Puppy Prayers.
This is Winnie.
Isn’t she cute? She is only 6 years old. This was taken on Memorial Day.
I always hated dogs. I’m pretty sure I had some terrible experiences with gigantic, 400-pound black German Shepherds when I was younger with sharp teeth and snarling growls. I can also be completely, utterly, ridiculously unrealistic so please ignore me. Anyway, when my brother Will was 13, my parents surprised him with a puppy. He had wanted one for as long as we all could remember. He was so happy that he cried. I cried too. Mainly because I was so horrified that I would have to share a certain amount of square footage with something that has fur and lots of drool. I was not happy.
But when Abby came she was just so cute and I loved her adorable chubby rolls of doggy skin and fur. When Abby turned 5, my dad and Will surprised my mom with a new puppy, Winnie, on Valentine’s day. I think my mom was ready to lose her mind: twice the fur + twice the craziness. But Winnie was super cute and fit right in – she rejuvenated Abby too! Well really… Winnie never got out of her puppy stage. She has eaten entire pans of 7-layer bars, rocks, and garbage without blinking an eye. I always say she has led the “hard” life. Also, for the first 5 years, anytime she would see a man walking she’d run up to him, lay down on her back, and spread all fours. Yeah. Take that as you will.
Abby passed away 2 years ago, only a week before Mother Lovett died. That wasn’t the best week. But Abby was older and we somewhat expected it as she had slowed down a lot. She actually passed away at home; we believe her stomach flipped just like in Marley and Me. Winnie seemed a little lost at first, but she had always been an attention hog so it wasn’t a big deal.
Now… Winnie started having seizures on Tuesday night. Big ones. She spent the night in the vet hospital and continued to have seizures yesterday. She is on anti-seizure meds but still is not herself. At times it is kind of funny because she looks like she is drunk. But it is also really sad. Apparently, seizures are very common in dogs – BUT they are not common once dogs mature. Considering Winnie never had anything wrong with her, these seizures most likely mean that something is not right – something in the brain is not right. I’m trying to be cautiously optimistic, but feel so bad for Winnie. She is still such a young pup (ok, 42 in dog years or whatever) and she still seems generally happy. I also can’t imagine ever having to put a dog down since we didn’t need to do so with Abby. Plus, this is a jillion times more complicated than it normally would be as we supposed to leave for the beach on Sunday. Growing up stinks.
Anywho… that’s my story. I don’t really love dogs and if you ever brought your dog near me, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t want to pet it. But I really loved Abby and I really love Winnie! So can you say a puppy prayer for Winnie? She’d totally lick you face right now if she could.
153 Comments on “Puppy Prayers.”
Praying real hard. <3
puppy prayers are a comin….
So sorry for poor Winnie. My 2-year-old dog just started having seizures recently as well and is on medication. Hoping Winnie’s seizures are just like hers and will be totally manageable.
Praying for Winnie and your family!
BIG HUGE puppy prayers. I know you may not love dogs, but I do and believe me, you don’t want to have to put a dog to sleep. We had to put our 14 1/2 yo lab/rottie mix to sleep almost 4 years ago and it hurt like hell. Sucked in every way imaginable. My husband still isn’t over it as she was his best bud, always home together (he works from home). They become like your children, at least our Riley did for us. But just remember, when you do have to make that decision, it has to be made on their behalf, not yours. You can’t be selfish. If their quality of life is no good, let them go. Worst decision someone has to make, but it’s the right thing to do for the dog. Ok I’m gonna go cry and eat a pan of brownies now… xxoo
Aw Nancy!! xoxo
Praying for you. I have a golden at home and lost one five years ago. Hope everything will be ok! xoxoxo
I love goldens! my sister has one and she is the best! I hope Winnie will be ok. Having a sick pet is so hard!
I will send all my good vibes to her!
Oh no… it tears me apart when dogs are sick. I have always been a huge dog lover, and I know from experience how difficult it is when they aren’t well. Shelby (our shelter dog) and I are sending get-well wishes to Winnie!!
Aaaww I hope she heals quickly!
You may not love all dogs, but when they’re yours they become part of the family. I hope she turns out to be OK. I’ll be keeping you and Winnie in my thoughts!
I’m so sorry Jessica. I have lost many dogs in my life since my family at least has 3 or 4 at a time (once even 6) and it’s not easy to deal with when they get sick. you just have to think of it in the same terms of if she were human and do what you think is best.
I will pray for sweet Winnie and your whole family
If I believed that prayer actually fixed things, I would.
But since I don’t the best I can do is really hope that she gets better and tell you that I really really hope that she’s okay and things work out. My fiance and I had to put down his childhood dog of 11 years due to Lymphoma. It wasn’t a very happy day.
Thinking of you and Winnie. :(
Sending many puppy prayers your way. And
Boxer kisses too! Get well soon, Winnie! <3
I know how awful it is to lose a dear doggy. :( I hate it. And I’m sending up lots of prayers for your precious pup, Jess!
Keeping her in my thoughts!
Done! I have a 6 year old golden and a 14 week old chocolate lab- I’m getting teary just reading this.
I sooooo hope Winnie gets well! We had to put our lab down; was one of the worst days of my life. Like Nancy C. said, it was the right decision, but incredibly tough – I cried like a baby. It’s been over 10 years and I still miss my buddy! Now I need to go bake something and eat it!
prayers will be coming for Winnie and your family.
Oh no :( I’m praying hard.
So sorry to hear this! Seizures are so scary.
I hope the medications start to control them. If you have any questions, I would be happy to try to answer them. (I am a vet) Just LMK!
I’m a dog lover and I am saying puppy prayers from Ms. Winnie and your family. I hope they can figure out what is causing the seizures.
I’m so sorry to hear about Winnie’s tough times. Has she had an MRI yet?
oh, Jessica, I am just seeing this! I am sending BIG prayers for Winnie. so is Basil (my dachshund…)
<3
Losing my dog after he got sick was without a doubt one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through, And no one can understand that unless they’re a pet owner themselves. Dogs are members of the family and it can be like losing a brother or sister. Praying super hard that your doggie is okay!
This is exactly right!
Jessica, I feel your pain. We’ve had three golden retrievers, had to put one down, one died at home and our third, Spike, is 11 yhears old and has multiple health problems. I’m not sure I won’t have to be tranquilized when he passes, as out of all six of our dogs over the years he is my favorite.He had siezures when he was a young dog and it scared us to death. The Vet would give him phenobarbitol, and he would come out of it. he hasn’t had one in years. Like Winnie, he has a stomach of steel. Plus,
he talks! The only one of ours that talked.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband.
Maybe they are separated at birth – my mom swears that Winnie talks to her.
So, I’m totally a doggie lover….and in tears right now:( I had an Irish Setter that randomly started having seizures when she was 3. We put her on medication and after an adjustment period the medication worked…but she was on LOTS of it. Then I read that the medication she was on was making her liver go bad…so we tried to get her on something different, but the damage was already done. We did get her on a different medication, but she still had to be on the liver damaging one too. We gave her Milk Thistle to help regenerate the damaged liver…but eventually it caught up with her:( She did live 3 more happy years with her seizures under control:) Then I had to be a grown up and make the decision to have her put down:( You’re right…growing up stinks! BIG HUGE (((HUGS))) and doggie prayers being sent your way!!!!
Heavenly Father,
Please help us in our time of need,
You have made us stewards of Winnie.
If it is Your will, please restore her to health and strength.
I pray too for other animals in need.
May they be treated with the care and respect deserving of all Your creation.
Blessed are You Lord God, and holy is Your name for ever and ever.
~ Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation.~
Jessica,
I truly know how sad you feel when you lose a pet. Winnie was wish you for a long time. My sister and I had a dog when I was fifteen, Cassie. We loved that dog to pieces, but we lost her when she was very young. She died of a rare blood disease, and she was only about three and a half. Keeping Winnie and your family in my prayers tonight and praying that she has great strength. Know she loves you guys very much! :)
Jen
This made me tear up! Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with this situation. Although I actually had a ginormous German Shepherd incident as a child, it didn’t deter me from loving dogs. Their slobber and hair is a different story, but I digress. When I was in middle school, my family had a Chow Chow who, in his old age, developed seizures that came out of nowhere which made us come to the very, very difficult decision to put him down (RIP Ralphie). I hope that Winnie can pull through this! Prayers to you and your family as you deal with this! HUGS!
Poor Winnie – sending lots of puppy prayers & hugs & kisses her way! Wishing her a speedy recovery.
I’m sending lots of good thoughts your way. I love my dogs more than I like most people, so I truly hope your furry friend gets better and finds some comfort ASAP! :)
She’s on my prayer list…and your family too!
Oh dear, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Last August, my husband and I lost our precious little chihuahua, Buddy. Since he was a stray to us, it was estimated that he was about 13-15 when he passed away. It was very hard considering we only were parents to him for about 5 years. I tell ya, it’s like a piece of your heart is ripped from your body. He too started having seizures out of the blue about 1.5 months before he passed. It is heartbreaking to watch a pet go through them knowing that there is nothing that you can do. To make the situation worse, my parents were watching him when he had his final episodes of seizures and had to make the decision to put him down. He had about 50 seizures in an hour before they put him to sleep. The memories flooding back right now are making me sob.
I won’t clog up your comments section anymore. I blogged about it last June-Aug, so you can always head over if you want to read the sob story. :( Know that I am thinking of you.
Awwwwwwww. I’m a total animal lover. My first dog was a dachshund/corgi mix named Queenie. She was so fat and had the shortest little legs you’ve ever seen. She was a wonderful dog. We rescued her from the pound and we had 12 wonderful years with her before she went to doggie heaven at 17 years old. My mom goes out to the backyard and visits her grave every day, and still cries sometimes. Pets are family.
I forgot to add…chocolate heals pain.
Lost our bulldog a year ago to a tumor that made him really sick all the sudden & in 3 wks we had to put him down. So i can 100% feel you pain & will send prayers to Winnie. Losing our pup was easily one of the tougest things i’ve been through, it even made me wonder if i could handle having kids at how upset & sick it made me losing our pup, lol. My thoughts & prayers go out to you & and your family, i hope she fights through this!
Saying a HUGE prayer (you know I love me some pup). My parents dog recently started having seizures too..so I can totally feel your parents pain. Hope she gets better FAST
Major prayers for Winnie! I am so sorry, Jessica! Truly….such sad news and she is in my prayers as are you :)
Sending good puppy vibes your way! I know how that is. ;)
P.S. I haven’t been to your actual site in a while, and I LOVE the new design. ;)
Thanks friend!
Praying for Winnie, Jessica. Keep us updated.
Aww, I’m so sorry. I’ll be praying for y’all.
Aw, Jessica! Your post totally made me tear up! I have a 12 year old Golden Retriever who I am totally attached to (and that’s an understatement), so I can understand how you are feeling right now. And about the liking dogs thing; I always say I am not a dog lover, I am a SELECTIVE dog lover! Hope Winnie starts doing better! I am praying.
Oh no! My husband’s childhood dog also has seizures occasionally (they also came on when he was older). Mostly when it gets hot. Hope she gets better quickly!
I’m truly sorry to hear you and your family are going through this Jessica. I had no idea she was so young. When my dog went through it she was twice that age so problems are more expected and common. I hope she pulls through. I hope the meds kick in and start to help. You’ll all be in my thoughts and sending lots of ehugs and belly rubs her way.
Please, please, please do NOT be afraid to get a second opinion on her. Diagnostics for this kind of thing can include a full blood and urine profile (chem panel, CBC, T4, urinalysis) and an MRI. You could also be referred to a specialist at a veterinary teaching hospital. Once she is discharged from the hospital, keep her in a calm, very quiet place to recover. Don’t encourage any extra running, jumping or playing. As little stress for her body and mind as possible! I’m not a doctor by any means, but I may or may not spend 9 hours a day in a vet clinic :) Best of luck to your 4 legged friend!
I am so, so sorry to hear about Winnie. My husband and I grew up with dogs and now have two: Gus, a 1 1/2 year old golden and Joey, a 1 year old springer spaniel. They are our babies and a very special part of our family. It’s never easy when they get sick and it’s such a helpless feeling because they can’t communicate to you what hurts. Hopefully this will be something that they can control with meds and Winnie will pull through. Prayers are coming from me, my husband, Joey, and Gus because every little bit helps!
I’ve been a reader of yours for a while now, but have never commented because it feels weird… But I just absolutely want you to know that I am praying super hard for your Winnie. My little Westie battled cancer for nearly a year before we had to finally put him down. Dogs are stronger than you think, and they are determined to be there for their families as long as possible. Have hope <3
Thank you so much for commenting!
Sending prayers Winnie’s way.
Oh no…praying for Winnie. It’s hard for YOUR pup to be sick, especially when you don’t know why. Praying the doctor’s find out what it is and can fix her up.
awww seeing this makes me want to cry. Poor Winnie is so beautiful. I hope everything turns out alright for her (and your fam).
Growing up, we had an epileptic beagle. It was really hard when she had seizures – we’d have to take her out into the garage because she’d have no control over her bladder when she got a seizure. The worst was if it happened when she was a flight (or two of stairs). I remember the three of us girls being home with the dog after work, and trying to safely transport a convulsing dog downstairs and out to the garage. Poor puppy.