In Loving Memory...

 

Omar started out as a cute little schnauzer mix who needed to be bailed out of the pound because he was “too old” to be adopted out, and his life was hanging in the balance. We were inundated with requests to take him- from the shelter workers to the volunteers, to the transport teams- everybody wanted us to save Omar from a terribly certain future. How could we say no? So, Omar made his way to Young At Heart, and we began the normal routine to find him a forever home. When we received the call from his foster mom, Lisa, that she had found a tumor in a not-so-pleasant place, our hearts sank. Omar had lymphoma. We talked to our vet, a specialist, and then our vet again. Omar was uncomfortable, but his will to live was amazing. We agreed to give it everything we could, as long as Omar kept fighting.
We would let him decide when the fight became too much.

We had high hopes that the tumor could be removed by a specialist, but alas ,the tumor was in a terrible spot. Removing the tumor would leave Omar incontinent and without control of his bowels. The specialist felt surgery should be a last resort. Omar’s only hope was chemotherapy. The rescue opted to give Omar a trial run on the Chemo, and then decide if going forward with $3000 of treatment was justified. We didn’t want Omar to suffer, but we didn’t want to give up on him either. It was up to Omar now.

Omar took to Chemo like a champ, only succumbing to nausea a few times, but otherwise remained upbeat and kept his tail wagging! Six sessions later, no tumor could be found, and Omar was declared to be in remission! With Omar on the mend, the question became “how adoptable is Omar”? The answer- probably not very. But, he’s healthy for the time being, and happy, and looking forward to his golden days.

After much deliberation and discussion, Omar has become Young At Heart’s first Sanctuary Dog. Omar will live with his wonderful Sanctuary Family, the Krinningers,
and will receive the love and care he deserves. Welcome home, Omar!

November 27, 2007

Well guys, I'm feeling pretty yucky this week. I went to the doc today, and my lymph nodes are swollen again. The original tumor can no longer be found, but I'm having some neurological issues, and the vet thinks maybe the cancer is in my brain. My cancer-free period was so short, but I got to do lots of great stuff! I even got to go on a couple family vacations, and if you know me, you would know that I LOVE camper time!

Never fear, the rescue is going to let me tell them when it's my time to go. It's nice to have a place where they listen to me. They listened when I said I wanted to fight, and I fought a good one, too! I even beat that cancer for a while! But now I've told them I'm done fighting, and they have listened. They won't let me suffer, and for that, I am thankful. I'm thankful for lots of things- my family, my friends here at the rescue, and especially, a warm loving place to call home.

A lot of old dogs didn't end up as lucky as I did. A lot of old dogs spent their last days on concrete in a loveless place. Don't be sad for me. I was rescued! And I have lived the fullest life an old dog could live in these past 9 months! I promise to keep you all updated, but I plan on enjoying these last days before I go romping around in heaven with others who have gone before me.
Gourmet meals, soaking up the sun through a window, being held by family- ahh, life is good.
Be good to each other, and to your pets.

With love and wags, Omar

November 29, 2007

I just wanted to update you all on Omar. Lisa called yesterday with the news that Omar was heading downhill fast. His lymph nodes were all swollen again and his blood work was terrible. He was not able to walk much on his own and seemed painful. He was dry heaving a lot and just miserable. Everyone in the family had a sleepover in the living room with Omar last night after his steak dinner and lots of love, and at 3am he took a turn for the worse.

The Krinninger's took Omar in to the vet this morning to bring him the final relief he needed. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for Lisa and her family to take him in and give him so much love these last 9 months. He truly was a lucky dog to find such a wonderful group of people to love him even as the sun set on his life. Omar was and always will be the start of something wonderful for this rescue- a place where "unadoptable" old dogs and cats can find sanctuary.

Be joyous, Omar. Run and jump and frolic like a pup again.
We'll meet you at the Bridge when the time comes.

 

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