My Taquito: Very Important Reminders to ALL DKers

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I posted something about this in the Food Group today, a group I try to stay active in (and by try, I mean, try while working full time and caring for a 17 month old human child, husband and two dogs).  I realized this would serve as an important time for me to remind you all about a few things:

 

1. Buy pet insurance for your dog while he/she is young. NOW.

2. Carefully verify the sources of ingredients for the food and treats you feed your doodles.  Their life could depend on it.  Join the Food Group if you have not already.

 

I say this with a heavy heart as my Chihuahua, Taquito, likely will be passing to Rainbow Ridge in the near future - and he's only 10 (quite young in chi years!).  We might get another few months, heck, maybe a year, but I am not counting on it and will be trying to relish every moment I have with his precious soul before then. 

 

In 2007, during the summer of recalls (think food/treats tainted with melamine from China), I bought some Waggin' Train chicken treats from Costco. T. was actually on good food, but I assumed "Made in USA" meant safe.  I was wrong.  He barely survived, was down to 4 pounds (that's like a 140 lb woman losing 70 lbs) and shortly after, blood results showed kidney disease.  I didn't have pet insurance and let's just say that ever since that incident, I've spent upwards of $5,000 on him.  To keep him alive! 

 

I've been successful with home cooking and made his past few years very comfortable and managed the disease.  Lately, however, his appetite has been waning and I have known, deep down, things were not good.  He went in for his 6 month blood workup Saturday and I got the results today.  His BUN levels have doubled (not good for kidney function) and vet gave him about 3-6 months.  We are going to start him on sub-q fluids (water packs) once a month to flush his system and try to rid some of the toxins that are building up.  We may get some more time with him, but I will likely have a hard decision in front of me.  I have lost family pets, but this will be MY first pet to lose and it's just unbearable to think about. I will not let him suffer and I will hold him in my arms when he leaves this earth. He deserves that - after all, he was my only roommate for 4 years, he was their when I got engaged, got married, brought Peri home, bought a house, became pregnant, had my daughter.  My friends sang a song about him at my rehearsal dinner - said that DH would never take the place of Taquito. You get the picture.  Best friend.

 

But in the meantime, enough with the pity party!  Please buy pet insurance for your dogs - I was fortunate enough to have funds to keep him alive and get another BEAUTIFUL SEVEN YEARS with my number 1 cuddler!  But don't make yourself get in that situation ($ vs. saving a life). 

 

And for the love of all animals, do not buy from the big box dog food/treat companies!!!  Please join our Food Group immediately and take the advice seriously.

 

Much love to my DK family!  Although I am not here as much, I do check in and care about this community DEEPLY.

 

Allyson (and Taquito and doodle sis Peri).

[DonMarie and Picco]

I do have pet insurance and because of my own food issues, I've become picky about my dogs diet too. This site has been very helpful for choosing a good food - Thanks all!  Enjoy what time you have left with Taquito!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Thanks to DK I have pet insurance for Haley and am very careful about food and treats.

I am sorry that you and Taquito are going through this.  Having lost three cats (all elderly) to kidney failure, I can only imagine what you are going through.  Sending positive thoughts and prayers for you and you best friend.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thank you for sharing this and emphasising the importance of taking out insurance as early as possible. So sorry to hear that Tacky's health is starting to slip. Hugs and good wishes to you and thank you for all that you do in the all important food group.

[DJ & Chance]

What an important message.  Thank you!  And hugs to you and Taquito.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Some of us know Tacky's story very well and it keeps us vigilant when buying dog food and treats . We are grateful for that. I hope Tacky manages to get some more good years in.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Sending hugs and prayers your way for you and Tacky.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Ally, I'm thinking of you and your family and Taquito. Hugs. 

[Kyoko]

I am so sorry to hear about this Allyson... Sending prayer for Taquito.... {{{{Hugs....}}}}

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I love you, Ally. Sending strength and positive energy to you and Tacky.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Allyson, I am so sorry about your little Taquito. Thanks for the reminder about pet insurance. So important. Taquito certainly got lucky the day you brought him home. I hope the time you have left with Taquito is all good! Hugs to both of you!