In the fall of 2002, Tigger's owners moved out and left him in the yard. He was finally fed by a sympathetic neighbor, rescued by Golden Bond, and diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Fluid had filled his abdomen, requiring periodic drainage and expensive veterinary care and medications.
Why not just euthanize the poor guy? He was a beautiful four-year old with eyes that melt your heart. Pure Golden-absolutely beautiful, intelligent, and with an urgent desire to please everyone he mets. Because he was not treated and left to die, he was only expected to live a year or two. We were determined to make his remaining time as comfortable and happy as possible.
April 1, 2003
We are sad to report that this lovely dog has gone to the rainbow bridge. Susan just called to say that she had to put Tigger down this evening. Susan, Tiggers foster mother, took Tigger in to have his stomach drained again only after a week since his last treattment. Tigger has not had a good week, barely eating and no tail wagging and in general decline.
The fact that his stomach had to be drained weekly showed that he was going down hill quickly. Carrie Fleming has been his vet and felt that since he was declining so quickly that he could drown in his own fluids and this is a horrible way for a dog to die. They do not die calmly but in a panic and this is NOT what we would have wanted for Tigger. Not our sweet boy who had every confidence in us that we would do the right thing for him. He trusted us, and in fact after he was given the injection, he turned his head, Carrie told me, and looked Susan in the eye to say good-bye to her.
As sorry as we are to say goodbye to this sweet dog, Golden Bond can let Tigger go knowing that everything possible was done for him to give him a good life after being abandoned by his owner.
Our hearts are heavy with this loss of Tigger .We are grateful to Susan his devoted foster mother who was matched up with one of the most special dogs Golden Bond has ever taken in, and she made his last months of life filled with the companionship and love.