My mighty baby Caya lost her battle this week.  Right before we lost Tika in Nov 2009, Caya was diagnosed with Leptospirosis, she survived the initial acute renal failure (our bank account didn't) and made close to a full recovery.

However, earlier this year, she fell ill and we found out that the damage from the Leptospirosis had caused significant scarring of her kidneys and she was now in chronic renal failure.  We soon found out after that that she had some lesions on the bone, we never had a definitive answer on the cause.  

As much as I miss my girl, she went with her boots on, even up until the very end she was giving it all she got. However, Monday she suffered a serious crash, and when I checked on her in the middle of the night, she let me know that she couldn't carry on anymore. She had stopped eating the day before and her body was rapidly failing.  Tim and I released her from her pain later in the day. She had a sedative and the sedative had her unconscious before the final injection. I sat there with my hand on that mighty heart of her's until it stopped.

You never want to see them go, but I don't think it could have been scripted better for Caya.  So now, I see her up there bossing Tika around and making the whole gang shape up. (Caya never could take it when Tika killed a rabbit, it upset her a lot).

So now, I have my little monsters. Sitka and Luna, or as my friend calls them German Shepherd and Malamute 2.0. They've been taking good care of me.

I am so sorry for the loss of Trouble, Calpurnia and all the other tripawds. We've been so wrapped up with our own end of life care the last several months, I just lost track of the fact that others are hurting also.

Caya would have been 7 next month. We lost Tika at 5 years old. It just seems really damn unfair at times.

I made a video honoring Caya's life featuring a song my husband always sang to her. I'm sure YouTube will yank it soon for copyright infringement.

Everybody hug their babies for me.  Remember each day that you get a smile, a toy, a tail wag, it's a gift. Cherish it.

All my love.

Kim, Tim, Spirit Tika and Spirit Caya, Sitka and Luna

I'm so sorry for your loss of Caya. She sounds like an incredible fighter and your video is the perfect tribute.  It looks like the 2.0's will take good care of you during this rough time.  It's so hard to let them go, but also good to know they are no longer suffering.

Peace,

Lisa

I think I came here after you got caught up in your own survival stuff.  I just want to tell you that was a beautiful video and I loved the song.  They both looked like wonderful dogs, as do your new 2.0's.  It is terrible that you lost them at all, but I am so sorry that both girls were so young.  I do hope it is a comfort knowing you did all you could.

Elizabeth and Sammy

What a beautiful dog Caya was, we are so sorry that she left so early.

I'm sitting here with Shelby, the P.P., Charlie and Penny are running amuk in the back yard. We'll "hug 'em all up" and thank God we have been given the pleasure of these dogs sharing theirs lives with us.

Like Caya, the brightest, most intense star's burn out way to quickly, your video made us smile. Don't they grow up fast?

We hope the time will come quickly when you remember her with more smiles and less tears.

Feel good that you gave her every chance in the world and don't forget how much she loved you.

We wish you peace. the chauffeur.

Kim,

I am so sorry for your loss. I love the video you made of your pups. They are both so beautiful.

Sending you lots of gilden hugs!

Cathy