Kayla
What is amazing is, Kayla, 16 years 8 months (100 dog years) still had cognitive abilities. To back track, in 2007, we took her to Dr. Villalobos because of periodic vomiting. Also, I thought she was showing signs of confusion: standing at the wrong door to go out or facing a spot and not moving. Today, none of these things, Dr. V. did a MRI, to rule out a brain tumor and put her on Anipryl, Hepato Support and NutriGest.

For the last years, we have taken her to Dr. Rachel Jones and Dr. V. for any concerns. She has allergies so Claritin helps, Ear infections has caused her to loose her hearing but other senses have compensated. She has also been on a grain free diet. Pumpkin was her source of fiber.
As she has aged arthritis has become her buddy (Metacam and Gabapentin helped). We usually walked her 5 days a week.

The man of the house retired in June, 2010. She made him her pack, following him all daylong wherever he went; up the stairs and standing at the gate whenever he was gone. The secret, he gave her treats when he came home. She did not retire; her internal clock remained the same. mornings, up at 5:30 am, 2:00pm food with meds. and 9:00pm snack and meds. She would let us know what time it was.

She regularly patrolled the yard. She sensed changes and would bark. She was very sweet, and did not have a mean bone in her. She was attacked twice by other dogs on our walks but never changed towards people. She was always friendly and wanting to say hello.

In April, 2011, things started to change. Her right leg became weaker .We had to stop walking depending on her fatigue level. We would take her out, she would turn around when she knew her limit. It started to become 1/2 a block, then less and less. She had trouble with the stairs and mostly hopped up them, sometimes she needed help. What was amazing was her determination to her determent. In May, both legs started to weaken, her back began to sag. She started to roam alot, sitting to eat and urinate.

I could see in her eyes that something was amiss. There was no sparkle. It was hard for her to get comfortable on the bed, constantly moving about, and changing positions. She did not like to be left alone. She remained loyal and still barked to communicate but she was agitated.

It was time to give her peace and dignity because of a developing infection which was getting worse. We no longer have children at home, so we became dependent on her companionship like she did for us. We adapted to her, changing our lives to keep her comfortable. She was on 16 medicines per day but this was never a problem. It is sad that the body doesn't always cooperate.

Each dog is very special. Kayla was our third but there will never be another Kayla. Her sweetness, her loyalty, her diginity, and never ending love can never be replaced. A dog, she may of been, but family member, she was.

Our special thanks to Dr. Alice Villalobos, Careen Schuller, Ronnie and staff for always giving her outstanding Pawspice care. Her quality of life was really good, and she was given dignity through out her life (Oct 21, 1994 - May 31, 2011).
Thank you,
Norman and Karen Call
P.S. Kayla thanks you too!!!

Alf
Seven and a half years ago a new friend came into my life, Alf. He brought more joy and laughter to me then I could even have imagined. When I decided to move from Israel to the United States, Alf and Dusty were the only two things I needed to feel at home.

A year ago, Alf was diagnosed with Lymphoma and I thought that my world was destroyed. My best friend, who I needed every day, was being robbed from me in cruel way, but we were not going to give up without a fight first.

We visited several clinics before finding you all. None gave us the comfort and care that we were able to find with you. None kept me as involved with his treatments. I felt that here, people really cared about Alf. The way the crew here operates is really unique.

When the time came for me to say good-bye to my friend, the decision was made easier by knowing that you had done everything you could to help him. Saying goodbye is never easy, but knowing you would be there to offer a kind word made the process as comfortable as possible for us. You allowed Alf to have a dignified and peaceful ending to his much too short life. For this, I truly thank you and will never forget you.

Shalom, Ron Hoffman (and Dusty)

Barney
You've treated me like I was a member of your own family. I could not have asked for anything better. You have a special place in my heart and I'll remember you forever.

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Barney

Bonkers
...From the time he was 2 months old until his passing, Bonkers gave us all immense joy. His playful and happy attitude was always a part of him, even when he was under going treatment. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to you for your compassion while caring for him. You are a wonderful, genuine person who always made us feel secure and confident...

Love,

Brett Schoenhals, Javier Delgado, Cynthia Schoenhals

Buddy
I think I knew from the beginning that Buddy didn't have that much time, but in all honesty I didn't think we'd be going on two months based on what his Vet originally said. The biggest difference... has been the compassion. Other Vets I've spoken to were much more clinical and matter of fact without addressing the pain felt when a loved pet, a member of a family for many of us, is dying. I never thought I'd be going the route I've gone with Buddy... but there's just something about looking at that little guy and all of the joy he's brought, and thinking if there's a little hope for a little more good time, then he deserves it and the extra time spent together is worth it. Definitely human feelings and projections, yes? So far I think it has been worth it...and I guess Buddy & I & my husband know it's not for that much longer, so we're okay with it.

There are so many good things to say about Pawspice - here are a few of my thoughts:
- It's giving us a great and long good-bye.
-We've had quality time we didn't think we had.
-Pawspice helps extend the quality of many great lives.
-I wasn't looking for a miracle, just a compassionate place to keep Buddy happy for as long as he wanted to be around.

... He was truly an amazing dog, enduring two months of an illness with hardly a complaint or interruption in his daily game of fetch, jumping into the car to go bye-bye or his sacred pastime of eating. He went to sleep quite peacefully in his favorite spot by the backyard, after one final indulgence of Haagen Daz's Vanilla Swiss Almond.... He gave us a long good-bye and will be missed. He was definitely a lucky dog, but not as lucky as we were for the sheer joy that had been brought into our lives these last 10 years by a little guy appropriately named, Buddy Love.