Ty's Story

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-07-2004, 01:50 PM

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure whats made me decide to post my handsome man's story, maybe the sadness of it all and a way of trying to put things in perspective or maybe just a way of letting others know that sometimes what you least expect can happen. At any rate, this is Ty's story, although a bit long maybe it can serve as an early warning for someone else and a dog can be helped before its too late.

Ch. Ti-Son's Crimson Tide is his name, known to us as Ty, a beautiful boy, the son of our foundation and one of the most loving dogs I've ever know. His life started terribly, born the runt of a large litter of 8 this tiny bulldog weighed less than 6 ounces at birth, he refused to suckle and was pushed out by his littermates from the very beginning. Although we knew it would be difficult we were determined to not let this little boy go without a fight and fight we did, with tube feedings every two hours, an incubator where we would check his temperature every hour and flip him like a little egg to keep him warm.

This puppy, although very small indeed had the fight of many and refused to give up. After three weeks of round the clock care, losing him twice and having to literally bring him back from rainbow bridge he began to flourish. It took 4 months for Ty to catch up to his littermates but catch up and surpass he did, our little peanut began to mature into a beautiful boy! At 6 months of age Ty was entered in his first show where he not only took the points but went on to take Best Puppy at a very large all-breed show. He was on his way and just as any parent would be, we were proud of our boy and his accomplishment.

Ty finished easily at 13 months of age and went on to become one to be reckoned with at many a specialty show. His career was soaring towards the stars, we began getting tons of requests for stud service but wanted to wait, wanted to reach that final goal we had set for Ty.....the Best In Specialty Show title.

Approx. one month before being entered in what we had hope would be his winning specialty show Ty stopped eating. We assumed it was some sort of bug plus with a new grandbaby in the house we felt he may be reacting poorly to the new baby as well but being a bulldog and not eating meant this was serious business and we took him directly to the vet. Our vet thought the same, that he may have a bit of a bug and that with the newest member of the household getting tons of attention that Ty might feel left out and depressed.

We took Ty home that day with a better feeling about his not eating, a plan to really play it up with him so he knew he was still our special handsome boy and a b-12 shot to stimulate his appetite just for good measure. Within the next three days Ty went from 58.9 pounds to 52.4 pounds and still refused to eat....even when we coaxed, sweet talked and tried feeding him by hand. We went back to the vet explaining that we knew this amount of a weight drop was serious and wanted a complete workup done. Our vet agreed, blood was drawn, Xrays done and a urine sample taken.

The next day the vet called first thing in the morning and told us he had bad news, that Ty needed to be hospitalized right away and how soon could we bring him in. We rushed over to the vets and it was then that we learned that Ty was in almost complete renal failure, his levels were so far up that our vet was surprised his kidneys hadn't just quit. We spent the next agonizing four days at Ty's side while they ran major amounts of fluids through him trying to flush his system and praying that this was just some really bad virus but all would be better soon.

To make this long story shorter, our prayers weren't answered, it wasn't something that could be fixed or over time would mend itself. Ty was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure and has approx. 20% use of his kidneys, the exact cause is not known however specialists believe it was not genetic but may have in fact been caused by a severe infection that he showed no signs of beforehand. Our beautiful boy is terminally ill and no matter what happens, how its treated or how much we want this to get better we know that eventually he'll be leaving us.

Ty still has quality of life, he's still very much the little comedian, Mr. Wiggles and in love with life but the down side is 12+ medications a day and him having to sit for 500ml of subQ fluids a day in order to keep his toxin levels flushed out enough to go on. Eventually no amount of fluids or drugs will be able to keep things at bay and we'll have to say our final goodbyes to our little peanut. What a ride its been and how much fuller our lives are for knowing him.

I tell you all this not to try and get your sympathy but simply because it helps me to talk about it as well as it being my hope that maybe, just maybe someone who reads this might remember some of Ty's early symptoms if god forbid they ever see them in their own dog and might be able to save their dog by being diagnosed early enough to make a difference.

Ch. Ti-Son's Crimson Tide ~ diagnosed 06-23-04

Lil'Paws · 11-07-2004, 02:26 PM

A very touching story Sonja. Thanks for sharing. Ty is a

.
You're very luck to have one another.

Pugdawg1 · 11-07-2004, 03:23 PM

Thank you for sharing Ty's story. He's lucky he has you.

FurryAngel33 · 11-07-2004, 03:53 PM

Very Touching thanks for sharing!

***Carrie*** · 11-07-2004, 05:13 PM

I'm glad you told your story. It definitely does help to express your feelings and I am so sorry you're going through this sad time. Your little guy had a rough start and oh my goodness, what a lucky little fella to have you for his Mom.

I can totally relate to what you're facing, as my Bonnie is in liver failure. It won't be long that I have her in my life either. But she is 13. I guess I get kind of greedy sometimes expecting her to live forever.

We'll be here for eachother when the time comes that we need to kiss our babies goodbye.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-07-2004, 07:03 PM

Thanks

Carrie I'm so very sorry to hear about Bonnie but glad she has you by her side.....give her extra hugs from me.

***Carrie*** · 11-07-2004, 07:31 PM

Thank you. That means a lot.

IceyBlueSibes · 11-07-2004, 08:15 PM

Such a touching story... thank you for sharing. I know it's hard living with a family member you love, whether it be two legged or four legged, and knowing that they may end up going any day.

I wish you the best, and hope you will have as much time with Ty as long as he is not in pain... you'll be in my thoughts, and we are all here for you when that time comes....

Giny · 11-07-2004, 09:28 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about Ty, Sonja.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-08-2004, 03:31 AM

Thank you Icey & Giny. Nice to see you again Giny

Rip's Girl · 11-08-2004, 11:56 PM

Thanks for sharing his story. I'm so sorry that he is having to go through this, but he is very lucky to have you by his side.

Coldnose · 11-09-2004, 07:55 AM

Glad to hear Ty is still with you guys. I was wondering how he was doing, since I hadn't heard anything more about him.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-09-2004, 08:47 PM

Thank you Cold & Rips. Good to see you again Cold

Coldnose · 11-09-2004, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crossfire Bulldogs

Thank you Cold & Rips. Good to see you again Cold

You've been replying to my posts for awhile now, and you're JUST now realizing who it is?

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-09-2004, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldnose

You've been replying to my posts for awhile now, and you're JUST now realizing who it is?

lol sorry, I've been working sooo many long hours lately that by the time I get the chance to get online I'm about brain dead.

It wasn't till I looked at your name again and then saw Fiona that the lil' light bulb went on. I need sleep lol

11-07-2004, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	Ty's Story To be honest, I'm not exactly sure whats made me decide to post my handsome man's story, maybe the sadness of it all and a way of trying to put things in perspective or maybe just a way of letting others know that sometimes what you least expect can happen. At any rate, this is Ty's story, although a bit long maybe it can serve as an early warning for someone else and a dog can be helped before its too late. Ch. Ti-Son's Crimson Tide is his name, known to us as Ty, a beautiful boy, the son of our foundation and one of the most loving dogs I've ever know. His life started terribly, born the runt of a large litter of 8 this tiny bulldog weighed less than 6 ounces at birth, he refused to suckle and was pushed out by his littermates from the very beginning. Although we knew it would be difficult we were determined to not let this little boy go without a fight and fight we did, with tube feedings every two hours, an incubator where we would check his temperature every hour and flip him like a little egg to keep him warm. This puppy, although very small indeed had the fight of many and refused to give up. After three weeks of round the clock care, losing him twice and having to literally bring him back from rainbow bridge he began to flourish. It took 4 months for Ty to catch up to his littermates but catch up and surpass he did, our little peanut began to mature into a beautiful boy! At 6 months of age Ty was entered in his first show where he not only took the points but went on to take Best Puppy at a very large all-breed show. He was on his way and just as any parent would be, we were proud of our boy and his accomplishment. Ty finished easily at 13 months of age and went on to become one to be reckoned with at many a specialty show. His career was soaring towards the stars, we began getting tons of requests for stud service but wanted to wait, wanted to reach that final goal we had set for Ty.....the Best In Specialty Show title. Approx. one month before being entered in what we had hope would be his winning specialty show Ty stopped eating. We assumed it was some sort of bug plus with a new grandbaby in the house we felt he may be reacting poorly to the new baby as well but being a bulldog and not eating meant this was serious business and we took him directly to the vet. Our vet thought the same, that he may have a bit of a bug and that with the newest member of the household getting tons of attention that Ty might feel left out and depressed. We took Ty home that day with a better feeling about his not eating, a plan to really play it up with him so he knew he was still our special handsome boy and a b-12 shot to stimulate his appetite just for good measure. Within the next three days Ty went from 58.9 pounds to 52.4 pounds and still refused to eat....even when we coaxed, sweet talked and tried feeding him by hand. We went back to the vet explaining that we knew this amount of a weight drop was serious and wanted a complete workup done. Our vet agreed, blood was drawn, Xrays done and a urine sample taken. The next day the vet called first thing in the morning and told us he had bad news, that Ty needed to be hospitalized right away and how soon could we bring him in. We rushed over to the vets and it was then that we learned that Ty was in almost complete renal failure, his levels were so far up that our vet was surprised his kidneys hadn't just quit. We spent the next agonizing four days at Ty's side while they ran major amounts of fluids through him trying to flush his system and praying that this was just some really bad virus but all would be better soon. To make this long story shorter, our prayers weren't answered, it wasn't something that could be fixed or over time would mend itself. Ty was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure and has approx. 20% use of his kidneys, the exact cause is not known however specialists believe it was not genetic but may have in fact been caused by a severe infection that he showed no signs of beforehand. Our beautiful boy is terminally ill and no matter what happens, how its treated or how much we want this to get better we know that eventually he'll be leaving us. Ty still has quality of life, he's still very much the little comedian, Mr. Wiggles and in love with life but the down side is 12+ medications a day and him having to sit for 500ml of subQ fluids a day in order to keep his toxin levels flushed out enough to go on. Eventually no amount of fluids or drugs will be able to keep things at bay and we'll have to say our final goodbyes to our little peanut. What a ride its been and how much fuller our lives are for knowing him. I tell you all this not to try and get your sympathy but simply because it helps me to talk about it as well as it being my hope that maybe, just maybe someone who reads this might remember some of Ty's early symptoms if god forbid they ever see them in their own dog and might be able to save their dog by being diagnosed early enough to make a difference. Ch. Ti-Son's Crimson Tide ~ diagnosed 06-23-04
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-07-2004, 02:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lil'Paws ~w/Dachshund~ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ~Western~NC~ Posts: 1,662 Rep Power: 118	A very touching story Sonja. Thanks for sharing. Ty is a . You're very luck to have one another.
	__________________ ~ Dachshund means Love ~

11-07-2004, 03:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 136	Thank you for sharing Ty's story. He's lucky he has you.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

11-07-2004, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
FurryAngel33 :] Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,279 Rep Power: 103	Very Touching thanks for sharing!
	__________________ aww look at that face!

11-07-2004, 07:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	Thanks Carrie I'm so very sorry to hear about Bonnie but glad she has you by her side.....give her extra hugs from me.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-07-2004, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,436 Rep Power: 287	I'm glad you told your story. It definitely does help to express your feelings and I am so sorry you're going through this sad time. Your little guy had a rough start and oh my goodness, what a lucky little fella to have you for his Mom. I can totally relate to what you're facing, as my Bonnie is in liver failure. It won't be long that I have her in my life either. But she is 13. I guess I get kind of greedy sometimes expecting her to live forever. We'll be here for eachother when the time comes that we need to kiss our babies goodbye.

11-07-2004, 07:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,436 Rep Power: 287	Thank you. That means a lot.

11-07-2004, 08:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,757 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 273	Such a touching story... thank you for sharing. I know it's hard living with a family member you love, whether it be two legged or four legged, and knowing that they may end up going any day. I wish you the best, and hope you will have as much time with Ty as long as he is not in pain... you'll be in my thoughts, and we are all here for you when that time comes....
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

11-07-2004, 09:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Giny poodlez Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,010 Rep Power: 108	I'm so sorry to hear about Ty, Sonja.

11-08-2004, 03:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	Thank you Icey & Giny. Nice to see you again Giny
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-08-2004, 11:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
Rip's Girl Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,580 Rep Power: 142	Thanks for sharing his story. I'm so sorry that he is having to go through this, but he is very lucky to have you by his side.
	__________________

11-09-2004, 07:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
Coldnose Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO USA Posts: 284 Rep Power: 82	Glad to hear Ty is still with you guys. I was wondering how he was doing, since I hadn't heard anything more about him.
	__________________ "You might be a redneck if the dog passes gas and you claim it!" -Jeff Foxworthy

11-09-2004, 08:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	Thank you Cold & Rips. Good to see you again Cold
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

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