It’s been a while again since our last update. As far as Mitchell goes, his bloodwork is now normal and so is he. He is a happy, healthy boy, running around the house and tormenting us with the constant enjoyment of his “squeaky” toys. Rich believes he was sent to us to help us get through the loss of Kaiya and Magoo and to help make us whole again. Mitchell is making every effort to do that, and is a great source of laughter for us.

Yesterday we again had to say goodbye to another one of our “kids”. When I went out to the kennel at 4am yesterday I noticed that Carson had not eaten his dinner. I talked to him and offered him his favorite treat, chicken jerky, but he wouldn’t eat that either. Even that was not cause for alarm, because occasionally in the past he would skip a meal. He did, however, seem to be a little out of sorts, and he also had a very “distant” look in his eyes. I remember thinking that we would probably lose him soon. I finished my kennel chores and came back into the house. About 15 minutes later Rich came in and told me Carson had put his head down and gone to sleep for the last time.

Carson had been with us for five years. It became evident soon after getting him that he was a “difficult” dog. He would not allow anyone but us to handle him, and at that even we couldn’t push him to do anything he did not want to do. He was a big boy-around 80 pounds-so we respected his wishes! Carson was happiest when he was “sucking” on his blanket eventually making it look like Swiss cheese-and he went through a lot of blankets in the time he was with us! We wanted for Carson what we want for all of our “kids”, and that is become part of a family of their own. When we realized that was not going to happen for Carson, he became a member of our family. We made the same commitment to him that we make to every Pei who comes into our program. If we are not able-for whatever reason-to help them find their very own family-they have a home here with us. So, even though Carson was not a Pei we could really get close to, he was a friend to us. We loved him and will miss our “big boy” who now joins Kaiya, Wendy, and Magoo who have all passed in the last four months and the many others who have gone before them.

If It Should Be If it should be that I grow weak And pain should keep me from my sleep; then you must do what must be done; for this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand; But don't let grief then stay your hand. For this day more than all the rest, Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years; What is to come can hold no fears. You don't want me to suffer so The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend, but please stay with me 'til the end To hold me close and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree, It was kindness done for me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I'm saved.

Please do not grieve that it was you Who had this painful thing to do. We've been so close, we two, through the years; Don't let your heart hold any tears.

We hope everyone is enjoying the springtime and are sorry for the long delay between updates on what is happening here in Redding. Mitchell is doing well but not completely out of the woods yet. His bloodwork is still not normal-he is still anemic and his white count is up. He is still on antibiotics for this, and we’re hoping the next time his blood his tested it will be normal. Other than that, he is doing very well and is outgoing and playful. He has been spending most of his time in the house with us and our other four legged friends, and he probably won’t be leaving us. We’ve been through so much with him, and with the loss of Kaiya about the same time he came to us, it would be very difficult for us to give him up now. We usually try to take in a hard luck case at Christmas time, and this year it was Mitchell-very lucky for all of us! As Rich said, “he came into our lives when we needed him and he needed us”.

It is a very sad today for us. Today Magoo will lose his battle with cancer. Magoo has fought a good fight since last year when it was diagnosed, but this morning both Rich and I can tell he is ready to go be with Kaiya. It is always such a difficult decision to make but looking at Magoo this morning we know it is the right decision for him. He has been a great friend to Rich and a great “husband” to Sophie, his long time companion. I wish we could explain to her that he won’t be coming home today from his last ride in the truck that he loves so much. We will all be going through the grieving process again-made even more difficult by the loss of Kaiya only three months ago. We’ve lost two very good friends recently and miss them beyond words.

That being said, we still have many Pei here who depend on us daily, and in the memory Kaiya and Magoo and of all we have lost before them we will continue to help the ones who need us the most. I know if they could talk that is what they would want us to do and there is no better way to honor their memories.

Anna and Rich