In Memory of...

Cheeca

I woke up this morning and as usual I placed my feet over the side of the bed to feel for the furry mass that lies on the side of my bed every morning. When I did not feel the side of Cheeca’s fur I remembered that he is no longer with me and the sadness overwhelmed me once again.

Last night (May 13th, 2009) Cheeca was put to sleep due to degenerative myelopathy. His quality of life was no longer present after 6months of failing health.

I still remember when I met Cheeca. We went to the SPCA to see what dogs were available for adoption with a German shepherd in mind. Temma was just one month old. I walked in to the adoption floor and there he was pacing in the kennel back and forth. I took him out and instantly felt a connection for this 4yr old German shepherd. He seemed very anxious and super affectionate. That was the beginning of a relationship that I could not have imagined.

Cheeca was released to the SPCA because the owner was very poor and could not take care of him. He was very insecure and needy when he first arrived but the love in his heart was immense. He was so loving to everyone he met, dogs, people kids, little critters. His confidence grew, the longer we had him and he loved to gaze into your eyes and make a connection. Most dogs do not like eye contact but Cheeca felt it necessary to make this connection.

I never had to wonder where Cheeca was when we were hiking or just hanging out around the yard – he was always beside me or behind me. He never strayed and if any of the other dogs strayed off a trail, it was Cheeca who rounded them up and ensured they stayed on task. Once our family started the German Shepherd Rescue, the monitoring of the dogs on our daily hikes became Cheeca’s job and he took great pride in making sure all was well.

He quickly became an stellar example to the rescue dogs and often showed insecure rescue dogs what it is like to behave with good doggie petiquette – never reacting to their wide array of inappropriate behaviors – he was steady and balanced. The rescue dogs quickly gained confidence from Cheeca’s excellent modeling behavior. He helped more dogs than we could have imagined.

I used to call him my shadow and it did not bother me in the least that he followed me everywhere, but it did bother me during the past few weeks when he cried out because he could not get up to follow me around the house. He would position himself in doorways where he could see him coming and going from room to room but still this was upsetting for both of us.

During the end of the summer (2008) Cheeca hesitated when jumping in the truck after our hikes. I just figured that he was eight years old and didn’t want to jump any longer. Otherwise, he ran and enjoyed his hikes. At the beginning of December I noticed that Cheeca’s back leg would give out on him from time to time and he was not as steady in the back end. This worried me as I had two friends who had Shepherds who developed a problem with their legs. They could not feel their legs and eventually they deteriorated and were unable to walk.

Sure enough my fears were confirmed. Cheeca had degenerative myelopathy. The Myelin sheath that covers the axon was wearing down in places along the spine causing missed impulses sent to the brain to relay the information to move the legs. This is similar to MS in humans.

Cheeca’s spirit remained the same but the emotional stress was very difficult for him. He wanted to run and play but his legs were not always cooperative but sometimes they were. We still hiked on the beach because once he was up and stable his back legs following his front end --- for awhile.

I am pregnant so my long walks became shorter as I grew and Cheeca’s walks corresponded. We seemed like a walking match these past few months. As his legs got worse, my mobility did also. Cheeca whined more and I re-assured him constantly, letting him know how special he was. I was off for the past two months with him and I am grateful to have been able to spend this time with him. He needed me and I ….well still need him.

This past week he took a turn for the worst… and we had to help him down the three front steps on various occasions (which was quite the task at 9 months pregnant) so he could use the bathroom but that guy still wanted to go for a walk. His last day I walked him ½ block because he insisted but his back feet kept buckling over and his back leg kept collapsing. I again told him how special he was.

A few days before we brought him in the vet I decided to take him to Shubie Pk so he could hang out in the woods and see the doggies there. He loved trails. Me and the girls took him… alone without the other dogs and we didn’t go far but he really enjoyed it. Greeting the people and the dogs … he loved everyone. We took some really nice pictures but I knew it was time.

It would never have been time for me but this is the decision we have to make when we love our animals and we are their caretakers. Although, he was young and spry in his mind, his body was no longer cooperating and he deserved to leave this world with grace and not suffer any more…

It’s only been a few days since he left and this home is really empty without him by my side. I really wanted him to meet the baby but that was more for me than him. Cheeca words can not describe how wonderful you were. If I could take anything from you and incorporate into my life, I would take your capacity to love and be loved, live in the moment and appreciate all things life has to offer. You were truly a teacher. I will miss you always.