 
12/27/07 This page is dedicated to Lacey who crossed the Rainbow Bridge today after a two year long battle with Renal Disease. Lacey was a brave and gentle soul who brought smiles to many and who left her little pawprints on their hearts. No one will miss her more than her mommy Karen.
Laceys story is unique in that I met her late in her life when she was 10 years old. Her mom, Karen had just begun volunteering within my rescue, Cascade Beagle Rescue. I met Lacey and loved her instantly - she was just the right mixture of grace and charm, two features that made her the perfect Therapy Dog.
Karen had gotten Lacey as a pup to keep her other dog "Snoopy" company. The two proved to be inseperable and when Snoopy became ill, Karen didn't want Lacey to be alone and brought her a little sister named Cagney - just like the famous TV detectives, Cagney & Lacey fast became friends.
Under Karens tutoring, Lacey blossomed into a beautiful dog with a love for life, children and of course - treats. Her favorite special treats were Greenies!
Lacey, as mentioned earlier, became an International Registered Therapy Dog and spent her weekends visiting nursing homes, and participating in local NJ libraries in a program now known as "Reading With Lacey, Inc".
In the latter, Lacey would don her working vest (see the picture on the right) and slip into her job mode...she'd sit patiently while little children read stories to her.
Lacey would rest her head and listen to the words as each story unfolded. I imagine that Lacey probably had her favorite book that no doubt involved taking long walks, something she adored. Lacey showed grace and kindness to each and every child that had the honor of being in her company, and there were many "regulars" who came to the libraray over and over to see their pal.
Lacey would sit on the librarys little couch with a young boy or girl (sometimes two!) next to her and as they read and gained confidence in their abilities to read (Dogs are SO non-judgmental) Lacey would listen attentively and her reward was always a pat on the head or a softly placed kiss at the end of the story.
I was lucky enough to visit with Lacey and Karen on their quests. Sometimes Cagney & Sahara, Laceys sisters went along too and I was always amazed at how well behaved the girls were with all the people they met!
Lacey enjoyed putting on her working clothes and driving in the car to meet new friends. At the nursing homes she visited she always sat patiently while people pet her, cooed sweet words to her and reminisced about dogs they had in better times. The highlight of the girls nursing home visits was Halloween when Karen painstakingly dressed each girl up in full regalia and brought a special "treat" on All Hallows Eve to the patrons who lived there.
All of these programs will feel the loss of their beloved Lacey and no doubt, in her stead little Sahara and Cagney will try hard to fill their big sisters shoes.
To that end, Karen is busily working to obtain 501c3 status to get the "Reading with Lacey, Inc." program off the ground.
Sadly, Laceys life ended too soon. In 2006 Lacey accidentally ingested Resolve Carpet cleaner - not much, but enough to send her directly into Renal Failure. Karen raced Lacey to an emergency clinic where blood transfusions were performed on the spot! While those measures saved her life in the short term, Laceys kidneys were irrepairably affected. At the outset she was given almost no time to live. Against the odds, she stayed with us for more than a year - all for the care of her "moms" efforts.
As soon as Laceys diagnosis was received Karen began feeding her a higher quality food along with some home cooking. Karen painstakingly prepared meals and treats for her girl, supplemented them with vitamins and specialty items too.
Toward the end stage of her kidney failure Karen was giving Lacey sub-q fluids twice daily but never considered it a chore. She loved Lacey with all of her heart and today her sadness for the loss of a wonderful companion is being felt.
As it always seems to be, just before the Holidays this year Laceys Creatinine levels climbed and she stopped eating. Her little system just could not handle any more illness. Although every challenge was met valiantly by Lacey, her disease proved to be even stronger than she was.
It would be tragic if Laceys story ended here. Happily, it will not. Karen has plans to formally train both Sahara and Cagney to be therapy dogs to continue the tradition set by their big sister. Also on the horizon is the formation of the Reading With Lacey program. As plans continue, this page will be updated in Laceys honor so please stay tuned.
Forever memorialized - Courtesy of AnimalsInk.com
Symptoms of Canine Renal Disease
Increased water consumption (polydipsia)
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Dilute urine (little color or odor, because he kidneys are no longer capable of concentrating urine)
Depression
Diminished appetite (anorexia)
Discoloration of teeth
Chemical odor to the breath
Nausea and vomiting (seen particularly with a very high BUN (blood urea nitrogen)) Dogs who are nauseated often lick their noses repeatedly
Muscle weakness and exercise intolerance
Weight loss
Pale mucous membranes because of anemia
Oral (mouth) ulcers
Shivering (from diminished number of red blood cells that result from the anemia seen in renal failure)
Muscle wasting
Diarrhea
|
Parting thought: Ethylene Glycol poisoning
Poisoning by ethylene glycol is one of the most common small animal toxicities. The chemical compound has a sweet taste which attracts dogs and cats alike to it.
Spilled or leaked ethylene glycol is lapped up by many dogs in quantities sufficient to cause severe sickness and even death. In fact, it takes only about 1/2 teaspoon per pound for a dog to get a toxic dose of ethylene glycol.
Although the poison affects both the animal's neurological and kidney function, the most severe damage usually involves the kidneys.
The best way to combat poisoning is by preventing access to it, which is more difficult than you would think because ethylene glycol is in virtually every product in the home.
All of these are just as toxic to your dog as straight antifreeze, which is ethylene glycol in it's truest form. Kiwi scuff magic shoe polish Simple Green Hand Cleaner Clairol Hydrience Hair Color Windex Original & Orange Carpet Science stain remover Behr, Glidden, Sherwin Williams Paint A full listing of products containing ethylene glycol and it’s derivatives can be found here: http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/search
Signs and symptoms of intoxication:
The signs of acute or immediate exposure to ethylene glycol include signs that resemble drunkenness, including incoordination, depression, seizures, coma, or death. Vomiting, nausea, increased thirst and urination are also seen in the first 30 minutes to one hour. From 12 to 24 hours after consumption the animal may have rapid heart rate and rapid breathing. The prognosis for patients that are seen after the onset of kidney failure is grave. Dialysis and kidney transplantation would offer the best hope for such patients but each is cost prohibitive and the facilities that can administer such treatment are few and far between.
What to do:
Contact your veterinarian immediately. If the dog is not yet showing some signs of illness, it is unlikely that they ingested any meaningful amount. However, your veterinarian should be seen to be certain such is the case. Blood tests will be run and the known antidotes are most helpful if administered within the first three hours after ingestion. Unfortunately, pet owners rarely can act within this time frame. If you can keep your dog alive until you get to your emergency clinic RUN don’t walk to them. If your own vet is unavailable don’t wait – time is of the essence and one minute makes a difference when dealing with poisonous substances.
We are honored to note that Bright & Beautiful Therapy dogs has posted a lovely Memorial for Lacey on their site. Please visit it below.
|
Waiting
I got to the gates of heaven today
after we said goodbye.
I began to miss you terribly,
because I heard you cry.
Suddenly there was an angel and she asked me
to enter heaven's gate,
I asked her if I could stay outside ...
for someone who'd be late.
I wouldn't make much noise you see,
I wouldn't bark or howl,
I'll only wait here patiently
and play with my favorite ball.
The angel said I could stay right here
and wait for you to come
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
if I were there alone.
So I'll wait here, you take your time,
but keep me in your heart.
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
without you to warm my heart.
Lacey
1/1/96-12/27/07
December 2006
Karen, Lacey & her best friend, Cagney!
To make a donation in Lacey's name please visit www.cascaderescue.org
Lacey in her Dragon Costume 10/07
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Halloween with Lacey, the therapy dog - Saturday, October 27 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Our beloved friend, Lacey the therapy dog, will be here in costume. Come in costume, get your picture taken with her and find out how you can sign up to read to Lacey. Children in grades 1-6 are encouraged to sign up for a 15 minute session with Lacey at a future date. Studies have shown that kids who are shy about their reading, gain confidence by reading to an animal. Lacey and her partner, Cagney, are specially trained to work with people. The entire family is invited.
Lacey hard at work
Christmas 2007 - Karen, Lacey, Cagney & Sahara!
|
