We just had to put our Chance to sleep on Monday. He will be cremated, and we'll keep an urn in the living room by his picture.


Monday was hard, and I have had a few sad moments since then. But we are lucky to have our two sheltie girls (Jewel & Fairway) to keep us smiling.


We don't know how old Chance really was. We found him on June 7, 2003. He was in pretty rough shape, and I thought he was really quite old. He had hook worm & tape worm. After he was all healed up & fattened up, the vet said he was really only 2 or 3.


Chance had a seizure in January (Scared us to death!!!). And then was fine for a couple months. And then the seizures started coming more frequently. After a couple vet visits, we decided to take him for a 2nd opinion. Its about a 1/2 hour drive to get there, but really we prefer them. They felt a suspicious lump in his abdomen. And after X-rays & an ultrasound, they were fairly certain it was cancer. He had several spots show up. So we brought him home to enjoy his last days, they said definitely not more than 3 months. Well it was just over a month, and he really was not himself. The vet said Monday it was definitely his time.


I just hope we gave him enough good years to make up for whatever he went through before he found us!



My husband was very unhappy when Chance found us, and forbid me to keep him. That lasted ohhhh about 1 hour, ha ha. After that Chance became his buddy, and followed him wherever he would go.

Here is a picture of what he looked like when we found him June 7, 2003

And here is our pretty boy, after he was all fixed up

How lucky he was you found him and what a wonderful picture. Pictures just say so much more than can be put into words.
I'm sorry you had to lose him but it sounds like you gave him something special in his lifetime that he might not have found.
You certainly kept on top of it and did all the right things and while that is comforting, it doesn't make the feeling of loss any less.
I'm glad you have the company of your 2 others...I have always found that to be a tremendous help when I had to lose one.
I had a golden part shepherd, part boxer (looked like a Shepherd but was golden color like a boxer). She needed a home at 6 months old so I took her. At 3 years she started seizures which at that time was diagnosed as epilepsy with no cure. They also went from once a month to 2 to 3 times a week. I had to put her down before she choked on her tongue during one of them...when there is no cure..I can't let them suffer if I hear that's a possibility. It was a bad time. My regular vet loved her and couldn't do it so he sent me to a stranger. I went to the wrong address and had a vet screaming at me how cruel I was to put this what appeared to be a healthy dog down. I managed to get out of there and find the right place so I was twice as upset when it was happening. I was living alone at the time so I did all this by myself but I had recently adopted a small puppy who was waiting at home. I'll never forget that experience and hope no one ever goes through it but your use of the word ...seizure...reminded me. I know just how scary seizures can be. Mine would flip in the air and go unconscious. I had neighbors running over saying they saw her do that in the backyard and I would find her having a seizure.
It was over in about 5 or 10 minutes but when they came more frequently..it was very difficult. She was perfectly normal and healthy otherwise which made it hard to believe there was a problem. It is not an easy decision but I believe you did everything right for Chance and he will always be part of your family cause he lives in your hearts. What you gave him DID make up for anything he lacked prior to your finding him (there just is no question about that). Take care.

Thank you for the reply


We had started visited a local vet, just to save the trip. But after this experience, we will be making the longer trip for all of our future vet needs.


Cole Veterinary in Saginaw Michigan. Dr. Hagenauer is the most caring man.


They told my husband not to worry about paying at that very moment. They will send us a bill later.

on Wednesday I received mail from them, which I thought for sure was a bill. Instead it was a card from their office, with the Rainbow Bridge Poem....



It is so much worth the drive, to be able to have our animals cared for by this man.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. **hugs** I also had to put my beloved animal to sleep on monday so i know how you feel. It is good that you have other animals in your house to comfort you during this time. I am glad that you have such a caring vet, that really makes such a difference. We are having trouble finding a good vet in our city.

It is wonderful that you gave him a few good years where he was well taken care of and loved. So many animals have a rough start in life, and many never get the chance to experience what you gave him.

What a beautiful puppy Chance was! It helps to share pictures. I know how hard it is to lose one of your own. Your two girls will help you, as I'm sure you will help them, to get through this time. It is so hard to pinpoint when it is time but I do believe that when you have such a connection to someone, you inherently know. Chance is not suffering anymore and he is at the Bridge making some new friends. Maybe he will meet my Duffy. I am so sorry for your loss.

Chance's chance was to meet up with an angel family like yours. Be proud , know that Chance's life was changed and he got to know love and happiness, a good home and the best people, what else can all of us ask for more. People like you are a rare breed! Hugs and know that he is in your heart, keeping it warm and alive so that you can continue your good deeds on this earth. Hugs to you, you are beautiful, may life treat you royally because you deserve it!

Chance was a very handsome and powerful looking lab. I am so sorry that it was his time to leave your family. He was so lucky to have found such a loving family to give him such a great home.

When you look at his picture you will see in his eyes that he really appreciated all that you did for him. He came to you with health issues and was struggling. His transformation was incredible as was the strength that he had. You gave him a second chance at life and made him feel so very loved.

May the memories you shared fill your heart with joy.