Shiloh, a little fawn pug who was a friend of mine crossed Rainbow Bridge today. He changed MY life.
I never got to meet Shiloh. When he was a puppy he had demodex -- about 10 years ago. I met Shiloh's "mom" Rita via email because she knew I had success helping folks with demodex dogs. Via email I was able to help her and Shiloh completely recovered from the Demodex.
But Rita and I found we had a lot in common -- we became friends. She has always cared about and prayed for me and my dogs, and I've cared about and prayed for her and her dogs.
Shiloh and his brother Toby reminded me how much I've always loved pugs. Hearing about their antics made them so close to me.
Rita and I have become very very good friends -- she's the one who taught me so much about seizure dogs ( then I wound up with one - Kee Shu) and even more about rescue. She's the sister I've never had really.
Finally in June, 2008 I got the fateful email about the little fawn pug who was so very very sick with Demodex and could I help her long distance with some advice because they didn't think this little pug would make it. That was Tinkerbell.
Shiloh developed pancreatitis and it's been a very difficult battle. They did everything and really thought he was progressing and then he arrested this afternoon. He was on a respirator when she got there and she sat with him and loved on him and told him how much she loved him and wanted him to get better.
But she could sense he was agitated ... and she told him if he really felt like he needed to go across the Bridge it was ok ... that *she would be OK* if he really felt like he had to go but to know she loved him.
He looked up at her, closed his eyes, and just plain left. He was gone. The vet was astonished that he responded so fully to her words. She said "It's as if he was waiting for you". And Rita told her she was certain that was exactly what it was.
One little pug. Instrumental in forming a once in a lifetime friendship. Instrumental in my efforts to reach out to more and more people with demodex dogs ... because I could follow Shiloh and know just one more situation where it helped.
Shiloh -- your Mom will miss you so very much. So will I. But when you walked over the top of Rainbow Bridge -- Mickey was waiting for you ... as was my Foxy and Muffin (who heard about you all the time) .... and Kee Shu who loved the little pug you sent her. The humans are all sad tonight. WE miss you. But you're playing with Mickey and running free ... and Kee Shu is telling Foxy one more time that pugs really DO snort like that all the time ... but it's so nice to cuddle with them when they snore!!
Shiloh -- you're loved. And you're one little pug who made a very big difference in my world. Rest in peace my friend. And there's lots of food there -- and you'll never get too fat!!