Good-bye my friend

Chiricacuah Cochise Mangos Colorados

January 1, 1999 March 30 2007

Friday morning a large peice of my heart died. My friend died. Cochise was more than just a dog, more than just a member of the family. For several years he'd been my life line. I suffer from a seizure disroder and Cochise worked as my alert dog. Somehow he knew when I was going to have trouble.If I were seated he'd climb in my lap to comfort me before the seizure hit, then he'd remain until it had passed. If I were standing he'd jump up on me and try to get me to pay attention and go sit down. As usual he'd stay until it passed.

When we were shopping, if I had an attack he'd remain across my legs, refusing to let anyone touch me anywhere but my feet. Guarding me until it was done. my last seizure was almost four years ago. Since then we've hung up the harness and spent time just hanging out together here at home. When we got Cochise it was because he was the cutest little furball we'd ever seen. I'd had him home about a week when he got all freaked out and climbed up on top of me, all anxious and excited, I didnt know what the problem was. He put his little paws on my shoulder and pressed his cold nose against my neck. I had my first seizure shortly after.

How had he known? We never figured it out. But he did, thats what mattered. Its funny I bought him for my DH and he ended up being my constant companion.

It breaks my heart and rips me up inside even more because he didnt have to die. He was poisoned. There are three possibly scenerios and until the autopsy has been completed we only have these guesses. 1) Menufoods killed him with imported crap 2) a neighbor killed him with pesticide used for spring lawn care (accidentally) 3) he was intentionally poisoned. none of these choices offer any comfort and each one make me so damn angry I could scream.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use extra caution when feeding your furbaby. If possible make your own food because the list is growing every single day of food that isn't safe. I hope none of you have to suffer this pain.

If you are doing your lawn care please remember that dogs and sometimes cats, eat grass for upset tummy and any pesticide you use could be potentially lethal. When working on your vehicle remember that antifreeze smells and tastes sweet to furbabies but can kill them in no time. The death from any of the above poison isn't pretty or painless. The kidneys shut down, they become weak and after several hours of agony they are gone. Even if you dont have a pet, please be careful!

I feel as if I'd lost a child and thats something I don't know I'll ever completely recover from.

Donica