Dakota's Story (Aug 18, 1998 - May 21, 2004)

[Poetic_thing]

I need to tell you about my baby, my heart is so heavy and the pain is so intense. This is Dakota’s story…

First off I had never experienced a boxer in my life, my husband had a brindle as a young boy and he had always wanted another one. We had a 1 year old miniature pinscher and thought yeah maybe now is a good time. So in October of 1998 we got a flashy fawn female, this was supposed to be his girl. But something magical happened when we brought her home - the two of us formed a bond unlike any other I have ever seen. She became Mommy's baby, she was my heart, she was my baby girl.

We did everything together. She slept with us (Daddy, big brother Riley & Mommy). She danced and she sang when we came home from work, she gave those wonderful boxer kisses & hugs, she rolled over for us for belly rubs. I loved coming home to see her, her butt wiggled so hard, I kept telling her it was going to fall off one day!!

I knew every movement, look and sound she made. She knew mine as well. We never had to even speak to one another…we just knew! Dakota was always glued to my side. We went for bike rides and walks, runs and rollerbladed. Sunday mornings she went for car rides and cruellers with Daddy. She was my 60 pound lap dog and sat in my lap every chance she got (which was often). When I called her name and patted my chest, she used to fly through the air and jump up into my arms – knowing I would catch her and never let her fall. She loved being held like that, she could see everything, she had a bird’s eye view (short as it was).

January 2001 she became incontinent, mostly at night. The vet said she probably just had weak bladder muscles as she was a female and fixed. She went on medication and things seemed to get better. We decreased her water intake at night. We did have to increase her medication a couple times but we dealt with it all.

She then started to get sick and for the past 6 months she didn't seem to be herself. She played less, slept more and just wanted to cuddle a lot. I talked to another vet who suggested some testing.

January 2003 the testing was done...she had Chronic Renal Failure. We were devastated. My new vet told us that her dog had the same thing and she got 2 wonderful, solid years out of her just by changing her food. So we did the same and began to pray for the best for our baby girl.

Dakota improved overnight, she was eating well, no longer getting sick, playing and looking so good. A couple months later, after more tests – she became anemic. Her body no longer wanted to produce the red blood cells that she needed to keep going. One of the options was to give her Eprex injections to help her body produce the red blood cells she needed. The vet thought maybe a few injections would boost her back up and all would be well. Turns out she needed them on a regular basis. We learned how to give the injections and we took Dakota for blood tests every 3-4 weeks to keep an eye on her red blood cell levels. All in all, aside from the needles Dakota did great for year.

January 2004 she started to crash, the toxins were up in her system, she was getting sick and was very lethargic. Our vet suggested an IV flush. This meant she would need an IV line and have to stay at the vets for 3-5 days. I couldn’t leave her there all day and night, so my vet left the catheter in her and wrapped her leg so she could come home. For 3 days we took her to the office, she got an IV line on and stayed all day to allow the bag flush out the toxins. Day 3 we tested her blood and the toxins were lowered (not as much as we had hoped) but Dakota was looking better and seemed to have her bounce back again.

It was right after that (days actually) she decided she didn’t want to eat her new Ultra low protein/phosphorous KD food nor drink. She started to lose weight and she started to have seizures. I was up with her all night for days. She was crashing and we thought there was no way out this time. We called to make an appointment on Saturday to have her put to sleep – my vet wasn’t in, so we made an appointment for Monday. I thank God my vet wasn’t in, because that night I decided she had to eat, she was just too weak. She could no longer jump off the bed or go down the stairs, we carried her. So I made her some potato soup and toast, she sniffed and licked and then success – she ate it all. She got some energy that night and started to do better. The seizures slowed down and became less and less. By Sunday night I told my husband I couldn’t keep her appointment, Dakota was back!! I continued to make her food, beef barley soup, chicken noodle soup, egg scrambles. Things where I could control the protein and phosphorous as much as I could. She was doing great.

March 2004 she started to get rashes on her feet and they were itchy and sore. Back to the vet for more testing…allergies. What more was my precious baby girl going to have to endure? Her diet now consisted of potatoes / rice and lamb / venison with veggies. Things got better slowly, life was good. Summer was coming (Our favorite time of the year)!! I just wanted her to make it through the summer – she loved lazing in the sun, chasing the birds and just being outside.

May 2004 – Dakota was having trouble controlling her bladder. Ever place she laid, left a wet spot. A diaper wasn’t an option as this embarrassed her (we tried once). Her breath was getting really bad because of the toxins building up in her system again. She was losing her appetite and no longer wanted to drink. She just wanted to sleep and be cuddled by me or daddy. My husband and I discussed things and decided we couldn’t put her through anymore. She had endured more than any dog should ever have to. She was the bravest baby I knew. Even with all her troubles, she made us smile and laugh and kissed away our tears. She was truly an angel here on earth.

May 21, 2004 I called and spoke with our vet at 9:30 a.m. to confirm what I already knew what it was that we had to do. We made an appointment at 3:45 p.m.. My husband and I took turns sitting with her all day. We just held, talked and petted her, we wanted her last day to be filled with love, comfort and companionship – it was all that there was left that we could do for her. When it was time, we got her blanket and told her we needed to go see the doctor. She jumped off the couch and raced to the door, she wasn’t afraid even though I believe she knew what was going on.

Once at the vet, I lifted my girl onto the table for them to prep her leg for an IV line. I then carried her back into the room (she now only weighed about 46 lbs.) where my husband and I sat with her on the bench and held her while the vet told us what to expect and that it didn’t take long. Mid way through the procedure, my baby girl brought her muzzle to my chin and looked into my eyes as if to say “I love you and thanks for all you’ve done”. She then slowly laid her head down in my arms and crossed over the bridge to become my angel in heaven looking down over us all.

My husband and I held her and rocked her and told her we loved her. I was so sorry I couldn’t do more for her, but her poor little body just couldn’t take anymore. She was 3 months short of her 6th Birthday.

I have learnt so much from my girl in the very short time we had together. Before having a boxer, I couldn’t imagine what it could be like having one in your life…now it hurts living without one.

I miss my baby girl so much I still cry, but I try to focus on all the love, joy and laughter that she brought into my life. I want to have another boxer baby, but I’m scared that I won’t have the kind of bond that I did with Dakota, especially now that my mother-in-law lives with us and is at home all day while my husband and I are at work.

Thanks for reading our story, I’m hoping one day my heart won’t ache so much and that I’ll find my bond with another boxer baby.

We love you Dakota, you will forever be in our hearts.
Love Mommy, Daddy and Riley

[MizBev]

What a truly touching story. It sounds like Dakota was your world and a piece of your heart crossed over the bridge with her. I am very sorry for the grief that you are all feeling right now, but please take some comfort, however small, in knowing that you did everything you could for your sweet girl and that she is now running pain free and healthy at the Bridge. And, oh she is in such wonderful company. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Bev, Five and Tyson

[WYearta]

OMG, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I am literally sitting at work typing this through tears. I will think of you and your husband through this difficult time.
(((((HUGS)))))

Godspeed Dakota

Whitney and Boomer

[ljnash]

I'm so sorry about Dakota. It is so painfully hard to have to help our babies to the bridge, but it's a blessing that you could be there with her. I know it was such a comfort to her to have you and your husband holding her while she peacefully passed.

I hope it comforts you to know that she is out of pain now, and free of needles, etc. so she can run and play all day while she waits to meet you!

Godspeed Dakota

Lenore, Samantha & Beau

[Kbryant]

What a beautiful and sad story. I had to leave for a while to compose myself and come back to reply. If I am like this, I cannot even imagine how much you hurt. I am so very sorry for your loss. I can't possibly imagine it and can't come up with a single word that expresses how truly sorry I feel for you. It's so obvious, you clearly loved your baby and she loved you back and it was a wonderful relationship cut way too short. Again, I am so sorry. I hope that some day you do get another boxer baby. I cannot imagine my life without one. I am only 38 and have terrible arthritis so I am afraid that I may not be able to have one some day since they are so strong but I just can't imagine not having one. I hope that some day you can find very different love from another dog but still, love all the same. You could honor your lost baby by giving so freely of your love to another deserving baby. All my best to you.
karen

[rog1006]

What a touching tribute to Dakota...she must have been one amazing little girl. Thank you for sharing your story with us...it's a beautiful story of love What a wonderful life you all gave her!

Christine

[Holden's Mom]

A beautiful tribute to one very special boxer girl. I am so sorry for your loss.

Godspeed Dakota.

Pam and Pete

[Teressa]

Please excuse any typos. but it is really hard to type with tears running down your cheeks. What a beautiful tribute. She was a lucky girl to have you. I know exactly what you are saying about getting another one. Believe me, they all take a special section of your heart. I was really worried I would never be able to love again, but it does happen. The one I have now is so goofy. The time will be right for another, trust me on this one. May you find peace and comfort soon. Teressa

[Vela]

I'm typing through tears. That was a beautiful tribute to your baby. I am so sorry for you pain. She must have had a wonderful life with a mom and dad who would move heaven and earth for her. You were truly blessed to have such a wonderful companion and she was truly belssed to have you. She will be there waiting for you.

[robynkendall]

What a truly beautiful tribute to Dakota. Thank you for sharing your story.

Robyn

[Cindy Creel]

I am typing with tears streaming down my cheeks. What a lovely and deeply touching story. Oh how we can love these beautiful creatures. I can feel your pain as I read your words. I have been where you are, and it is not easy to say good-bye to our babies. I will pray that your sorry will life and be replaced by the joy of her memory.

Cindy

[Poetic_thing]

Thank you to everyone for reading Dakota's Story...your kind and thoughtful words are helping to heal our pain. We will never forget Dakota and we will miss her always. In time we will get another boxer baby to bring into our lives to share our love with. In the meantime, we have our little Riley guy who continues to bed hop and sleep with whatever body is in bed (he's such traitor )

God Bless & keep those boxer babies safe!!