Heartbroken loss

[Bren & Reagan]

Hi everyone,

Three weeks ago my sweet Bindi succumbed to masticatory muscle myositis, an autoimmune disease that affects the head muscles.  It is such a rare disease that my vet did not catch it in time.  I had never heard of it.  Bindi was a 5 year old labradoodle who filled my life with unconditional love and loyalty everyday.  She was a blessing that came into my life for such a brief period of time.  I originally took Bindi to her vet before Christmas with what was diagnosed as an eye infection.  We returned to the vet in late January for another "eye infection" and was prescribed the same eye medication.  Each time it cleared up the infection, however it came back again.  In Feb when it returned I took Bindi to an eye specialist and was given several meds to clear it up, however at this point her right eyeball was starting to drop in the socket.  It was suggested that I see an internist as she was also not able to open her mouth more then an inch.  The internist diagnosed her with MMM.  She was treated with steroids and to continue the eye meds.  In April the eye had started to drop even more and I brought her to a different eye specialist who said that she had gone blind in the right eye and was partially blind in the left eye. Unfortunately Bindi could not receive surgery to remove her eye because they could not put the necessary tube through her mouth.  (Her mouth could not be forced open.)  This is one of the most horrible diseases for a dog to get.  She had little muscle in her head towards the end and could not open her mouth more then 1/2 inch.  I took her to one more new vet to assure everything I could possible do was done for my precious dog.  My hope is that by explaining this it may help someone else's dog in the early stages.  The internist said that this was the first time he had seen a dogs eyes affected the way Bindi's were.  Usually it is the mouth and muscle loss in the top of the head.  He said that it can affect any dog, but very rare.  My sweet Bindi definitely took a part of my heart with her.  Bren

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

The loss of your best friend is never easy. So sorry for your loss. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss of sweet Bindi.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm so sorry to hear of Bindi's passing. It is so kind of you to think of us and other doodles and to post this information so we can learn from your horrible experience. May time and your memories of sweet Bindi heal your heart.

[Lynn D.]

Oh, I am so sorry. How horrible.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I am so very sorry Bren for your loss!  May all your special moments and loving memories with Bindi be forever in your heart!  Hugs, love and prayers to you!

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

I'm so sorry for your loss. *hugs* to your and your family. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

It is good to talk about it and share with others, but I know how hard it can be to decide to do this.  My two precious doodles also died way too early (7 years) and I felt like there should have been something I could have done differently.  The first one had liver disease and the second one cancer.  It is never easy.  When you feel ready, please adopt or rehome another dog who needs a friend like you.  It will make it much better for you and you can remember all the good times with Bindi.  There is an old saying, "It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all."  Bindi was your practice dog.  You will love again.  Hugs.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

 I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your beautiful girl Bindi. It is very thoughtful of you to share your story in hopes that it might help someone else diagnose in early stages.  Doodle hugs & prayers for you and your family at this very difficult time.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Heartbreaking, I am so sorry for this loss.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I too am so sorry for your loss.  When we lose them at such a young age it seems so senseless.   Please know that in time you will be able to allow another one to have a piece of your heart and still hold on to the love that you have for Bindi.  We lost our Sophie in March of last year and ended up getting little AnnaBelle sooner than we had planned in May.  Two things I learned from this was that it is really hard to be sad with a puppy in the house and our love for Sophie didn't end when we got AnnaBelle.  I hope that when the time is right a new puppy will find its way into your heart.  Thank you for sharing your story so the rest of us can be aware of this awful disease and maybe help another sooner should the symptoms start to show in another Doodle.  

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I'm so sorry, Bren. What a tragic, heartbreaking story. My thoughts are with you.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This surely is heartbreaking....I am so very sorry for your loss.  Thank you for sharing this insight....it may help others in the future.