Saturday, October 30, 2010

Our little Miss Pandora has gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

We love you, Pan.

Shorewood's Pandora ML
Oct. 14, 1996 - Oct. 20, 2010

Pandora was always a happy, energitic, spirited little gal.  She loved camping and hiking trips,  As a young dog she was quite the little hiker.  Regardless of her short little Dachshund legs, she had no trouble keeping up with the group on the trails.  Logs never stood in her way, she just hoped over them.  She loved it.  I always call her our little trooper.

As Pan got older she began to slow down a bit.  The hikes got shorter as she would tire more easily. Otherwise, she seemed in excellent health for a twelve year old Dachshund. Two years ago, Pandora developed a cough that gradually got worse. During a visit with Dr. Reed, Pandora's veterinarian, she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure.  Pan was started on medication that day and we knew she would be on it permanently. 

She did very well with her meds for almost two years.  She did have an additional medication added at one point but overall she did well. She enjoyed many more camping trips and even short walks.

Sadly, several weeks ago, her cough returned.  Once again, we had a visit with Dr. Reed.  He wasn't pleased with the way her lungs were sounding. After a complete physical, Pan's meds were increased again in the hopes we would see improvement.

We watched her closely but with each passing day she seemed a little worse.  The meds were not helping her the way they had in the past.  If the meds were not longer working, it was just a matter of time before she would begin to be uncomfortable.

After a talk with our vet, the heartbreaking decision was made to have her peacefully put to sleep.  It was a very sad day in our home, but I believe it was the best thing to do.  She was too sweet and good natured to allow her to suffer.

Run free my little Pandora.  We love and miss you.  We'll see you again someday.

Her geocache, 'Pandora's Box', will live on in her memory.