PRANCER
I sadly write to inform you a most wonderful dog and DSA Prancer of 19 strong and happy years passed away on Jan 8th at 8pm. Prancer had a tremendous heart and gave me his all to the end. We enjoyed a great last day together. He ran straight to the car for our normal morning routine of a ride to the corner coffee shop for a coffee for me and a gourmet peanut butter doggie bone for him. We did this regularly almost everyday……. He walked in the yard as I worked in the garden on the new Pineapple Patch I had just put in a few days earlier. I left home around 1pm and Prancer stayed behind for his usual afternoon nap with Kevin. On returning around 3pm he was at the door ready to go out for a potty break and we walked into the yard together and out of no where he began gabbing and spiting up white think saliva. We rushed him to a local vet in Florida, calling our KY vets all along the way. Prancer was in sever respiratory distress and needed help ASAP!! On our arrival at the local vet they explained he needed a better equipped facility. They referred us to the Emergency Vet in Melbourne Beach. We drove like mad to get him there as we pulled up to the door Prancer took his last breathe and died on the spot, my heart broke. I fell to the ground and cried like I never did before.....my beloved devoted obedient loyal companion of 19yrs was gone. I lost my very best friend!! I had to know the cause.... We carried Prancer's lifeless body into the hospital for the vets to examine him. He told us it was "Spontaneous Bloat" Although rare to happen in a dog like him and the diet and conditions, etc. The vet explained it can happen any time in any dog. There are factors and breeds that it is more common in, such as the large deep barrel chest breeds or in dogs that have food and water prior to exercise. We were aware of these facts. We watched our dogs and their exercise especially not to cause a problem as this, but despite our best efforts this is what ended his life. He will so be missed by many. In his 19 years he brought such joy to old/sick folks in nursing homes, retirement centers, he taught children of all ages to love and care for pets in their homes through outreach, he starred on our public access program PETWISE, he received his Good K9 Citizen award, he helped with countless frightened foster dogs and cats that I brought home through rescue. He would be there to give them the needed reassurance in a new home. He passed his DSA title a few years back, enjoyed his outings with the Dog Scouts, walked in the march to open the new Ft Thomas Dog Park we have today in Ft. Thomas Ky. and loved me everyday of my life. He knew me and I know him so well we were a team. He won contests regularly with his good looks and great manners. He traveled to Ohio, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Michigan. He boated, he sailed, he swam, he hiked, he was my fluffy beautiful white shadow he went with me wherever I went. He waited patiently for me always.....he was truly my best friend. My heart is broken and my spirit is dimmed. He was one of a kind no doubt in my mind. He loved and enjoyed life and taught me to love and enjoy it too! I will miss him and so will countless others. I hope to see him again one day over the rainbow bridge........my awesome boy PRANCER.