In Loving Memory of Shannon's "Chance" of a Lifetime

01/13/1997 - 04/11/2014

Chance came to us as a six-week old 3/4 lb. bundle of joy.  I can't say enough about what an special part of our family he was for his entire life.  He excelled in everything we introduced him to including obedience school.  He was the total center of our attention until he was three years old and I introduced Chloe into our home.  I was hoping that she would bring him joy and company while my husband and I worked long hours.  After a warming up period, they became the best of pals and I never worried about him being alone after that.  He was such an intelligent dog that he basically taught Chloe all he had learned in obedience school and she never had to attend.  All was great until one awful day on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at nearly 15 years old, Chance suffered a stroke.  After days of hospitalization and tests, he finally got to come home but the damage that was done would never go away.  His geriatric conditions of near blindness and deafness as well as decreased mobility were
worsened.  Additionally, the stroke prevented him from eating, drinking, standing, walking, and most anything else.  He was having to wear diapers and be turned in his crib every four hours.  As time progressed, he slowly started eating and drinking.  Doing home rehab helped with his mobility and he eventually started walking again and using the bathroom on his own quickly followed.  Although it was clear that he was permanently affected by the stroke, his recovery was by all accounts miraculous.  He became known as the "Miracle Dog" at the veterinarian's office.  I couldn't believe it, I didn't loose my sweet boy.  I was so thankful.  Besides the daily medication, equilibrium problems, and dementia issues caused by the stroke, he went on to live a pretty normal, healthy life for another 2 1/2 years.  Unfortunately, it just wasn't long enough.  In April of 2014, Chance started to go downhill quickly.  The vet told me I knew what I needed to do and that at his age, there was nothing that could be done to help him.  She said he was dying of natural causes and old age.  I could not bring myself to have him euthanized then.  I felt
like I needed to fight for him the way he fought to recover from the stroke,  He hadn't eat in several days, was back in diapers and was starting to show signs of being in pain.  So when on Friday, April 11, 2014, he started crying in pain, I knew it was time.  He didn't deserve to be in pain and I had to make the agonizing decision to have him euthanized.  I will never forget that night and the heartbreak I felt.  I was loving and kissing on him when he took his last breath.  Chance had always seemed so dignified his entire life and he went out of this world with that same dignity. What a blessing to have this special boy in our lives.  Rest in peace my sweet Chance!

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