on Facebook (June 6, 2017 @ 4:30p)

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It is with great sadness that I share with you that Mighty Micah passed away today at the age of 17 months. I will miss him so… his stay here with me, Lukas, Misty and Baby Jake was all too short. We will miss him so… I am so very sad.

Three Days After the Feeding Tube (May, 2017)

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Micah is doing much better. I discovered that when they weighed him for the procedure – he actually had gone down to 15.28lbs. from 21.7lbs. The feedings are going well… anMicah Sleeping (May, 2017)d he is eating also his own food in the bowl by mouth too – rabbit. We are getting into a routine… in the three days – he has gained a half of pound and now weighs 15.9lbs. Heading in the right direction!! The feedings and prep take about 30-40 minutes. We have started to exercise just a bit now, too… starting to work on his muscles (not too much though right now). He was awful weak. It may take some time… but I know that Mighty Micah will be back!!!

Micah’s Condition Worsens (May 18, 2017)

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Micah (May 18, 2017).jpgMighty Micah had a flare up with his IBD… and has been very ill for the last couple weeks. His weight has plummeted from 21.4 lb. to 15.7 lbs. Eating had been very difficult. His blood work was challenging… I truly thought I was going to lose him.

Today starts a new adventure… we had a feeding tube – an e-tube – put in in order to be able to control how much food he is getting. He can also eat through his mouth if he so desires… but now I know he will be getting nutrients. I was so frightened for him… but hopefully he will be true to his name – “Mighty Micah” – will recover to run another day. Thank you to all who have listened to me these past few weeks… it truly has been tough on us!!

Micah and his trip to Dr. Spracklen

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Micah and I went to Dr. Spracklen’s Office today to have a food evaluation.  Most everything he was eating…  either wasn’t for him or there was something potentially better for him.  His Zukes’ Rabbit treats… they were OK.  Some of it I already knew…  the Sweet Potato and Venison and the Selected Protein Adult PR Kibble – he didn’t like much and she said it wasn’t good for him.  The Wild Calling Rabbit… and Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Patties plus the No Hide Salmon Chew – a no go.

She made mention that he is “not doing well” with his intestinal tract (large/small) operating at about 30%.  His coat/fur is not very good either.  He is out of balance…  I think she said “damp, hot, yin” but I could be mistaken.  It is at these times that I wished I had recorded what she said.  She picked up the food…  got near him… and after a time – would say “yes” “no” “maybe.”

I told her I was doing agility with him… she looked puzzled and asked me how his energy level was.  I responded – that this week – he was good the first day.  The second day… he seemed a little edgy, not really wanting to run the first two runs – until I put him in the car to be in “a quiet space.”

OK…  all I want him to do is eat, gain weight, and get healthy.  She talked some more of how he was not in balance… that he is in a very serious state…  and that we would need to start on the dehydrated foods (turkey) first… with some turkey in addition – as they are not made worse by “processing.”

She wants me to bring his medicines next time too… plus what he has been eating.  I will stay pure to the food.   Our next appointment is May 17, 2017 at 1:30p.

Mighty Micah’s Agility Career Begins…

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Micah (April 2, 2017)Mighty Micah started his agility career in Cincinnati under Brenda Gilday at Unleashed Agility on April 1 and April 2, 2017.  He had had his 15 month birthday on March 21, 2017 and could officially start his career.  I went to Cincinnati because I thought his measurement would be close… it was not.  He measured 16″ – actually about 1.5 inches taller.  I was very concerned as I thought because of his health issue it might be difficult for him to jump that high.  It doesn’t appear to be… as you can see.

The biggest problem is has right now – is me!  I have to remember that he does not yet have the skills of Lukas.  He’s a “baby dog!”  He seems to enjoy running with me.  He is very intense!  He presently is very handler focused… but this will change with experience.  Micah (April 2, 2017) - Two on-Two off

His contacts are strong…  his start line stay is pretty good.  His weaves are coming…

We went to a “practice trial” today.  He did well.  I must be certain to give him the turning cue.  He ran by me several times on a front cross because I didn’t tell him we were turning early.  My early commands are fairly good…

I think he is on his way to be a good dog…  I must keep working so that we will become a GREAT team!  Not there yet…  go figure – it’s only the second week of trialing!!  It took Lukas and I years…