Monday I said goodbye to my best friend.
Otis had been struggling lately with some pain we had attributed to arthritis, but after his decline this weekend we assume he was actually dealing with some type of tumor, possibly in the spinal cord. He was pretty lethargic and unlike himself starting Saturday morning. By Monday morning he could barely walk and was in so much pain he wouldn’t even lay next to me or dish out any kisses.
We fought hard and long to get him back from Pemphigus and I’m grateful for the additional years we had. This all happened so quick that I’m still trying to accept the fact that he’s no longer here. His pain is gone and I’m grateful for that, but I would give so much to have a few more days, weeks…or really years.
I lost my sous chef, my sleeping partner, my bathroom stalker, my greeter, my shadow and a big part of my joy. To say my heart is broken is an understatemet. My heart is shattered.
I hope this blog continues to help others and that Otis will always be an inspiration to those fighting against Pemphigus. I will forever miss this guy.
I am so sorry to hear about Otis . You and Otis helped us to know that Pemphigus can be controlled . Your blog has helped so much .
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m literally in tears right now for you. I want to thank you for helping us battle this disease with your site. Rest in Peace, Otis.
Unconditional love is always hard to lose. My heart is with you.
I am in tears as you describe your love for Otis. You two were so helpful to Sidney and I as we struggled with the Pemphigus. I’m sure Sidney met Otis and greeted him as a friend. My hearts breaks with yours. Amy
I’m so sorry about your loss 😦 Thank you or your blog, it helped me and my boxer Rosa, she’s recovering although we also count additional time and soon might say goodbyes too.
Otis is now in animal’s heaven and is happy with all the doggie treats and his all friends. Looking now at you from above.
We are so sorry for the loss of your precious boy. Our girl, Virginia, battled pemphigus beginning in May 2013. She’s still on maintenance meds but is doing great! We call these our “bonus days” because, frankly, she may not have been with us if we had not found this site and Otis’s story. She was so pitiful and could hardly walk due to the ravages of this disease. We were about to give up when we found this site and saw what your husband said…”he’s still in there”. We knew we had to keep fighting for our girl. Today, she runs like the wind. We know we can’t keep her forever but we cherish every single day and are thankful that you cared enough to share Otis’s story and give us the hope that we needed when we were about to give up. There were many times that my husband and i would remind each other of Otis and not to give up hope. The bonus days are the best days. God bless you for caring enough to share the wonder that was Otis. We mourn his loss but bless his life and what it meant to two strangers (and an amazing beagle) from Tennessee. Thank you…and thank sweet, strong, amazing Otis…Chris and Lesa Hayes.
Oh my… I’m bawling at my desk! Thank you for this. Some days are harder than others, still months later, and this is one of those days. My tears are sad for me, and yet, happy for you. I agree with the bonus days, I always felt that way with Otis.
I’ve said multiple times that this is exactly why I wrote this and if it helped even one dog, it was worth it.
Thank you again for your kind words, they mean more than you will ever know.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Our 10-month old puppy is just starting his battle with Pemphigus and we are heartbroken. Thank you so much for writing your blog and letting us know we are not alone.
I am so happy I found your blog as our 7 year old bulldog is battling phemphigus I am also so sad as tears fall down my face reading about your loss of Otis. Our dogs are our babies and I can tell from reading your blog you share that same love with Otis. I dread the day we loose our babies but I hope we can get him to a good place with this disease.
Nicole,
My two year old cockapoo was diagnosed with pemphigus in September! If you ever need any ideas, or have any ideas to share, please feel free. I am becoming frustrated, because my pup has had some abnormal CBC tests and we have hit a plateau (have been at this plateau since November-ish). She’s not getting worse, but not getting better, and each time we decrease her steroid, she has new lesions pop up.
I remember stumbling upon your blog when my Bella was first going through the initial stages of pemphigus, and I stumbled upon it again after doing a google search for the new medication she was put on.
First off, my heart breaks for you and your loss of Otis. Although it’s been almost a year since your loss, I’m sure those wounds are still fresh and painful for you.
Secondly, I am so happy I found your blog (twice), as it gives me a renewed sense of “We’ve got this” attitude. Bella initially was on high doses of prednisone and azathioprine, which we saw improvement within 4 weeks; however, each time we try to decrease the prednisone, she becomes super itchy, and sometimes has new lesions pop up. In addition, the CBC done at her yearly checkup for immunizations showed that 3/5 of her liver enzymes were elevated, anemia, and high white blood cells (more than likely the result of a bladder infection). Ahhh! Talk about a major setback. We monitored her on the lower dose of prednisone (1 pill 2x a day), and if the itchiness increased, we would switch steroids. Well, now she is on triam tabs in lieu of the prednisone, and she is still itchy, if not worse. She also has a potent topical steroid that I put on the lesions (but sometimes I forget, or just avoid it because Bella fights me so much).
My biggest fear is that we won’t be able to decrease her steroid any, which will affect her lifespan. She’s only two years old, and cockapoos generally live to for 12+ years. Seeing how bad your Otis looked initially helps me with my fears.
I hope you have gotten a new furbaby to love, as Otis would want that. He knows how you were great to him, and he would want you to share that love with another lucky pup!
Thank you for your kindness. There honestly isn’t a day I don’t miss my guy but I can do it with less tears now.
Have you tried a different steroid? Pred was always hard on Otis. Triamcinolone did wonders for us, little more expensive but not nearly as hard on his body.
Best wishes for you and your pup. Keep me updated!!
Just saw your part about triam. Reading on phone never good! 🙂
Keep with it and hopefully she’ll adjust.