Chika April 1, 1997 - June 30, 2011

My Chika, My Heart ~ April 1, 1997 – June 30, 2011

We had to make the heart wrenching decision to say goodbye to our sweet girl, Chika, on June 30, 2011.
I am devastated, DH and I both are. I still can’t believe this has come to be.

How to tell her story spanning 14 years in a few paragraphs? She was amusing, loving, stubborn, entitled, soft, sweet, cooperative, independent, territorial, content, surprising. She changed us from a couple to a family. All of our decisions became focused around Chika, specifically after her initial dx.

We were devastated to get her FD dx in June, 2007. We were so fortunate to eventually land in Lantus Land and I will be eternally grateful for all that I learned here, for the hand holding, the advice and the kind words. The Acromegaly dx came another year after that. We had her tested at the strong urging of Jojo despite Chika’s vet at the time initially refusing to do the test. It was not the acro that took her. We weren’t able to definitively dx it but from her symptoms her (wonderful) new vet believed she had cancer. Chika began her decline a year ago and it picked up considerable speed in the past 3 months. We had a constant struggle to get food into her and consequently she went from a healthy 12.5 pounds to a skeletal 7.5 pounds (she had a large frame). Her dose went from 10 u BID down to a fat 0 BID with many skipped shots. We tried some treatments, mirtazapine, pepcid and prednisolone but none of it seemed to make much difference and as easy as she had been to treat for her FD, she was very unhappy with these new treatments and frequent vet visits as we tried to find answers. Chika’s quality of life was quickly disappearing and as much as I couldn’t bear to lose her, even more, I couldn’t helplessly watch her suffer. It was a horrible decision to make but I know it was the right one. I miss her so much.

I am still looking for her shadow under the door when I come home.

 

oh no. (((((((Juanita))))))))

I was just thinking about you guys today, no kidding. I look at Chika's spreadsheet often because you did such a good job regulating her diabetes, even with acromegaly. For some reason I always felt a connection to Chika. I'm so sorry to hear that you have lost your little girl.

Fly free, sweet Chika. wings_cat

 

((((Juanita))))

I don't think that I ever had the opportunity to post in one of Chika's condos. Nonetheless, the loss is still painful. No matter that in your heart you know you made the right decision, it still hurts. Thank you for sharing what is undoubtedly a small part of what makes Chika so special with us.

Fly free Chika and land softly. There are many who we love who will greet you at the Bridge.

 

(((Juanita and DH))) I am so sorry to hear that you have lost your beloved Chika. She was another one of our special Old Timers, and will be sadly missed by all of us here. You made the most difficult, and most loving, decision to set her free at the end. I was saddened by your comment about looking for her shadow when you come home. My thoughts are with you in your time of loss.

 

hi Juanita

I am very sorry to see that Chika has passed on. ((((hugs))))
She is in a good place with her friends, happy and playing.

Thank you for posting Juanita, I know it must of been hard to do so.

 

So sorry ((((((Juanita)))))) - it was the same with Norton -- not acro but cancer made his life miserable at the end, and we helped him cross.
Fly Free, ~~~~Chika~~~~!

 

I am so sorry. Chika new unconditional love from you and your DH and takes that love with her. Sending lots of hugs your way.

 

(((Juanita & DH)))

So very sorry. Fly free ((Chika))

I received this in the mail the other day....

Excerpt from,
"I'm Still Here"
Author Unknown

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see, or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.​

 

So sorry for your loss; candle lit for dear Chika.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/mes ... d=13740404

 

I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Chika (((Juanita)))
Fly Free Baby Girl wings_cat

 

Oh Juanita

A post one hopes to never see!!! My heart aches for you. Chika - such a beautiful girl - and YOU - such a loving mom! Oh how I wish i knew words to make this painful time easier. Losing such precious friends leave an awful hole in your heart. I so hope in time that all the happy memories you have of Chika will help you smile again. For now I only have the warmest of thoughts and the biggest of hugs. There are so many of us that share in your loss and your tears.

Sending you all my love
patti and always in my heart - Merlin

 

{{{{{{{{{{EXTREME HUGS, JUANITA}}}}}}}}}}

 

Juanita,
I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet Chika. It's never an easy decision. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.

Fly Free Sweet Chika you were much loved.

 

Juanita,
My jaw just dropped when i read this.....i was just thinking of you and Chika today as i headed to the vet with Rocket....i often wondered how you two were doing...

Know i will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you deal with your loss of Chika....she knew she was loved and in turn she gave you unconditional love....have no regrets in everything you did for her even that last decision....

((((Juanita and DH)))))

lighting a candle for Chika today...



Fly Free Chika wings_cat you have many friends waiting for you to show you the way!

 

<<<Juanita>>>...Boo is laying on my computer, wondering why I'm crying. I'm so sad to see this. It's terrible when any of the babies leave, but the acros always hit me twice as hard. I hope you and DH are taking good care of each other; much peace to Chika.

Heather/Boo

 

From one acromom to another, I am so sorry for your loss. Fly free Chika.

 

Juanita, I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet, beautiful Chika. Although it is the most heart wrenching decision to make, I know Chika thanks you for letting her go and letting her be free from all suffering. My prayers are with you and your DH.

 

((((Juanita))))) I am just so sorry to hear of your loss. You were so lucky to have had each other to love. I know that words cannot express the sadness you feel right now - please know that you are in my thoughts.

 

I'm so sorry...I remember Chika, I think she was dx with acro shortly after my Cecil. I know how hard it is, Cecil used to greet me at the door every day when I came home from work. He was ready for his shot and his food! Chika will always be in your heart and the good memories will always be there.

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: Sandy - Dottie, Jeter & Tilly

 

I'll always remember beautiful Chika.

She is free and happy now, and
you will be with her again, one day.

 

I am so very sorry about Chika. Although you felt pain from losing her ... you let her go to save her from suffering. You have a very kind heart.
I hope you find some comfort from all the warm hugs from your friends here. ♡ We do understand your pain and wish we could soothe things for you.
((((Juanita & DH)))

 

Juanita-

so terribly sorry for your loss of a beautiful girl.

all four of us lighting candles for Chika.

celi, binks, smudge & annie

 

Juanita - I am so sorry to read this. You and Chika were here when Zoe and I first found FDMB and LL, your encouragement, advice and support helped me so much.

Our time with these very special furbabies is never long enough. Fly free sweet Chika........you are loved and will be missed.

 

((((Juanita))))

I am so very sorry for your loss.
Fly Free Beautiful Chica wings_cat

Hugs~
Caryl, Alex and Jackson

 

(((Juanita))) There are no words that will ease the pain in your heart right now. no magic words that make the grief easier to bear. I know that Chika is now pain-free and loving you from the Rainbow Bridge. She will be welcomed by all of our beloved GAs.

Fly free, sweet, dear Chika. You are loved and cherished.

 

(((Juanita)))
You and Chika have always had a special place in my heart...
I'm so very sorry. *Many tears*

 

Peace to your heart; but always allow yourself to miss them. Then it will be always good memories; they take all that love you gave them with them you know.

Thoughts, prayers and protection.

Mike and the Gang (Buddy, April and Easton)

 

I'm so sorry to hear you lost Chika.

Hugs!

 

Dear Juanita and DH,
We are so sorry to hear of Chika's passing. She was a beautiful, brave girl. She will reside in your hearts until you meet again at the magical rainbow bridge. Fly free, sweet Chika.

In deep sympathy,
Ella & Rusty & Stu (GA)

 

(((Juanita and DH))) From one broken heart to another, my deepest condolences. It's been more than four months for us, and I still look for Meowzi at the top of the stairs when I come home.

Fly free, Chika. And send your grieving mommy and daddy a sign that all is well with you.

 

(((((((Juanita and DH)))))))))

Fly free pretty pretty Chika. . . .

 

I am so sorry for your loss... fly free sweet little Chika. wings_cat

 

So sorry for the loss of your sweet Chika. Because of your bravery, her suffering has now ended, and her spirit knows what a loved girl she truly was. My heart goes out to you and your husband.

Fly free, beautiful girl.

 

(( Juanita ))

Oh, Juanita, I'm so sorry to see that Chika has gone ahead. Hugs to you and DH during this difficult time.

 

I am so Deeply sorry for the loss of your darling Chika--Remember the wonderful times she gave you, and know how wonderful she made your life for 14 yrs.

 

I am so very sorry for your loss ((((HUGS))))

Fly Free Chika

 

I am so sorry for your loss of Chika. After taking such good care of her, its especially hard to let go. I hope in time your memories will ease your pain. Sending you peace and comfort.

Fly free, Chika! wings_cat

 

I am so deeply moved by everyone's kind words. The love on this board has never ceased to amaze me. Thank you.

 

We're so very sorry to hear that your beloved Chika crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It sounds like she was quite the wonderful spirit and a fighter. Fly free sweet Chika!