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SASHEN CROSSES THE RAINBOW BRIDGE 5 SEPTEMBER 2010
On 3 September, Gayle writes: Took one of our fosters, Sashen, to Dr Johnson this morning. She is a very sick little girl: 104.4 temp, dehydrated, rapid heart rate, etc. Veins too deflated for a blood draw; she is hooked up to an IV; he will try for blood later today and thinks it is necessary to keep her until she shows improvement. We will know more after the blood panel comes back. She started not feeling well Thursday morning, but seemed better last night. Hate to run to a vet at the drop of a hat, but maybe we should have. She is such a happy, smiling little girl; it's very sad to see her not be herself. Later in the day: They are taking such good care of her, bathing her paw pads in alcohol, using ice packs, IV fluids, steroids & meds. They did get a blood draw; it went out to the lab late today and he will have results tomorrow morning. Thinking serious infections at this point, as temp went up to 104.7 and at 5:30 was at l03.8, so it is coming down. I wonder if their fevers go up at night like people's do. Shade is missing her friend and keeps looking for her.
On 5 September, Gayle writes: With very heavy hearts and many tears, we said good-bye to Sashen this morning as she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Sashen & her gal pal Shade came to us early June when their owner placed them in a south Chicago kill shelter after adopting them from the same shelter four years earlier. With the girls being 10 years old and overweight, they were on the PTS list. Who would want two old fat girls? CRUSA, that's who! Adding them to our Pack of Four worked very well; we all settled in with the knowledge that we may have them to end of life. Never did we think that day would come so soon. We still don't have the exact reason Sashen got so sick so quickly, but with the phone call this morning from Dr Johnson, and with the latest blood draw count, her body was basically attacking itself and the time had come to say good-bye. Good bye sweet Sashen, our smiling Cairn girl, who brought smiles to our faces as well with the clacking of her teeth when she was hungry; waking up about 5 most mornings, wanting breakfast; who loved to be put in our bed and root around the covers until they were perfect; who only made it to end of the driveway on walks and who loved Shade and was by her side most of the time. Don't worry about your friend, Sashen; we will watch out for her like you did and love her even more to make up for the loss of her best friend. Thank you for blessing our lives, sweet, sweet Sashen. Thank you to Dr. Bill Johnson and his staff for the excellent care he gave Sashen. We all can share with the vet the worry of a family member being ill, but knowing Sash was with Dr Johnson and the staff took away so much of that worry. They went above & beyond to help this Cairn girl. Our family & CRUSA are blessed to have these wonderful people who love our dogs as we do. Shade & Sashen BJ ISAACS: It seems like we have lost so many lately. I am so sorry for your and CRUSA's loss. It isn't easy and will never get easy either, but knowing she was loved and cared for does ease the hurt somewhat. I send you hugs and kisses from my crew . . and run, Sash, run; give Saylor a big kiss for me, too. PAM SPACEK: My condolences. What a sad way to recognize the holiday weekend. EILEEN KEMP: So very sorry to hear of your loss. Will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. MARSHA AARONS: I'm so sorry for your loss. Your sweet little girl was loved and went to RB knowing and feeling that. Thanks for fostering Sashen and her buddy Shade. SHELLY SIMINSKI: Please send my love & prayers. It's sad we couldn't save her, but Gayle % Bob, the vet & staff did all they could. CRUSA people love above & beyond. Thank God for all of you. God bless that little baby. CHUCK RUSK: So sad to hear about this old girl. VIOLETTA ARGUETA: That is so sad. I'm sorry that you lost her. Their story is so sad too. You wonder what kind of person would dump them in the shelter knowing they were likely going to be euthanized. Thanks for taking such good care of them. BOB ANDERSON: She was a brave little girl! That was a lovely tribute that Gayle wrote . . . . BENNIE JONES: My condolences; I am so thankful that Sashen was with you at the end. Prayers your way. MARILYN ROYLE: We are so sorry for your loss. I know she touched your lives and will be in your heart always. Hugs to you & Bob and your crew. RICK KENNERLY: Thanks for seeing her potential & giving her a great retirement.I am so sorry for your loss. Sashen knew she was loved and was well taken care of in her last days. As BJ said, we've lost so many lately. But they are all now pain free and playing together. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. SUE LOSINGER: So sorry for your loss. You just gotta love those chubby old girls (and guys), don't ya. TRACIE COTTON: I am so sorry for your loss. Sashen knew she was loved and was well taken care of in her last days. As BJ said, we've lost so many lately. But they are all now pain free and playing together. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. KATHY GAMACHE: Oh geez . . . more tears here. Sashen was a pretty girl; bless her big Cairn heart! Big kiss & hug to Gayle & Bob for what they did for her! You foster folks have huge rubies being added to your heaven crowns! CHARLOTTE ANDERSON: I am so sorry for your loss. The seniors are really extra special, aren't they? Gayle writes: Shade, Bob & I want to thank all of you who shared the loss of Sashen with us. Hearing from so many of you and reading your comments makes us proud to be part of such a great group of people. CRUSA people are the best! GERI MARION: Thank you for giving her a wonderful place to spend her final days.
RAINBOW BRIDGE Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together . . . Author Unknown

SHADE CROSSES THE RAINBOW BRIDGE HERE