We adopted Remo (4 years old) and Regina (3 years old) on May 31, 2003. HART rescued them from a rural shelter just before they were to be put down. Both of their bio's said that they were best friends and if they were placed in a home together, it would make them very happy. Oh..., and that they would both like a home with a fenced yard. Luckily we had enough room in our hearts for two dogs and even more importantly, we had a fenced in back yard, so home they came with us. We immediately installed a doggie door, bought bones, balls, kongs, squeaky toys and pounds and pounds of treats. We didn't have children, so they became our late in life babies. We learned to sleep in a small space as they sprawled and snuggled us to the edge of the bed each night. We celebrated their birthday as their adoption day each year.
HART was right to request a fenced yard for them. It became Remo's favorite place to go. Twenty pounds of attitude, he loved to stand sentry in the back yard. No squirrel dared step into his domain. More times than I can count, Remo and Regina would start playing with each other in one room, then tear through the house chasing each other, full tilt, out through the dog door and around the back yard, circling several times before returning, panting heavily, tails wagging and then cover us with sloppy dog kisses. I'm not sure who was happier, them or us.
It was during one of these back yard romps in 2008 when Remo suddenly slowed down, took a couple of steps and then passed out. I rushed him to the vet to discover he had advanced degenerative heart valve disease. To worsen the situation, his trachea was collapsing, he developed kidney disease and he had cataracts in both of his eyes.
Through a heavy regimen of medicines, we were able to stabilize all of his conditions and sustain his life for another 2 and a half years. He had great medical care through Dr. Linda Prime at Tackett's Mill Veterinary Hospital and his doctors at Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates.
Medical conditions that would depress most people, Remo remained a happy and very playful little boy. Unfortunately, his medical conditions began to worsen and his trachea significantly collapsed. He had great difficulty breathing and he stopped eating, even his favorite chicken and rice.
On January 4th he left this world in my arms and with his best friend Regina by his side. I can't even begin to describe how sad I felt at that moment. The unconditional love of a pet is a very special gift. We loved him very much and we all miss him immensely, especially his BFF, Regina. Thank you HART for rescuing Remo and Regina and for providing us with the extraordinary opportunity to have our lives enriched by such a special friend and companion. We were his forever home. He has our forever love.
Maureen, Debi and Regina