My Knight

[HOOKED ON EM]

I am a new member to this wonderful and caring group of individuals who love this breed so much. I lost my boy the end of January to Blastomycosis. I have been reading the posts and noticed that another member also lost her boy Jacks (SarasMom) to the same disease.

My Drakkar was one month shy of his fifth birthday almost to the day when I had to make the decision to end his pain and suffering. Although he fought this disease with all his might and he never really complained, I knew he was suffering like all moms know. By the time we found out what it was it had already spread to his lungs, skin and bones.

It started with a little cough and he just was not himself between Christmas and New Years. He was eating fine but I kept my eye on him. I took his temperature and he had a bit of a fever so I took him to the emergency vet (since my clinic was closed during the holidays). He have him antibiotics and sent us home. They didn't seem to work, off we go to my vet clinic but my regular vet was still on holidays. The other vet gave him stronger antibiotics and prednizone. He seemed to be better. Then he started getting sores all over him. We couldn't figure out what was wrong. Perhaps an allergy? He was eating well! When my vet came back from holidays I took him to see her, she suggested I go to a Vet hospital so they could do all the tests on him. To make a long story short they did an xray and thought he had pnemonia. The vet took a sample and sent it away. In the meantime they shave my boys fur away from the big sores that were constantly seeping. I was in a state of shock when I saw him. I got more antibiotics and cream for his sores and thought OK I can deal with pnemonia. He was geting worse, he started limping and I could tell he was in pain. I stayed home from work for the month of Jan to be with him . I called my vet and said we had to do something he could now hardly walk. I called the vet at the vet hospital and he had just gotten the results it was Blastomycosis. I was in shock, I didn't know what it was. I went to my vet and she explained it and said that he was very advanced in the disease and his chances were not good. It would be a long treatment and since he had it in his lungs, skin and bones he probably wouldn't survive. At that moment I made the decision to end his pain, but it was the hardest decision I ever had to make. This dog was my boy, he never left my side he loved me more than life itself and I him. I couldn't let him suffer anymore. When we got to the vets he just went in the room and laid on the floor, I had told him before going that I was not going to let him suffer anymore and that I loved him. He was ready to go, even in the pain he was in he would try to limp to my side and be with me. Both my boyfriend and I were with Drakkar when he took his last breath . He did not move or resist, we stayed with him and pet him and talked to him, I didn't want to leave him. He will always be in my heart.

I miss him with all my heart and still cry when I think of him. I thank GO D everyday for Drakkar. I now understand how heart wrenching it is to loose one of these wonderful dogs, they get into your heart and soul and we are so blessed to be a part of their lives.

I still have my 8 year old female Dayna and she is my angel girl. But the spot in my heart that is Drakkars still hurts with loss.

Sorry for the long post, I have been wanting to write about my boy for awhile but didn't know where. I finally found the perfect place HERE.

I wrote the following poem for him the morning after, I couldn't sleep and missed the sight of his big head resting on my bed trying to wake me up.

My Knight
February 1995 - January 2000

You came into my life as a gift of friendship.

A little black bundle, a Rottie named Drakkar.

An incredible gift that captured my heart and soul.

You were a handful, I must admit.

To most you were too big, fierce and just plain scary.

To a select few you were gentle, affectionate and humorous.

To me your master you were obedient, loving and always by my side.
You cuddled with me when I needed it, you made me laugh when I was sad.
You protected your home and family, you were my Knight.

I will never forget your handsome baby face, your big paws with your
middle toes attached. Your little tail that only wagged when you saw me
coming. The way you arched your back when I gave you a massage and how
you loved your stuffed toys.

Whenever I hear a siren, I will remember your funny howl . But most of
all I will never forget the love and devotion in your eyes when they met
mine.

You were not only a gift of friendship but also a gift from God. You
will be missed by everyone you let into your heart, but especially by
me, your master.

Until we meet again at Rainbow Bridge,

I miss you Drakkar!