We Still Miss Our Baby!

Dear Friends:

Times does not heal wounds immediately. Time takes time! We are still missing Sophie and it's hard to believe that it will be one month since she has passed.

Just when we think that all is moving on and we have accepted her passing, something reminds us about what an emptiness she has left behind in our hearts and lives. We are walking and watching a neighbor's dog which has helped us focus in a positive way upon a dog that needs some company and is very appreciative.

Today we walked to the park where Sophie would go, it was nice but hard to believe that she's not here. Every day it does get a bit easier.

Please donate to all animal shelters as there are so many beautiful animals that need a home and need care.

Love,
Sophie's Family

Sophie's Family Mourns

Dear Friends:

We, Sophie's family want to thank everyone for all of your help and for all of your kind words.
We miss Sophie very much and believe that she remains with us in spirit as she certainly remains within our hearts. We are mourning and each day gets a bit easier though losing Sophie is an emptiness within our lives.

Please give to all animal charities and help shelter animals and all pets and owners in need. Our pets are the angelic beings.

We send Love and Light,
Sophie's Family

Sophie RIP 1994-2009

Dear Ones:

Thank you so much for your friendship and generosity.

Sophie's body had gone septic and she had gangrene in her wound. The vet said she would have needed intensive care and then there would be no guarantee. It was most humane to euthanize her.

The vet said that there was very little hope for her as he was sure that her wound was indeed a malignant tumor, not a lipoma. Sophie was put down peacefully at 4:20pm as We held and kissed her and told her how much we love her and what a great dog she is. She was so calm and as though she understood it was her time to leave us. We had her favorite toys around her: her squeaky monkey and her "baby" a cat stuffed animal that once had a dress and a face but remained in tact. Her "baby" was a stuffed animal that was once mine, but when she was a puppy she chose it as her toy.

We want to express our gratitude to all of you who have prayed for and donated to her cause. We wish to keep her cause alive to help with remaining medical expenses and cremation costs. We'd also like to the continue to request donations for families who cannot afford to get medical care for their beloved pets. Also for animal charities, shelters and relief funds. Pets are angels, special beings sent to us to teach us about unconditional love, we care for them and they love us unconditionally.

Our wish is that each one of you is fortunate to experience the love of a dear pet and a genuine love in all areas of your lives. As much as loss is painful, our family, pets and the lives of others are gifts, but they are gifts that we cannot always keep. Our vet said to us, "May we all one day have as much love around us when we pass, as Sophie has had today". Love is one gift we can keep, love remains in our hearts when we have loved. We love you Sophie, happy trails dearest family pup.

Love,
Sophie's Family

UPDATE for Sophie's Cause Monday July 20th

Dear Friends,

We want to thank you for all of your prayers and donations. We have been able to take Sophie to vet and get her meds and baby food which she has been eating. However her strength is very low.

Her left side is most effected. Left leg is swollen and her abdomen is swollen as though she were lactating. This seems to be indicative of a heart episode, possibly from her fever, infection. Though her fever went down she got at her wound and it has been bleeding.

Sophie has a collar-cone on, however weak she has been she is willful about trying to chew at her wound.

Pray as at 4pm today we go to vet. She cannot walk, stand, has to be carried out, pee's and then falls down and goes to sleep and pants when she stands. Last night she fell over and peed on herself, she has been unable to defecate though she has no strength to position herself or squat.

It seems she's having heart failure as well as this lump that she bit open. Because of the donations we have been able to take her to the vet. We'll see.
Love,
Sophie and Family

Have Bad Infection, Please Pray!

Sophie and family want to thank you all for your support and donations. Sophie's infection has worsened. She has fever which was very high last night 105.2, it has thankfully gone down to 103.6, not great but it's progress. She saw vet today and is on antibiotics which are essential if she is to have surgery.

Also a lovely healer named Deborah is going to be conducting a distant spiritual healing on Sophie Monday so please tune in and send your kind thoughts for a speedy recovery. Sophie is also scheduled to see her doctor on Monday providing the antibiotics work, let's all pray.

Sophie is such an amazing, beautiful dog we hate to see her suffer like this. She is sleeping and has calmed down. We have been nursing her all night long with lots of water, cold compresses and warm compresses on her abscess.

Please tell everyone that you know about Sophie for Sophie is one of millions of beautiful, magnificent dogs from loving families whose lives have been devastated by the economic downturn. We are very, very grateful for all of your help.

Love,
Sophie and family

Please share this link with everyone that you know who can help.
http://pledgie.com/campaigns/4965

UPDATE for Sophie's Cause

Dear Friends,

We are very touched by all the love, prayers and donations to Sophie's Cause. We have been put in contact with a charity organization that will cover a percentage of the surgery bill.

At this point we need to come up with $500.00 more dollars before we can schedule the surgery. Please help if you can. Any surplus donations after the surgery and after care are covered will be donated to ASPCA.

http://pledgie.com/campaigns/4965

With Love and Gratitude,
Sophie and Family

Thanks for All the people helping me out

Dear Friends:

My family and I thank you all for giving donations to my medical care. My lump has opened up and is infected. I need a surgery ad with you helpful donations I will be able to attain the relief I need.
Love,
Sophie

http://pledgie.com/campaigns/4965

Ouch! I have an Infection, Wound is Open, I Need Surgery, Can You Help?

As I mentioned before my family have gone broke trying to care for me. I have had fatty lumps(Lipomas) since after 9/11 when I lived in New York.

My side wound opened up again yesterday and my family are going crazy trying to figure out how to help me.

Many people think, oh well you are old for a dog, you should be put down, why have a surgery? Well I am energetic, alert, like taking walks and see fairly well and have all my faculties. Besides my family loves me so much and were once able to care for me very well before their money ran out. My family wants to help me and they have been struggling to make ends meet.

So please help me if you can. I'm a great and special dog. Very loved and all because of money my life may be compromised.

Love,
Sophie

http://pledgie.com/campaigns/4965

The Dog Days of Summer Need Siesta Time

Woof Woof, Sniff Sniff, Kiss Kiss:

I need siestas every afternoon when it gets hot. I like walking when it is night and it's cooler, providing that there's no rain or extra humidity.

Everyone must make sure that there's plenty of water for us pets. Don't go on any walks or long car rides without Extra Cool Water. In fact no one should be going out in hot weather without lots of cool water.

Above all don't lock your dog or baby in a hot car while you go shopping or whatever, it's inhumane and if that word escapes you it's plain old dumb and brainless to leave a baby, human or a furry one locked in a car in this heat. Be aware we all need extra cool water in such heat.

Woof Woof, Sniff Sniff, Kiss Kiss,
Love,
Sophie

A Happy Fourth of July Weekend

Hi Friends,

I have good days and bad days. I always hated rain and only go out to do my business and then run back in. Lightening frightens me and there was a thunder storm the other night and I ran to my mommy who hugged me and made me feel calmer. At 15 I'm still a puppy as far as I'm concerned.

I only walk on a leash and love when my whole family walks me, hey we dogs are pack animals:).

Because yesterday was not hot and the scary fireworks were far and few where I live I was ok. I love summer nights lying on the cool grass and cookies, red delicious apples, broccoli and carrots as snacks. Mommy says that this has been the secret to my age. I appreciate all the help people have given me and my family. These are rough times for animals and their families.

Woof woof, sniff, sniff, kiss kiss,
Love,
Sophie

Yesterday was cooler and dryer

I had a better day yesterday. My toe has a fatty lump and I have one on my side and the one on my toe was bothering me and has been on and off. I need surgery again and a vet visit but my family have run out of funds and are struggling. A couple of kind people have begun to help me out but I need help as does my family who like many people are struggling.

I have been on twitter and connecting with many other pets and families. Man people have been friending me which makes me happy:)

Kiss kiss, sniff sniff woof-woof
Love,
Sophie

Weekend update

It was very hot and humid the past few days. Today was wonderful, sunny and dry and my walking is always better when it is cooler and dryer. Just want to thank all the people who have been so helpful.

I had yummy meals, my mommy made homemade tomato sauce last night with No Onions, but it had garlic and I've been eating a little garlic for 15 years. I had a little lick yummy!!!

My old vet said that many of the little Italian grandmas for years swore by garlic for fleas and good health.

Sleeping now but dreaming of romping in huge green fields with lots of cookies and pizza, yummy, I Love Pizza! But only get lots of doggie food, broccoli bones and doggie cookies.

Sniff Sniff, kiss kiss,
Love,
Sophie

Sophie Update

Hello Dear Friends:

I am so grateful for all the support and some donations have come. When we hit 1,500.00 my family will schedule my surgery. http://pledgie.com/campaigns/4965

My left toe hurts because I also have a fatty lump there, along with the one on my side and a tiny growth on my eyelid which causes my eye to tear at times. My family are doing the best that they can but the bad economy and my medical bills have racked up. Some kind lady donated a bag of yummy dog food:) My Family hope to raise money for my surgery and back bills.

I will keep you posted how my cause is coming along. Right now it's muggy and I don't do that well with rain and heat. I prefer cooler weather which excites me and gets me wanting to walk Everywhere. My family take me on walks because sore toe or not, us Otterhounds love to keep active and have to get a good dose of daily aroma therapy, which means for me: checking out the smells in my neighborhood.

Woff Woff, Sniff Sniff and Kiss Kiss!
Love from Sophie and family

"Sophie's Story"

"Sophie's Story"

Hello, my name is Sophie. I am a 15 year old mutt. They tell me I'm an Otterhound mix, whatever that means. My journey began in Long Island, New York where I was born.

I came from a good home with a loving, caring family with children. I was well trained with my own lawn and yard. I loved playing with the children. After a while I got lost and a nice person picked me up and brought me to North Shore Animal League.

I was left alone there for what seemed like an eternity. I quickly grew to be a full grown pooch, but I was so sad and often wondered "What did I do wrong to wind up alone and abandoned without a home and family?"

I had become ill with worms, fleas and kennel cough. Then one day a miracle happened. A glamorous movie star came to North Shore Animal League with some other nice ladies. They were looking for a dog to give as a birthday present to a special man. Later that afternoon I went to Manhattan to meet the man who would be my new owner and that night I met my new mommy, the same lady who has loved and cared for me until today.

In time my new daddy was traveling a great deal and I bonded with my new mommy. She took me for long walks and fed me all kinds of great treats! I never felt more loved. I did miss the children who once owned me and played with me, so every time I heard children laughing and running I wanted to run and play with them.

Soon the kind man and my new mommy separated but I stayed in New York City with her. I had all sorts of doggie friends and of course some arch-enemies. There was an older German Shepherd who got annoyed at my rambunctious energy. She pinned me down and put me in my place. I also had another enemy, a high-strung Rottweiler named Madonna, who barked ferociously at me whenever Mommy and I walked past her. Chill out, wouldja Madge?

Mommy eventually met a wonderful man who has become my new Daddy. Soon Mommy and Daddy had children which filled my heart with joy! I am so lucky to have a new loving family.

When September 11th, 2001 happened it was very scary in downtown New York City. When I went outside the sky was all black and the air was dark gray. People were crying and everyone was frightened. I was frightened too and could not smell anything after a while, because all the familiar smells in my neighborhood were replaced by a smoky smell. Even today I still panic whenever my Mommy or Daddy accidentally burn food on the stove as us dogs never forget such events and smell associations.

The air was horrible to breathe but we all soldiered on and soon the air began to clear again. About one year later I began to develop fatty lumps on me. Mommy took me to a doctor and he removed some lumps. A few months later I developed a limp and could not walk. A lump was pressing on a nerve under my left front leg. The doctor removed that lump and some more. I was in terrible shape and had drains where the lumps were removed. In no time I came back, though I still occassionally lose my footing.

I always had the best food and treats. I went to the vet often and had a few more lumps removed when I had dental work done. It was always traumatic waking up and having to wear a cone-collar so I did not chew my stitches. But my family always brought me back to health and I am so happy and loved.

People love me wherever I go because they say I'm adorable! I'll leave it to you to decide if I'm cute or not. My family loves me and their care has seen me all the way to 15 years old - That's like 105 in dog years. I have some arthritis and my vision is a little less sharp but I'm very good other than that.

Mommy and Daddy have hit some hard times. We have had to move because they lost work with the bad economy and have also lost money with their IRAs. I have gotten very sick with one of those nasty lumps becoming an abscess. They had to borrow money to pay for my vet bill and have not been able to pay their rent for a little while. I need surgery to remove this lump because the doctor says that it might be more serious.

I hope that you can help me get my medical care and help Mommy and Daddy pay back the bills that my illness has caused them. They love me very much but my family, like many families are having a tough time making ends meet.

Can you please help us? Donate to Sophie's Cause!

Some people might say "What's the big deal, you're fifteen, you've been lucky so far and you've lived a better and longer life than many dogs?" My answer to you is one word - LOVE! I am loved so much by my family and I love them. You can never put a price tag on love. But with your help I can have my proper care and medical needs met. You would also be giving the most incredible gift to my family because I mean a lot to them. Please help us if you can, and if you cannot, please remember me and my family in your prayers. Thank you!