Melissa
@Melissa_Ritts
Active 5 years, 8 months ago-
Melissa posted an update 11 years, 6 months ago
My beautiful little Tidbit
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Melissa posted an update in the group
Remember 11 years, 6 months agoThe first time I met Shey, she had just turned two weeks old. My friend’s dog had the litter, so as soon as they were old enough, she invited over to see the puppies. She said I could hold one and spotted Shey. She was the smallest of the bunch and so cute. So we sat down and talked for a while, my friend holding a crying pup and me holding Shey who immdediately fell asleep in my hand. She told she had never seen a puppy choose someone that early before, that was my dog and she wouldn’t give her to anyone else. That’s the day I named her Shey.
Because Shey was my first dog ever, my friend helped me get her house broken before she came home but I went visited just about everyday. Like every relationship, we had our furry ups difficulties – Shey learning to be a companion and me learning to be good dog mom.
We drove truck over the road together for a while, so Shey had been in all lower 48 states and Canada. And when a blizzard shuts down the freeway and you’re sitting still for hours there’s nothing better than jumping out of the truck to go have snow fights in the median. Shey loved to have “snow fights” with me. She loved to lick the cinnamon off the donuts and leave them in box on the dashboard. She wouldn’t bite them, just lick off all the cinnamon! She was also fiercely protective and so gentle at the same time.
The vets she saw over the years have all told me she is not a typical husky. She’s very laid back and quiet. She hardly ever barked unless I got her worked up and she was telling me stories. She loved her stuffed animals and would actually take very good care of them. There were a few that she would sleep with (her monkey and her elephant).
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Sounds like you two were best friends! This made me think of my dog Dunstin. He was a chocolate lab and I grew up with him – one of my earliest memories was when he was a puppy… It was almost the exact same thing as you & Shey. I’ll try to find some old pictures and share them.
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I would love to see some pictures Cody 🙂
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me too!
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Melissa posted a new activity comment 11 years, 6 months ago
Thank you…she was with me for 14 years, so I have lots of stories.
We are doing well…and adjusting. Sometimes I feel so lost and I just want to kiss her sweet face. I do miss her so much.
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Melissa posted an update 11 years, 6 months ago
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By the way Melissa, if you will find comfort sharing Shey’s pictures, and even some back-stories with us, the Memorials tab on the site is for that purpose. We are just building our community but those of us here would love see and share Shey with you.
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Thank you…she was with me for 14 years, so I have lots of stories.
We are doing well…and adjusting. Sometimes I feel so lost and I just want to kiss her sweet face. I do miss her so much.
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Melissa posted a new activity comment 11 years, 6 months ago
Hello, yes Shey is out of her pain. I went and picked up her ashes yesterday so she is home and with us. The vet that I (finally) found that was able to explain all of this to me is really great. The sent me a card with Shey’s paw prints and the redwood urn they sent her home in is so pretty. It has her name on the front.
Tidbit seems to be doing okay, though she still looks for Shey I think. She is getting lots and lots of love and attention.
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Dear Melissa,
I really am moved and feel sort of good for Shey, and you and your family, knowing Shey was ready to go. It’s nice to have comforting memories in having her always with you. On this site we provide support for this time and if we can help you, your family, or Tidbit please let me know. In the next few days will you let us know how you are all doing, please? We wouldn’t be here with you if we didn’t sincerely care and want to help. Here is a BIG HUG for you! Toni
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Melissa posted an update 11 years, 6 months ago
The vet spent about an hour with us and checked Shey out thoroughly. Along with the medical history and her exam, she said that Shey has a lot going on and none of it is good. There is a disease that is common in huskies (and the name is a mile long) that is basically a chronic bronchitis. The test to confirm this is a few thousand dollars and very evasive. I don’t want to put Shey through that.
She also found that Shey has back pain, which could be contributing to her grumpiness and that could be a few different things going on. For both of these the treatment is steroids which Shey did not do well on before. Which brings the Liver enzyme levels. With the elevated levels in her liver function we can’t give her steroids.
She did some sight tests and found that Shey has very little vision in her right eye and I have also been suspecting hearing loss because she’s very slow to respond to verbal commands.
Part of her larynx is paralyzed and this gets worst as they get older, however it’s not serious unless they get to the point where they can’t eat, extreme heat or obesity. This is where the noisy breathing is coming from.
Shey seems to know where her front paws are, but not her back ones. When the doctor turned them over, it took her a minute to figure out how to fix them. She also doesn’t pick up her back feet to walk like normal. This is neurological and is probably why Shey is falling so much. This along with her changes in behavior also point to cognitive deterioration as well. She expressed concern for Tidbit and said we need to keep a close eye on them when they are together.
The vet and I are on the same page. Let’s band-aid what’s going on and as long as she’s comfortable, I’m okay. She gave us Tramadol for pain and something for her cough. If these don’t improve things for her, it will be time to look at other options. She said that looking over her medical records, I have done about all I can do and if I really wanted to she could refer me to MedVet…[Read more]-
Aww 🙁 Thinking of you, Melissa.
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So sorry to hear Melissa! We will certainly be thinking of you and Shey. 🙁
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Dear Melissa,
How are you? Is Shey out of her pain now? If you would like to visit with a pet grief counselor, please let us know and we will introduce you. It helps to acknowledge your feelings – your sadness, and relief for Shey. You have been a great friend to Shey. Please let us know how you are doing. Toni-
Hello, yes Shey is out of her pain. I went and picked up her ashes yesterday so she is home and with us. The vet that I (finally) found that was able to explain all of this to me is really great. The sent me a card with Shey’s paw prints and the redwood urn they sent her home in is so pretty. It has her name on the front.
Tidbit seems to be doing okay, though she still looks for Shey I think. She is getting lots and lots of love and attention.
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Dear Melissa,
I really am moved and feel sort of good for Shey, and you and your family, knowing Shey was ready to go. It’s nice to have comforting memories in having her always with you. On this site we provide support for this time and if we can help you, your family, or Tidbit please let me know. In the next few days will you let us know how you are all doing, please? We wouldn’t be here with you if we didn’t sincerely care and want to help. Here is a BIG HUG for you! Toni
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Melissa posted an update 11 years, 9 months ago
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Maybe a “dog behaviorist” can help socialize them, especially the Husky. In the “services’ tab on this site there is a drop-down menu and you should find “Animal Behavior Specialist” in your area. Let us know what happens. They are really beautiful.
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Melissa posted an update 11 years, 9 months ago
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Melissa posted a new activity comment 11 years, 9 months ago
They have always gotten along great, but lately I’m having to split them up because the husky is starting to go after the little one. I’m not sure what’s going on with her, but I’m having quite a few challenges with the husky right now.
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Sean Hennessy and
Melissa are now friends 11 years, 9 months ago
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Toni Noel and
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Melissa posted a new activity comment 11 years, 9 months ago
Thank you! I have a husky and a chihuahua. Both are seniors.
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That’s awesome! How do they get along?
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They have always gotten along great, but lately I’m having to split them up because the husky is starting to go after the little one. I’m not sure what’s going on with her, but I’m having quite a few challenges with the husky right now.
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Melissa
So cute! Trying to get in the car – Tidbit drives? 🙂 How are you doing, Melissa?
LOL..she was trying to that day! It was cold and the snow was over head. She wanted no part of it! 😉
I’m doing pretty good. I shared some of Shey’s toys with the neighbor’s dog..they were too big for Tidbit…and I have never been able to get Tidbit interested in playing with toys. I am going to try to work with her again now that she doesn’t have a side kick to play with.
Good to hear your spirits are up. Does Tidbit wear booties? Sean is having trouble keeping Satchmo’s on and asked if anyone has tips.
I tried booties and socks because her feet get so cold she can’t move…but she flicks them off and it takes forever to get them on! LOL
hahaha same thing with Satchmo…..BUT he won’t go in the snow without them either! A total Catch 22 lol
Benny loves playing in the snow. It’s great.
As long as it’s not super cold, she doesn’t mind the snow. She has a coat that I put on her…but when it gets about 15 or below, she doesn’t like it one bit!
I’m going to try to find some better booties. I’ll let you know what I find, and if you find a type that works best, let us know.
What kind of Dog is Tidbit?!
Adorable – that’s what kind of pup she is :-). Melissa, what is she?
She is a Chihuahua-Miniature Pincer mix. They weren’t completely sure about the Min-Pin but she’s mixed with something. She’s bigger than a typical Chihuahua