10/29/2013:

Skylar with his RAGOM tag

Skylar arrived at our home very late on October 11th. I was so anxious to meet him. I knew he needed lots of TLC. When I opened his kennel door and scooped him out, I fell in love. Those cute little white paws and white patch on his nose… I hugged him and told him he was home. At that point, I did not know how true that would be.

Skylar came to RAGOM with 8 other dogs from a hoarding/abuse situation in Cando, North Dakota. They were all starving and sick. He traveled all day with RAGOM volunteers to get to Minneapolis. He was greeted at our house by our two resident Goldens and a foster. He met them all with his tail wagging. I think they told him he was safe now.

"My first night at home"

Skylar checking on his boy

Skylar was about 8 months to one year old. He was so small, weighing just 30 pounds. You could feel each of his vertebrae when you touched him. You couldn’t help but love him up. He loved the attention and quickly sought it out. Skylar had a gentle personality. Until he couldn’t any longer, he greeted me each morning with a wagging tail and put his paws on my lap to give me a morning hug.

Saturday, the morning after Skylar arrived; we headed to the VCA in Richfield. In addition to being very thin, he had enlarged lymph glands in his hind legs. A full blood panel was done in addition to the other routine tests. When we arrived home, I learned that the puppies that Skylar came into RAGOM with were testing positive for parvovirus, so Skylar needed to be isolated from our other dogs until we knew what he was dealing with. This was so hard for all the pups.

"I want to play with my new friends."

Skylar’s results weren’t great, but I was optimistic we could help him gain strength and get healthier with good food, medical care, and love. Unfortunately, Skylar didn’t have much of an appetite. All my RAGOM friends gave me great ideas on what I could make to tempt him.

Tuesday night, I noticed that Skylar’s third eye was almost closed and green matter was draining from it.

Wednesday morning, we visited VCA Richfield again. They gave him medicine for his eyes and told me it was just a waiting game now. He could get better or worse.

Thursday, Skylar kept me company as I worked. He lay next to me and slept. When he woke at 4 pm, he got up only to fall down again. Skylar was losing control of his muscles. We quickly took him to the emergency clinic where he spent the night. He had many tests and was given IV fluids and antibiotics.

The worst possible diagnosis came Friday morning. Skylar had distemper. I felt so helpless and angry and sad, but still fighting for Skylar.

Skylar at the Vet

By Saturday morning, just one week after joining my family and the RAGOM family, Skylar crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It was a very sad and difficult decision, but Skylar’s future on earth would not include running, playing with other dogs, or soliciting hugs from me. The disease had progressed even further in just another few hours. Skylar was pacing in circles, falling down, incontinent, developing a tic, and what still brings tears to my eyes is he wasn’t sure he should come to me for love.

I believe Skylar is in a much better place and had an important purpose here on earth. Skylar taught me to live in the present and appreciate every moment. He also reminded me that vaccines are not optional. Please give your dogs all the vaccines available. Both doctors had never seen a case of distemper in their careers and they are not new to the profession. This was preventable. Please advocate for the dogs that cannot.

Sleepy boy

I know Skylar would want to thank his doctors at VCA in Richfield who lovingly care for many RAGOM dogs. He’d also want to thank RAGOM and all the volunteers who took him in, transported him to us, and financially supported his medical care. If you donate to RAGOM, thank you! Your donations have helped hundreds of dogs find the homes they deserve this year alone.

I loved being his foster mom and although it was one the toughest weeks of my life, I would do it all over again so Skylar knew love and I got to know Skylar.