Chloe's Blog

Last Day on Earth

Chloe — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:41:52 +0100

Today, I passed away from bladder cancer. I think I was age 14, but no one really knows for sure. My people asked the vet to come and put me out of pain this evening. I had a good day today – and that was nice. I had lost my ability to yodel at food time and walk without being disoriented, among other things that I won’t discuss here. My body was leaving me, and it was hurting me. I was held closely and was told that I would go to a place of abundant energy and love and that it would be a safe trip and painless and I would be forever happy when I arrived. I was told that I was a very good dog and had done everything right. I was so loved. I enjoyed walking a little bit in my yard tonight and had my favorite dinner – a boneless chicken thigh.

I was found in the woods 4 years ago – blind and lost. A lady named Jamie told Ann about me at lunch one day. No one claimed me or responded to the ads in the paper and postings at the local veterinary offices. It was Valentine’s Day, 2003 when I was adopted. I was Stuart’s Valentine’s present and he called me his girl! I smelled like wood smoke and that’d because my foster home had a wood stove.

I had to be spayed and I remember that my people didn’t think I had bonded well to them yet. I had lived with them for about a month and a half before being spayed because I had gone into heat. I made the lips of the boy dogs living at our house quiver!! I have to say that I thought that was pretty funny! When Ann went to pick my up from the vet after the spay, I heard her say to the office staff – Oh, Chloe may not remember me – she is blind and hasn’t bonded yet. They adored Chloe – she was soooo sweet they’d say! Well, when I smelled Ann in the lobby, I let out the biggest welcoming yodel possible for a beagle! I yodeled and yodeled in happiness! That is when my people realized that blind dogs are more perceptive than what meets the eye and that just because I communicate on a different level doesn’t mean it means I am less sensitive! I had bonded indeed!

Over the course of time, my blind eyes had atrophied and had to be removed. Yet, I walked the fence-line day and night, in rain and shine, and in sickness and health. I was steadfast and determined to walk everyday. My tummy hung low and I had a toe that was crooked. I loved having the freedom to go outside whenever I wanted to, yet be safe and know that my soft bed and delicious food were always there for me. I really loved life to the fullest.

Now that my spirit has moved, I have to say that I know my people are sad and I know they cried about me, They took my dead body to show the other beagles, my friends, that I live with so they’d understand what happened to me (and a few of them did – they were sad, and you could tell), I was loved. And to die being loved and to have felt the heartbeat and warmth of that love with me up to the end was the best anyone could ask for. The real sadness is not for me, but for the pets that die without knowing that love. Alone. They never were given the chance to share their love like I was given. People believed in me. Even though I had bad teeth and endured several extractions, had no eyes, and developed cancer, I knew that my last 4 years on earth were full of love and friendship and the best care possible. I hope all pets can be as lucky as I was.

Love,
Chloe
July 26, 2007

Lovin' my Family

Chloe — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 22:40:26 +0100

Hi everybody! I don't know if you know this or not, but I live with 17 other spoiled beagles, just like me! Right now, I am asleep on my human companion's lap with Ginny! Yes, we are both sleeping on the same lap (so you know I am not actually writing this - I'm dreaming it! [wink!])

I do snore, but not very loudly. And, one year ago today I had my eye taken out. The other eye had already been removed the previous year due to infection. I can say that last year I played "Frankenbeagle" for Halloween! The big stitches were scary! This year, it has healed so well, that maybe I'll get crazy fake eyes and scare kids that stop by the house to "trick or treat"! Or, maybe I'll just hang by the door and beg for my own treats! I don't go far when treats are near! My nose is extra good now - I can tell you that!

In fact, I walk outside for hours everyday sniffing constantly. Rain or shine, I love cruising the yard and sniffing everything! I know my way around everywhere. I love being outside more than ever before, because the tall grasses do not scratch my eyes anymore! (My people mow as little as possible so we have fun places to play - secret places that we can't fully see from afar!) I don't go fast, but I do "truck" as my people say. "There goes Chloe truckin' through the yard!" Yep, I sniff and "read the yard paper" as often as I can.

It did rain a lot tonight and Remmy, our Alpha dog, got very upset. He hates the rain; especially thunder. He ate his dinner in his bed - he didn't even want to stand up! Me, I ate my dinner in my regular spot - and I was there promptly so I didn't miss a morsel!

I won't divuldge all of my brothers and sisters - maybe you'll eventually be able to guess which of us live together over time as you read our blogs! It can be like a game! A network game!

"See" ya later! [wink!]

Share the news: HEART - helping teens and pets!!!

Chloe — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:07:34 +0100

I took this directly from the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility website. The NCYF is located at: 2610 North 20th Street East, Omaha, Nebraska 68110, Phone: (402) 595-2000

Humane Education for At Risk Teens (H.E.A.R.T.)

Project H.E.A.R.T. is a joint program by the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility and the Nebraska Humane Society in which rowdy, last chance, juvenile dogs are paired with inmates for 12 weeks of intense training.

The inmates involved in the program submit an application and are required to interview before a panel as part of the selection process. Once in the program the inmates learn Human-Animal association and different disciplines involved in these associations to give them positive gains in the areas of vocational skills, anger management, decision making and responsibility. The inmates are given opportunity to exhibit responsibility for training, feeding, sheltering, grooming and control of the program's dogs. In addition, the inmates are involved in classroom instruction provided by a trainer from the Nebraska Humane Society where they research and explore relative information resulting in enhance writing skills. As a caregiver and dog-handler, the inmates develop a variety of skills through realizing the effectiveness of positive reinforcement and how to exercise patience.

At the conclusion of the 12-week program the dogs in the program are tested by the Companion Dog Company and certified as Canine Good Citizens. The dogs will then be returned to the Nebraska Humane Society and adopted by loving families in the community. Three new inmates and three new dogs will join the program for the next 12-week session. Inmates currently in the program will continue in the program to assist the new inmates involved.

Early in December 2000, three juvenile dogs from the Nebraska Humane Society were given a second chance, as they were the first dogs to enter the program. The benefits are countless, the inmates, staff, community, and dogs all profit from this unique program. If you have any questions about the H.E.A.R.T. program please contact Cathy Waller-Borovac, Assistant Warden, at (402) 595-2000.

The Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility received accreditation by the American Correctional Association with a score of 99.7% in its first ACA Audit in May, 2000.

For more information regarding this facility, please contact Jim Sweredoski the Public Information Officer at (402) 595-2000.

Is this cool or what??? a great idea, I think! Thanks for reading!

Cool Pets

Chloe — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 18:11:16 +0100

Didn't know if you knew about this site, but it's like "People" magazine, for pets!

CelebriPets!