Baleigh (? to 2009)

Dear Lee, 
 
It is with a very sad heart that I must inform you that Baleigh died peacefully in my arms this morning. She had developed a malignant tumor in her rectum. I had been watching her carefully for any signs of discomfort and last night I knew it was time for her to leave me. The vet met us early this morning, he gave her sedative and she fell asleep with her head in my lap, before the second injection. 
 
I want to thank you for allowing me to share the life of this wonderful baby and I will so sorely miss her, but grateful for all the great memories. 
 
Broken-hearted, 
Bonnie 

 

Baleigh is loving life in CT.

      

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Tiffany went to her forever home on Sunday August 21st, 2005. She is now living in Groton Long Point, CT.

Update in October 2008:

Baleigh and her momma are doing great and living life well and traveling to places like Maine and Newport RI.

Update on November 30, 2006:

Dear Lee,

I hope you could understand Baleigh's letter: she insisted on writing you herself.

She is doing very well and just loves HER kitten.

Her stomach aches are all but history, She gets about one a month, as long as, she sticks to prescription dog food, medications and her walk routine.

Baleigh and I are going to five nursing homes, a senior center, adult day care and she has been a guest at several elementary schools' "Show and Tell". I think the kids and senior residents really enjoy her visits: they just love her calm and gentle manner and Baleigh is very generous with her puppy kisses. We are averaging about six hours per week. She, not I, has received invitations to three holiday parties. I will have to accompany her to guard her from well-intended people food treats.

I have a friend who has advanced breast cancer. When her husband is away overnight on business, Sara will call and ask if Baleigh can spend the night with her. Baleigh gets right in on the husband's side of the bed and Sara cuddles right up against her. Poor Monet is lonely and has to settle with me for the night.

Little Monet is definitely Baleigh's kitten. From day one, Monet has snuggled up to her and the two can usually be found together. Baleigh willingly shares her food, water and toys. Baleigh will lie down and gently wag her tail and allow Monet to try and catch it. Monet will often straddle the back of Baleigh's neck and wash Baleigh's head and Baleigh is always grooming the kitten When I take Baleigh out, Monet whimpers at the door and awaits her return.

Baleigh has brought so much comfort and love to so many . She is very much loved in return and I am so grateful that she found her way from New Orleans, with the help of you and GSGRR, to Connecticut to share her life with us.

Happy Holidays,
Bonnie

Update as of December 19, 2005:

Happy Holidays.

Baleigh is doing better but is on very expensive medication and prescription dog food, no human food and frequent walks. She was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome after a colon biopsy at Tufts. I had the choice of putting her on steroids, which is very inexpensive but have a lot of side effects or this other drug. She is on a high dose of Sulfasalazine 1500 mg three times a day (>$200.00 per month). After her tummy settles down, we hope to eventually decrease down to 500 mg twice a day, then maybe once a day. Her elecrolytes were way out of balance from the constant diarrhea but that is pretty much corrected. She seems a lot more comfortable and happier. I was so afraid I was going to have to put her down. Although it would have broken my heart, I would not have allowed her to suffer.

I can tell when her stomach hurts. She usually curls up in a sad ball on her bed with her "baby". I have a warm pack, that is shaped like a golden and is soft and fuzzy, which I heat up in the microwave. When I bring it to her, she unrolls enough so I can put it up to her tummy. I think it helps, because now when she wants it reheated, she brings
it to me. Fortunately, these events are happening less and less On her original papers from from the SPCA, it states she was surrendered due to illness. My guess is this may have been the problem. She will always be on the thyroid medication which is very inexpensive and she probably will have an occasional flare up of IBS. As long as they both can be managed, we are both happy.

She is the love of life and constant companion, She is a sweetheart, very mellow with all people, loves kids and the three cats but is very dog aggressive.

I will send you a copy of the picture I used on my Christmas card. Hope you enjoy the holiday with Rosie and Josie.

Bonnie and Baleigh

Update as of August 23:

Oh Lee,
Baleigh is such a sweetheart and such a good match for me. She is sweet and loving, is a wonderful paper shredder, wants something is her mouth all the time, walks well on a leash, doesn't bark, and has started to exercise the cats especially Oscar No. She chases the cats, but only as a game and they seem to understand she won't hurt them, because they come right back to her.

She LOVES to ride in the car: getting her out of it can be a problem. Yesterday, we went to Petco for toys and she freaked out. I think it was the smell of all the other dogs and she thought she was going to be left again. So we just left and I won't bring her again.

She does have very dry skin and fur is quite thin. My teal carpeting looks like it has confetti all over but that is why we have vacuums. I really wanted to take her swimming yesterday but was afraid the salt water might dry her skin out even more. She has first appointment with her veterinarian on Thursday morning. It is probably from her low thyroid and can be helped with medication and maybe some special shampoo for doggie dandruff.

I am going to take her over to the boat today and she how she does. There are several other pups there for her to meet. I want to see if she feels comfortable enough to get on the boat and if she does, we will power over to Noank for some fuel. If she does well then we might try a sail in a light breeze. There are plenty of seafaring dogs around here and I will see what she thinks about it. Avery loves to sail and sometimes comes with us and maybe she will feel better if Avery comes for the first time, Whatever her comfort level allows.

Lee, I want to thank you and Jim so much for bringing Baleigh into my life. It is obvious you do this for the love of these wonderful dogs but you also make a lot of new owners very happy I was so impressed by your entire adoption process: application, contact, adoption, concern and care during fostering, matching and follow-up. Being retired, I have more time than most and would be very happy to do some volunteer work for your worthy organization, just me know how I can be most
helpful.

I still don't have a correct e-mail for Jim. Could you please send one or forward this letter onto him.

Thanks again and I hope we continue to stay in contact.

Bonnie and Baleigh

Update as of Monday August 22.

"Tiffany" has a new life and a new name.
Baleigh had a very busy day: a walk on the beach, a play date with Avery and his human family, a visit to Uncle Geoff's clinic, and shopping for a whole bunch of new toys. She is coming out her shell and isn't as timid as yesterday. Baleigh LOVES to ride in the car and is reluctant to get out when we reach our destination. She has a stuffed Golden puppy she carries all around the house and we are calling it her baby.

Thursday we will see Dr. Dave to have him check out her thyroid and very dry skin. She has a very sweet disposition, loves to give doggie kisses, and believes everything that is mine is hers also and doesn't
hesitate to cover it all with dog slobber.

Bonnie and Baleigh