I haven’t written about Zoey on here even though she left us back in July. It is a hard thing to talk about and still brings tears to my eyes when I think about her or hear someone say her name.
Zoey Grace
Zoey was my Miniature Schnauzer. She spent almost 5 great years with us. She was one of the best dogs we ever had. She never barked unless something was really wrong. She was here for me when no one else was. She kept me company when my husband was working 24 hour shifts. She sensed I was upset after the twins were born and felt like giving up by staying close by my side. She cuddled with me a little extra when my Grandmother died shortly after the twins were born.
After she died I have felt a lot of regret. I was not able to give her the normal attention I always had before the twins. It made me sad and I have hoped that she didn’t hate me for it. Yes, I know she was just a dog.
Zoey came to live with us on January 1, 2008. She was born September 25, 2007. Zoey was a replacement of sorts because we had to put down our two dogs (a boxer and cocker spaniel) due to being exposed to a rabid skunk. I thought long and hard about her name and decided on Zoey because it meant Life.
She was nothing but a little white ball of fur and was such a loving dog. She took whatever the kids dished out and never complained.
On July 21, 2012, we had been out of town for the day and returned home to find bright yellow stains on the carpet. I thought she had
Zoey Grace
peed on the floor cause she couldn’t hold it with us being gone. Although that was very unusual. The following day, my husband was outside and happened to see her going to the bathroom and noticed that she had bright yellow diarrhea. My first thought was worms for whatever reason. She seemed to be acting fine other than having some diarrhea. Monday and Tuesday she seemed okay as well. Wednesday morning when I went to let her out she just seemed week. After looking at her good I saw her gums were white. I took her right to the vet and he gave her some antibiotics and an IV and told me to force her to take in fluids. I tried that evening to give her water via a syringe. She took it to only throw it back up shortly after. I noticed she was stumbling around at times and almost acted paralyzed. My heart was breaking. I knew something was really wrong. So Thursday morning I rushed her back to the vet because that morning she wasn’t even standing for me. I remember driving her there and just looking at her knowing it wasn’t okay. The vet rushed her right back and told me he was taking over and that it would take a miracle. Her skin and eyes were yellow at this point. My last memory of her was her laying on the exam table looking at me helpless. I could barely hold the tears back or talk. So I mumbled I would call later and left quickly. I called that evening and there was no change. She was not any worse but not any better. I wavered back and forth on going out that evening to just see her and possibly say good bye. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I regret that. I left her in a strange place and she was so sick. She stayed overnight. I called Friday morning the 27th. The vet informed me through his tears that she didn’t make it. I felt like my world fell down around me. She would never run through the house again or sleep in the bed with me. She was gone.
I did a lot of research while she was sick and found the reason for her sudden sickness. It was a new dog food that she had just started. For legal reasons I cannot reveal the name of the dog food. Her death could have been prevented. She could have been saved. It was my fault I got the new dog food.
As far as dog food goes, I can only tell you to research and read labels. Dog food should not have carbohydrates and corn in them. Dogs were made to eat meat. Their pancreas cannot break down the carbs and corn fast enough. This causes their pancreas to become inflamed and can cause a whole other list of problems. I now feed my dogs dog food that is grain free.
Zoey died from pancreatis. Her pancreas swelled so bad that it stated pushing on her liver causing it to not be able to function. All of this could have been prevented. I am probably going to get comments that say my dogs have never had a problem with this and I feed them this type of food. I can only tell you that sometimes it only takes a week to affect them, others it takes months, some it takes years. It will not bother some dogs at all. They are like people, not everything effects every dog the same.
I have a friend who is having to make a hard decision about her dog due to a sudden illness. It broke my heart and made me decide I needed to finally put into words what happened.
Cora Isabella (Bella)
We did get another Miniature Schnauzer recently. Her name is Cora Isabella. Cora means life. We call her Bella for short. She will never replace Zoey but she has brought joy back to our house. Oddly enough Bella was born the morning of July 27th – the same day Zoey passed away.
Zoey will never be forgotten and will definitely always be in my heart.
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