Jasmine

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Today, I, alone with 3 other classmates (plus Jasmine's mom) stayed at school for a total of 14 hours. We were staying to support a dear classmate with the euthanasia of her beloved doggy, Jasmine. Jasmine was in end stage congestive heart failure. She would have constant coughing fits, and gasp for air. That was extremely hard to watch/hear.

So tonight, at about 7:30, Dr. B (VT program DVM), along with two RVT instructors, alone with six supportive classmates including myself, said goodbye to dear Jasmine.

Oh it was quite a tear fest. Everyone in the room was crying.

Jasmine started her life off as a puppy mill breeder dog a little south of here. She was then rescues, and put up for adoption at NIKI animal rescue. The rescue told my classmate that she had a heart murmur, and "not to worry about it, she'll be fine". Well, she is fine now, because she is pain free. I can't even tell you how much money my classmate has spent on diagnostics, medication, and general veterinary visits- all for Jas. But, as she told Jasmine (through intense crying) that she would do it all over again.

I have animal care this week- (clean litter boxes, feed/water/love the resident cats & guinea pig in the VT lab, sweep, clean, etc in the lab at school). I have to be there by 7:15am in order to be done with animal care before class starts at 8. I got home at about 9:30. I was there for 14 hours, not because I had to, but because I WANTED to. I had to be there for Jasmine, and her dear mommy.

She's only had Jasmine for two years, but it only takes about a month to develop such an inseparable bond between an animal. NO ONE could have given Jasmine a better life. She loved that dog so very much. My classmate was not complete without her little pal, Jasmine.

She was SO brave tonight, and I'm very proud of my friend.

RIP Jasmine. You WILL be missed.

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm sorry about Jasmine. My thoughts going out to your friend. It's so hard to lose our furbabies. Your friend showed Jasmine what love is, if only for a few years.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Rest In Peace Jasmine Play hard at the bridge Sweetheart.

I think it was such a nice thing to do to be with Jasmine and her Mom when Jasmine went to the bridge. You are an angel. I know Jasmine's Mom will never forget your thoughtfulness.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Thanks you two.

I was chatting with Jasmine's mommy last night via facebook chat. I let her know what an awesome mommy she was, and that she was SO brave. She also told me, "I hope you know that because of what you have done for me, we are going to be friends for a long time". That made me cry. She has been through SO much.... losing her best pal really took a toll on her.
This morning while at animal care at school, I brought along Rita, my classmate wanted to see her. My dad let her go out of the truck, and she made a bee line straight to my classmate, and jumped and gave her a kiss. It was so good to know that my girl was able to make her smile.

My classmate also gave me a box full of Jasmine's food, her leash, two sweaters, and her heart medicine that she could not bare to hold on too.

She said that she is finally relieved.

[Freedom]

In so many ways, Jasmine was a lucky one: she got out of a mill and knew a home life with love. And she had the opportunity to give love in return.

Run free, Jasmine, free forever now!

Hugs to you and especially, to Jasmine's humom.

[luvofallhorses]

I'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with your friend. What a wonderful friend you are being there. (((hugs))) RIP sweet Jasmine.

[Taz_Zoee]

That is very sad that your classmate had to put down her beloved dog. You are a really good friend for all you did for Jasmine and her mom during this tough time.
I smiled through the tears when I read Rita made her smile. It's like Rita knew she needed some love right then. It's so amazing what dogs know and feel.

RIP Jasmine

[sabies]

So sorry to hear about Jasmine. My Sadie had a heart murmur which led to congestive heart failure but medication helped her and ultimately her kidneys gave out. From your description I think I'm glad Sadie went thru kidney failure. I would not want to see her gasp for air but really there is no good end.

I'm sorry your friend did not have Jasmine with her for long. I'm sure it was hard for her after fighting for Jasmine's health for so long. That's what was hard for me - letting go of the fight. It's hard to accept that at some point the body will fail and it's hard to switch gears and decide to end suffering. I hope your friend is doing ok. Time does help. Jasmine no longer suffers and she was loved her last 2 years - that means a lot.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It means a lot.

Jasmine's mommy, myself, plus 3 other classmates (Sadie too, she went to school with me today. We left Sadie and another classmates dog in the car, and checked on them every 20 minutes) took a short trip to the animal shelter in the area. The shelter is now in a new location, and oh my gosh, it is BEAUTIFUL, and I mean it lol! She spotted a dog, Katie, a 7 year old Akita and cattle dog mix on the shelters webpage yesterday afternoon. Katie spent most of her life tethered on a chain living outside. She was then adopted, and returned after awhile. The shelter then found out that Katie was being trained with very negative reinforcement corrections (snout being hit, ears being pinched etc). So, today after class we went and checked her out. It was very cute- Katie warmed up to her right away, even ended up sitting in her lap for a bit. It was very sweet.

She's looking for the right dog, and not wanting to get another dog on impulse, which is most definitely the right thing to do. She's going to think about it for awhile, and I'll let you all know if and when she decides to officially adopt Katie. One of the shelter dogs' caretakers was reviewing my classmates information, and asking questions about her previous dog experience, what kind of time she has for a dog, and her living information. She told the lady that the dog would not be left alone often, hardly ever- she took Jasmine to school almost every day. She said that Katie has a high prey drive (being a cattle dog mix) and is somewhat pushy around other dogs, wanting all of the attention. The prey drive thing should not be an issue- although we do have 5 residential cats living in the lab at school, she can always be kept on a leash (as Jasmine did) or put in a run in the back.

So we'll see if Katie is the one!

[*LabLoverKEB*]

She got a new dog on thursday!
His name is Petey, and he is a 5 year old Chihuahua/Terrier mix. Very sweet little boy. She was having a really hard time without a dog, and she did not want to just get a rebound dog. She wanted to find the perfect dog for her, and a dog that needed a home.
It's funny, she said she definitely didn't want another Chihuahua, and wanted a bigger dog (about 45-50 lbs). And then she found Petey- a tan Chihuahua, a little under 10 lbs.
Petey is a great little dog. He is a little underweight, as he was found as a stray, and the shelter had him a little over a week. We have 5 residential cats in the lab at school, so it's a great thing that he is not cat aggressive. Although he is food aggressive with other animals, (hey, he was a stray!), that's not a huge issue. Very affectionate little guy, he follows everyone around.

[Moesha]

I'm glad she found a dog that was a good match for her. We can not replace our loved fur ones, but knowing that we are helping another animal in need is a good feeling. And in return they help us heal as well.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I'm so sorry to hear about Jasmine. It sounds like Jasmine had a wonderful friend in your friend. It's never, ever easy to let go. Your friend and fellow classmate sounds lovely. On a lighter note, yay for Petey and his new mom! Congrats to her. It sounds like a perfect match

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh man
We (my classmates and I including Jasmine's mom) were sitting in lab after class reviewing surgical instruments. Petey was sitting on my classmates lap just relaxing. Out of nowhere, Petey (classmate's new Chihuahua) starts seizing. She starts freaking, trying to clam him down. I call program director/instructor right away and tell her to come to lab immediately, Petey is seizing. She was just in the VT office, so she was just down the hall aways and around the corner in the front of the school. Petey's eyes were dilated, then she proceeds to give him Valium rectally (works somewhat faster if given via a mucous membrane like the eyes, rectum, mouth, etc). He then starts to settle down somewhat. The instructor tells my classmate she needs to get Petey to the emergency clinic right away, and another classmate took her so she could concentrate on Petey.
Petey has not ingested anything toxic to her or any of our knowledge (he comes to school,w/ her every day, so he's really never left alone), has not been given any flea prevention medication, neither a flea dip (which could be toxic).

This is the LAST thing she needs right now. She is still very depressed over the loss of Jasmine.

PLEASE keep Petey in your thoughts, as well as my classmate.

[Alysser]

I am so sorry to hear about Jasmine and now poor Petey. I hope the little man is Okay and that this is one time thing!

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Petey has been officially diagnosed with epilepsy. So he will now be on phenobarbital, one of the main drugs prescribed to control seizures in dogs.

There are good things, and bad things about this. She really wanted another special needs dog. Well, now she has one. But, it's WAY too soon for this to come up. It's not Petey's fault, of course. If this were to happen while he was still at the shelter, he might have been euthanized. The good thing, is that I know she will take excellent care of Petey, just as she did for Jasmine, taking care of her CHF.


Here is a picture of little Petey
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs112...._7538294_n.jpg



ETA: She has gotten Jasmine's ashes back. She has a little display on her dresser for her urn, collar, and a picture. She also wrote a letter to Jasmine, and it was absolutely beautiful, straight from her heart.