Memorial: Bear, formerly Levi (#22)

Bear Crossed the Rainbow Bridge September 2004

Just a note to let you know that we had to help Bear, formerly Levi (#22) move on to a better world. About a year and a half ago he began drinking huge amounts of water and turning down his food. He very quickly lost 30 or 35 lbs. The vet diagnosed his problem as diabetes and put him on Insulin — two shots a day — plus special food. His life seemed to be back to normal.

Everything went well until this last March. We couldn't seem to keep his dosage regulated. If we gave him a full dose he would have a reaction and if we cut it down he would regress. Then he quite eating so we force fed him and he would take it just because we wanted him to. One night he got terribly sick — all over the house. He was so ashamed! He would do anything rather than make messes.

I think that night was our "wake-up" call. We had to ask ourselves if we were keeping him alive with drugs and forced feeding for his benefit or because it would be painful to us if we were to lose him. The next day we took him to the vet and let him go. (Almost exactly a year after diagnosis.) It was so hard! We feel honored to have had the privilege of having this wonderful loving friend for the four years he was with us. We want to thank and commend you and Golden Bond for the wonderful work you do. Without it we would not have known this amazing, kind, honest and loving animal. We can't thank you enough!

The picture was taken a couple of days before he was diagnosed. We thought you might enjoy seeing what a handsome Golden he was. There'll never be another "Bear"!!!

Sincerely,
Jack and Carolyn

He [Bear] was a stray at the Central Oregon Humane Society. I was called by them to let Golden Bond know that they had an older Golden that they thought may not be very adoptable. He was found to have a microchip but the owner was unlocateable.

I went to see him and took him on the spot. Mind you, he had a couple hot spots, ear infections, and stunk to high heaven, but what a beautiful face and sweet temperament he had. Also — I DON'T FOSTER!

My vet is about 1/2 mile from the humane society so our first trip was there to get vaccinations and needed meds. My vet thought he was at least 10, due to his worn teeth and white face. While there he coughed once or twice. Oh please don't be kennel cough. I have 4 other dogs at home!

"Levi" as I called him got a bath immediately. More coughing. I soon discovered that yes, indeed, he had kennel cough. It was quite a trick to keep him away from my other dogs for 2 weeks while the kennel cough ran it's course, but I found out that it IS doable. NONE of my dogs caught it!

I learned what a wonderful dog he was. He was very low-key. He didn't seem to have pain anywhere, but a slow trot is the most action he would give. He loved to just be a "rug slug" or "couch potato." He also loved to pack around his "woobies" and did lots of teasing and "woo-woo's." I live out in the country and he liked to go for walks off-leash, but was always content to be near me. I was used to Goldens who hunt ahead. He didn't care to.

One time the UPS man made a delivery and before I could get to the door, he was leaving. When I opened the door, Levi ran (yes, ran) to the end of the deck and watched the UPS man just getting back into his truck. His expression really had words connected to it. He said, "But wait, we haven't met yet." That's exactly what he said because, after all, anyone who comes to the house comes to see the Golden, right?

After about 2 weeks, when Levi was recuperated from all his little problems, a wonderful couple from the Portland area came to see if Levi was the dog for them. It was love at first sight for all. It truely was a perfect match and off to his new home he went.

The new owners, Jack and Carolyn, took him to their vet and a more extensive search was done on his microchip. It was discovered that the original owner that put the chip in had given (or sold) him to someone else. They didn't remember the name. Then that person had sold (or given) him to someone else so the chip never got the owner info updated. From that chip though, they discovered he was only 6-1/2, not 10.

It baffles me and "Bear's" new owners to this day of why no one was looking for him. He was from Bend according to the chip. He was very well housebroken, didn't dig, or bark, got along great with cats and other dogs, loved people, was never destructive, and the new owners said he had quite a large vocabulary. Someone had taken the time to train him.

His forever family in the end gave him a great and happy life filled with love and I know he returned it doubly.

Sheri

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