Fight For Life - Rita May

08/09/2022

This morning when I woke up it just felt like a gray day. I was actually surprised when I got up to go to the bathroom and saw sun shine instead of clouds. I felt rested, but lay in bed for about 45 minutes before I finally got up.
Got my walks in and stopped for a fresh salad. I got a call that went to my voicemail. It was our vet clinic telling me Rita May's ashes were in. Well that just started the tearfest.
I went home and picked up the thank you cards I had ready to bring to the clinic. Stopped and picked up some brownies and cookies for the staff.
I feel at peace again now, having this part over with. I plan on setting her ashes at the same place my sister's were scattered at the beach. I will be closing out this page soon. Thank you all so very much for support you sent to Rita May & I. You have no idea I much I felt your love being sent to us. I have no words to truly express what my heart feels for that.

28/08/2022

I haven't gone public with this yet, but will soon. Please allow me to do that and not share this just yet.
Rita May passed away yesterday morning. Once I told her it was okay, she didn't have to fight for life for me. We would be okay, she just stopped eating and drinking. Her irregular breaths turned into gasps for air. She always slept next to me as do her sisters Joon and Holly. The last few nights she slept on the sofa, with Joon and Holly sleeping right next to her. I would wake up during the night to check on her and she would be standing there next to my bed watching me sleep. When we got to the clinic I laid next to her and massaged her as we listened to Angel. Her breathing slowed and became less labored. Her favorite person at the clinic came in the room with her vet and supported both of us while we waited for the vet to administer the drugs.
There was no rainbow bridge she had to cross, in fact I am not one to say those words.
She simply unfolded the wings she kept hidden under her fur. They were huge and etched in gold. With one swoop they took her spirit, her soul and energy from her cancer ridden body. You could feel it. There was a peaceful feeling left behind. A very dear friend said to me don't let the death overshadow all the good memories. I will move forward through this time of grief keeping those memories in the forefront of my mind.
There are just too many to thank for their support, their generosity in donations that allowed her to be with me longer than expected. Because of that there was never a time I had to worry about not having the funds to let her live the last few months to the fullest. We did what brought her joy.
I will be going public in the next day or so. I am taking a leave of absence from both of my jobs for a little while. But just as I would tell her when we started out on searches by saying "okay Rita May get to work, show me where is the kitty." I hear her tell me "okay momma go help this family find their pet! "
For now am only sharing this with a small group of people. Please respect my wishes and let me share when I am ready. Thank you so much for the support you gave me. Of course I expect the grief to come in waves, without notice. But knowing she is pain free and her fight has ended will give me comfort more than sadness.
https://youtu.be/1SiylvmFI_8

Spend all your time waiting for that second chance For the break that will make it okThere's always some reason to feel not good enough And it's hard at the ...

25/08/2022

Rita May has had a hard few days. Last night I laid on the floor and gave her a long massage. She kept sinking as she was getting more relaxed until she was completely laying on the floor, with her breathing not sounding labored. I told her that it was okay, if she was ready I would be too. She didn't have to stay because of me. We both will be okay.
She is scheduled for her monthly Laser Treatment tomorrow. I will be discussing with her vet possible options moving forward. Ultimately it will be RIta's choice, I will listen to her.
Having said that, I have seen other dogs turn around when thought to be "ready". I am so hoping this is the same for her. Please send us thoughts of support. That I will be wise and be able to hear what she wants me to do without guilt.

22/08/2022

I woke up this morning and reached down to pet Rita
She wasn't there. I jumped out of bed and looked around and no one was sleeping where they usually do. I went out to the front room Rita was snoring on the sofa. Joon was on the cot next to the sofa and Holly on her cardboard scratch pad near the cot. So either I was snoring too loud or they just wanted to be together. We have a vet appt on Friday afternoon for laser therapy and evaluation Rita ate almost a whole sandwich size baggie of Chicken jerky. Only hand fed, nothing from her bowl.

22/08/2022

Well Rita May surprised me today. She wasn't interested in bowl food at all this morning. But I had some chicken I was dehydrating for jerky and she ate some. The jerky still had a few hours to go but when it got done this afternoon, she followed me in the kitchen. Stood there as I pulled out a pretty full tray. I just gave her piece after piece. She finished off the whole tray! She also got a small packet of different wet food as a snack. Didn't finish off the whole container but managed about 1/2. I am very pleased with that.

20/08/2022

Ten bites is better than none. No gagging or coughing this am either. Hope you all have a good day too. Thanks for your love & support.

18/08/2022

From our memories
Toby and Rita May were the best of friends. It took a long while and a new feline addition to our family for her to be happy again

14/08/2022

From our memories. One of first hikes.

13/08/2022

These last few days have been difficult. She has not been willing to eat much these last 24 hours. She has still been accepting treats from my hand. The gagging has lessen, but her breaths are wheezing and she is lethargic. I hope this is going to be another valley. But getting more concerned about her. She is still wagging her tail and her eyes are a bit brighter today. Thanks for your continued support, thoughts and prayers.

12/08/2022

She has been doing a lot of sitting in the sun these last few days. I am so glad she is comfortable there. Hasn't been eating much but tonight ate 1 1/2 of baked chicken breasts.

09/08/2022

I woke up and Joon let me. know she needed outside. So I let her out and then went back to my room to help Rita. She started gagging and coughing but slowly got up and shuffled to the door. I let her outside. Moved to the window and then see her literally run ...yes run onto the wooded area. Had to have been a critter. Joon looked at me and I looked at her like did you see her run ? Then I couldn't see Rita. Scared she collapsed I went into the wooded area and told Joon go get Rita. Joon went back to the woods..but no Rita. So was going to get my shoes and robe. I went on the deck and here comes the girl shuffling back towards me. Wagging her tail no gag and no cough. I hope it is a start to a good day for us.

09/08/2022

Yesterday I woke up before my alarm and decided to do a massive meat cook. I don't like the smell of meat cooking, so had the microwave, stove top and oven all going at once. The result was a package of bacon, hot dogs, steak, chicken breasts, ground turkey. All so that when Rita turns down one, I can try another. It was good to have the rest of the day to air the house out too.

06/08/2022

Good news; Rita has been eating really well since getting on the appetite stimulators regularly. Not so good news; she has been coughing, gagging and just not motivated to do much. My great nephew Trystan volunteered to help give her an oatmeal bath to try reduce the itching and hair loss. We went to Wash the Dog in Puyallup. We were both lathering her up and rinsed her and then the groomer came up to us and started petting on her and said I think there's a little shampoo under her belly so we rinsed her again. Then the groomer just kind of took over . She was so tender and kind. Talked softly to her brought Rita over to the dryer, had a nice towel set out for her to sit and then started drying Rita off and combing her. I literally had tears in my eyes but felt I needed not to show too much emotion with Trystan there. I handed the groomer a well-deserved tip. Here's some pictures of Rita May's Spa day. Thank you for sending the positive thoughts our way. Can't tell you how much I appreciate that

01/08/2022

Rita May would have adopted a house full of cats and kittens. She loves them. Here she is meeting a baby kitten. That's why she loved her job so much. https://www.facebook.com/gabie.beltz/videos/10204946562247397/

26/07/2022

Kibble and sausages my dear?
Her: No
Kibble and bacon my love?
Her: No,
No Kibble, wet cat food and biscuit treats Rita May?
Her: Treats only...remove the rest.
Kibble and canned chicken?
Her: chicken only....remove the rest!
Momma's dehydrated chicken jerky?
Her: Okay now you are getting it!
Try this canned chicken & rice I got from the buy nothing group today and freshly baked chicken breast babe.
Her: Oh hell ya! there will be no need to wash my dish tonight.
And it was true, her bowl was licked clean~

Good girl Rita May....Good girl.

I think we are doing okay now managing the medication, I hope so she had a rough couple of days with the coughing, breathing, pacing & panting. Her eyes are brighter, hopefully eating will help her gain strength.

22/07/2022

Doubling up on meds yesterday seem to have worked. Good girl my love.

22/07/2022

We've had a rough couple of days. Her cough has returned, wheezing and irregular breaths have returned. Her appetite has decreased again even with the stimulating medication.
She is selecting only chicken, no kibble, no wet food, or peanut butter. So chicken and chicken treats only are given. Today I doubled her pain and allergy medication. She was scratching so much there is more hair loss and she seemed so uncomfortable even with the no itch spray. I plan on an oatmeal bath for her to see if we can't make it more comfortable for her. I got home yesterday after a short errand to find she had tried to get herself on the sofa and slipped. She could not get traction on the floor to steady herself, although extra rugs have been laid down, it was a small area next to the dog cot.
I had put the dog cot flush to the sofa so she could step on that and make it to the sofa easier. I think she thought she could bypass that cot and tried to make it up all the way from the floor.
I will be being getting one or two more indoor security cameras so I am able to monitor every room during my time away.
We have walked this path before and I am hoping we will be trekking up the to the mountain peak from this valley.
My niece Tia came over and we boxed all of Rita's costumes up. I really feel it was needed now and glad Tia was willing to help with that. There is so many of her customs, hats, wigs and head pieces/hats. I asked Tia to keep these for two months after Rita passes so I can decide what to do with them. I know my great nieces will want some, but I would also like to donate or even keep some for other pet photography projects. Then I went to her collar and harness. Joon can't wear regular collars, she has to have a no slip martingale and has even managed to back out of one of them before!
I had about 20 collars (seriously) and about 10 harness for her, but those can be used by strays I help. So just am putting them into storage here. It was good to get all of that accomplished today. Thank you again and still for your support and love. Every day, every hour with her is a gift. This picture came up as a memory, I still remember breaking them apart!!

18/07/2022

I have been chowing down on my food for 3 days now! Breakfast dish cleaned, all the treats eaten, not one kibble left after dinner tonight. I even got some chicken jerky as a good girl treat! Thanks for thinking about me & supporting my momma.

17/07/2022

Trystan sat at the table to eat. Choose to sit near Ritas kennel. I brought her kibble, soft food and crushed chicken flavored treats. I got her in kennel and she just looked at it. Trystan started eating and encouraging her to do the same. I heard crunching of Kibble. When Trystan was finished, went to let her out of her kennel and her bowl was empty!! I grabbed the chicken jerky I made and she chowed down that. Goooooood girl Rita May. Trystan we love you and your tender heart to the moon and beyond.

16/07/2022

Woke up around 2:30 am and Rita was not in my room. She was in a deep sleep on her bed in the living room. I didn't wake her. I just went to let her and Joon outside. Rita was not in her bed. I figured she had come into my room while I was sleeping. so after Joon came in returned to check the other side of my bed. Passing by the guest room where Trystan was sleeping I saw the door was open just far enough. Popped my head in a sure enough she had chosen to sleep by him. I am not sure she has ever done that before. But glad she did. He loves her so much. I know the friendship they share is mutual.

16/07/2022

Makes my heart full. Trystan is staying over (my great nephew). Rita was so happy to see him, she went to the toy bin, picked up a toy and brought it to him whining happily and wagging her tail. She hasn't done that in weeks.
She has not been eating so hopefully he can convince her to do that. I have been adding the appetite stimulator to her food, but if she's not eating it doesn't work. uffda

13/07/2022

Had a very concerning night last night. Rita has started eating. I made her chicken livers. I warm them up just a bit before adding to the kibble. She has been eating more, not as much as she did but still I don't care if she picks just the livers for now. Last night she at a full bowl. Within an hour or two she started pacing. She would go to a wall and stand in front facing it. At one point put her head under the drapes almost to hid. My first thought was bloat. I tried my best to determine if she had that or just was in pain. I decided to give her additional pain medication and monitor her. Medication took only 20 mins to take effect. She settled down and fell asleep. I checked her frequently during the night, slept in my cloths in case we needed to go to Sumner emergency. Although I didn't sleep, she did. This morning woke up.and wagged her tail, went out for potty then went directly to her kennel where fresh food was waiting. Never thought the sound of kibble crunch would make me this happy

11/07/2022

The vet told me to add a generic allergy pill to Rita's medicine cocktail. It has helped manage the itching, so glad about that~ She took steak and kibble for a few days. But then stopped. I made her and Joon up a batch of chicken livers, She seems to be liking that now. I have gotten braver on her medication administration. I used to feel so guilty about forcing that on her. But now I realize it is because I do that she feels good & we manage her pain so she doesn't suffer. It is less than 30 seconds to sq**rt that into her mouth. I am not sure if it is just being an empath or because of our bond that I can actually feel how much she hates the taste and hates seeing that syringe. She has been outside in the sun shine these last few days and seems to enjoy that. :)

09/07/2022

Kibble and wet food declined. Kibble and cat food declined. Chicken jerky? Accepted then dropped... Kibble and freshly made steak...ACCEPTED and bowl left completely empty. We will both sleep better now. Good girl my love.

08/07/2022

We had a vet visit today. Changed her Otc allergy med, back on antibiotics. Gonna try a new method of medications admin.... I stopped by McDonald's and got her a plain cheese burger. I realized she hasn't ever had one before. She liked the meat but like me did'nt want the bun or fries....oh Joon look what momma got for you.... Any way got a Viking looking warrior toy reminding me to be strong and fight for her life. Thanks for your ongoing love and support these bad spells seem to last for ever but seeing her good days - which still out number her bad days is so joyful

04/07/2022

We are going through a valley these past couple of days. Wheezy breathing, coughing and gagging. She did not finish her breakfast this morning, but is eating strips of baked chicken from me through out the day. She is scratching herself so much even with the anti itching meds. I have added Benadryl to her medication "cocktail". Not only to help with the itching but to help calm her during the booms today. When sleeping her breaths are more normal, but waking up and moving starts the coughing, gagging episodes. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. Her next vet appt is on the 7th.

02/07/2022

I wish she could still do this.. She will again. Just not in her earth body....https://www.facebook.com/gabie.beltz/videos/1805900350885/

02/07/2022

My appreciation to the Hager's for allowing us to give out lost pet prevention information and a donation jar to help raise money for Rita's care at their event this weekend. https://www.facebook.com/KindredAnimalConnections/

Animal Communication and Crystals to assist both human and pet in any situation they may find themse

28/06/2022

We have had a rough couple of days. Rita has been fighting me on her medication admin. It feels so awful approaching her and she puts her head down and tries to stay away. I've had to corner her and force her to take her meds. I keep hoping she will get used to this, but so far she hasn't. Almost finished with her antibiotics tho and the organic anti- itch spray is really helping. Thankful as her pretitzon / cortisone meds don't seem to be. We have a vet appt on 7-2 for laser therapy and will discuss this with her. Here is a pic that came up on my memories of the lovely Rita on a search. Thank you again for your support.

26/06/2022

I have had the honor of doing end of life pet photography for families giving palliative care to their loved pets. I am touched when I hear that they cherish the photos and it brings them sweet memories. So it was important to me to be sure this happened with Rita and I. I am very thankful to Daphne and her husband who offered this photo session for us. They made us both feel so comfortable. I truly will cherish these for all my years to come~