RIP Sweet Chi Chi

We said good-bye to my sweet little rat terrier Chi Chi yesterday. She was almost sixteen years old and lived with kidney failure for the last few months. Chi Chi came into our lives about eleven years ago, when we agreed to foster her. She had lived with an elderly woman who had to move into a nursing home and was living with a family that was not a good fit. When we took her in as a foster, she was so traumatized that she wouldn't eat or drink for almost three days. She was desperately afraid of doorways; we suspected a door had been slammed on her more than once. We quickly fell in love with her and all her quirks. We realized that she would need a unique situation to be happy, so we decided she should stay with us, and our terrier mix Lizzie. Chi Chi loved laying by the fire, burrowing deep into her blankets, and playing with her chihuahua sister Bella. And food. That little dog would eat till she popped if we let her! She played with her stuffed toys with that joyful terrier tencaity and she adored going to Camp 'Mille, my sister-in-law's house.

A couple of months ago, we noticed she just wasn't herself, so we brought her in for a check-up. Our vet discovered that her kidneys were failing, so we began a treatment plan of special food (she had eaten ZD Prescription diet for most of her life; we changed to KD) and sub-q fluids. She did pretty well until Saturday, when she began having seizures. After the fourth seizure, Sunday morning, we decided it would be best to let her go, as this happens at the end stages of kidney failure. We didn't want her to suffer through another one or the after-effects which were worse each time. She had another seizure at the Emergency Vet Clinic, so our decision, although difficult, was merciful. RIP sweetie. You'll be in our hearts forever.

Special thanks to Dr. Renee, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Tanya at Acadiana Veterinary Care Center, and to Dr. Denise at the Lafayette Animal Emergency Clinic. Your dedication and your kindness was greatly appreciated.