Sunday 12 December 2010

Pema has passed

Pema is dead.  Tick.  Treated fortnightly. Hair clipped. Vet didn't think it was a tick, admitted he didn't do a thorough search and gave her a shot because she'd had cruciate ligament surgery (a year ago) and sent us back to the house we had rented for our holiday. Vet had 5 dogs in for ticks at the time and seemed to ignore the fact that Pema has been working cattle in a paddock for 6 months even though she'd had knee surgery.

Bad tick season because of wet and vegetation.  Next day she could not walk at all.  Back to vet where nurse found tick in 5 minutes in feathers on a front leg.  Pema crashed about 15 hours into treatment.  Can't recommend South Grafton vet.  Pema was sent on her way in a beautiful wild river in full flood.

I sit and watch you from my window,
Giving yourself away,
You've been working hard all day

I see the ground catch at your feet,
I see the sweet signs of defeat,
Like you're beaten but you feel no pain

And then you turn to me instinctively,
Checking if you're alone,
Like a reflex from my guilty mind

I fall away into the background,
Like a shadow on the wall,
To leave you with your peace of mind

I watch from my window up high,
All alone in this room,
So many people go the same way,
I think it's time that I changed my view

I got nothing got left to lose,
 
Well you're the part of my memories
That I never wanna live without

24 comments:

Unknown said...

pema was a lovely girl, she will be missed.

jag - border collie rescue

Mandy said...

Pema...how a lovely dog.
I miss the days in Hunter Valley with her.

Anonymous said...

I'm very sorry for you loss. I nearly lost Hamish a year ago from ticks.. I treat him fortnightly and keep him clipped short, but what can you do really, other then to constantly check them. and maintain full daily checks. I'm sorry you have to go through this pain..Love and sympathy.

Anonymous said...

We r very sorry for your loss, I can't imagine what you be going thru, we send our love and support xox Bonnie & Beau

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll be thinking of you and sending hugs with open arms

Anonymous said...

So very sorry to hear about Pema. Sending hugs from me and licks from Pele your way.

Anonymous said...

My thoughts go out to you, what a terrible experience, i never new ticks were that bad, as we have never had one on any of our dogs down here.

Please know that Pema's death has made me more aware about ticks, and her death will hopefully save someone elses dog in future, by reading this.

I am so sorry for you,,,

Anonymous said...

i'm so sorry to hear about Pema.
J & M

Anonymous said...

OMG, has your girl died of a tick? We are so sorry for you if that is the case. That's so terrible...huge hugs from us as you try to cope with the sudden and unexpected loss....xxxx

Anonymous said...

Oh that's so awful how incredibly sad, you must be devastated,I would be.

She looks absolutely gorgeous in her photo I look at it often.

No excuse for vets not to pick up these things wheen they know there are ticks in the area,Make sure you don't go back.I've had some not too good things happen with vets too, I know they can't be perfect but we've been let down a few times.

If you could ever bring yourself to get another B.C I got one from a rescue place and am so glad I did.He is my 6th BC and I love him as much as all the others I've had.

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry to hear abut Pema, Eedra. Nothing can really ease the loss, but I hope it helps that you know someone cares. Jendi and Jangles send their love too. Hopefully that vet will be more vigilant in future.

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry!! What a tragedy! I know she meant the world to you! They leave a massive gaping hole in your life when they leave. I know that she was more than your dog, she was your friend, support, inspiration and constant companion. I'm sorry that I can't do more than offer you my deepest sympathy and support. My thoughts are with you hon! Lara

Anonymous said...

Oh Eedra, I'm so very sorry that Pema had to leave in such a dreadful manner. What a wonderful Lady she was. I can only think that perhaps her story will save another and that "Vet" should be struck off.

I had to let my darling Fudge go last year due to a brain tumour. I know how hard this must be for you.

What a fitting send off you gave her, such magic her last ride on a raging river. Just divine.

Thinking of you,
Sue, Bob, Nougat & Humphrey xxxx

Anonymous said...

Eedra Im so sorry to hear this terrible news, Chester, Ebony and I have wonderful memories of you, Pema and the Barking Mad team here in Sydney and at Riverwood Downs.
Pema is in no pain now and is with you every day. We will be thinking of you Eedra. Love Kate xoxo

Anonymous said...

And then you turn to me instinctively,
Checking if you're alone,
Like a reflex from my guilty mind

yes,
she will turn to you
her best friend
still
for some time to come...
and you will feel her
because she loved you
and love is magic

I have faith in you, the kind and good and strong person that you are.

Life goes on and so should you.

I like how she was sent on her way down a roaring flood...
raging life cradling silent death.K.C.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. I cried when I read the story. My Roxie was put down at 15 after seeing me through 3 major operations, by which time she was hard of hearing, sight fading, could not even bark, so it was time for her to go. I hated to do it.

My cat Jackie was also 15 but would have gone on longer, except for cancer, so she too was euthanized – I couldn’t see her in pain or radio therapy which was the only option..

Their ashes are in boxes on a shelf near my back door, I haven't had the heart to scatter them in the garden. It would feel like throwing them away.
Penny

Anonymous said...

My goodness....through my tears I'm reliving our experience 4 years ago when we too lost our Kirra in similiar circumstances.

Anonymous said...

My goodness....through my tears I'm reliving our experience 4 years ago when we too lost our Kirra in similiar circumstances.

Anonymous said...

I feel so sad for you & also cried as I read your poem that so aptly expressed your love for Pema & the memories of the time you had together. I still miss my beloved BC Oscar who died 18 months ago at 14, but the memories are so sweet.

Anonymous said...

I hope you are with friends in this time of such tragedy and sorrow. May you find the strength to pull through. It is difficult to fathom how a vet could be so careless in the context of a tick season that saw other vets issue a warning to all their clients, by email, that incidence of tick paralysis is so prevalent this season there is a national shortage of anti-venom. It is immeasurably unfair to have to come to terms with the consequences. Rest In Peace Pemma.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about Pema. It is always sad news when loved one pass away whether they have two legs or four.
Hope you are doing well yourself
Regards,
S and C.D

Barking Mad Equity for Pet Owners said...

Update. Complaints about vets (in NSW) can be made through the Veterinary Practitioners Board http://www.vpb.nsw.gov.au/page/Home_Page. Like lawyers, the vets regulate themselves even though their work is under statutory (legal) standards. (Laughing out loud is an appropriate response here). The vet that did ‘treat’ Pema has chosen not to respond to this blog entry directly, but did contact me. In summary, he puts the onus on me for not following his instructions. As Pema was assistance and highly trained dog that has allowed me more independence during my illness due to her training, his claim that I didn’t/ don’t follow vet instructions is lacking in substance. Pema has had four surgeries in the last 2 years due to knee / cruciate ligament. http://barking-madblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/dog-off-duty-pema.html The last one – a TTA, cost about $6000 and resulted in the loss of my home. http://barking-madblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/not-happy-dog-again.html I have had two cats that lived 15 years plus and that was due to good care, common sense and good vet care (teeth cleaning and the like). At times when Pema required treatment I had to hire home assistance, a driver, put myself into hospital, drive over 300k and/or pay for accommodation. One of these times was when I volunteered for the masters games in Sydney of which Pema was a welcome addition – at the sailing venue when the crown prince of Denmark (our Mary’s beau) was sailing. In short, there have been no shortcuts financially or otherwise as to Pema’s care and any such claim is ludicrous. The vet was Chris at S. Grafton Riverbank Vet http://www.riverbankvet.com.au/

jhpadd said...

Soo sorry Eedra. You must be so sad.

Anonymous said...

Eedra, I'm so sorry to hear about Pema. I know she was the love of your life and an absolutely fantastic dog.

I think we all live in fear of ticks getting our babies. Karma had two a couple of years ago, but fortunately I found them right away (one was dead, but hanging on, and one was very much alive on his "elbow"). I removed the ticks and got him treated immediately and they didn't even have to keep him overnight. I definitely lucked out on that one. If you're still living near the water, it's much worse and harder to keep your dog safe. I have no doubt that you did everything possibly to help her. Again, I'm very sorry.

In other ways, I hope you're doing well. Have you had any luck in passing "Barking Mad" on to someone else?

All the best, J.L.