Chaz, My Baby with a Warrior Heart

This is a post I had never hoped to write, but knew in my heart it was inevitable.
Our sweet baby Chazzie is gone. As many of you know, he has been fighting for 2 years now against an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure.
It happened so quickly that we are still trying to process it. He was fine this morning, and this afternoon he started coughing up blood. I gave him an extra dose of Lasix and called his vet, but his beloved vet Dr. Sarah wasn’t in today. I decided to give it a few minutes, but he was still struggling to breathe, so we took him in to see another vet at Parkland Vet Clinic who has given Chaz such wonderful care. He rallied on the way to the vet, and I promised him a steak for dinner when we got home.
It turned out it was a promise I couldn’t keep.
At the vet his breathing became laboured again, and there was more blood. The only choice we had was to take him back to the specialist, where he was unlikely to survive the night…or to let him go. We decided that he deserved to have his Mama and Daddy with him, and after begging the vet for any other options, we made the choice to end his suffering.
He was given a sedative first, which he fought, and a catheter was placed in his leg to give him his final meds. Somehow I managed to stop crying, as I did not want his last sight on earth to be me in tears. Instead, we talked to him about what a good boy he is, how much we loved him, and how when he woke up he would be in fields of green, with warm sun always on his shoulders. Shrimple and Julia would be there to meet him, and that it would only seem to be minutes until he sees us again.
It took the vet several tries to get the needle in the catheter as he was still fighting with that warrior spirit that was such a part of him.
He is gone, and has left a void that will never be filled. Our Baby Boy, who was so tiny when he joined our family that he couldn’t even lift a French fry. Our Baby Boy, who would want a toy his brother had, but play with gusto with another, watching Church the whole time until he had his attention, then “accidentally” dropping his toy in front of Church. When Church would run to get that dropped toy, Chaz would fly off the couch and grab the toy he really wanted, and run like crazy with it.
Our Baby Boy who has fought with a lion’s heart against this illness, and defied the odds for 2 years.
Our Baby Boy, who was everything anyone could wish for.
Chaz Monfer, we love you, we already miss you so much, and we can’t wait to see you again. You will live in our hearts forever.

I welled up reading this. I'm so sorry for your loss terry

Thank you Chris, I appreciate it.

Oh Terry, so beautifully written. Thinking of you x

Terry, my friend, I am so very sorry. I know this is an extremely difficult thing to bear. I'm here for you.

Terry, my dear sweet friend, I am so very sorry for your terrible loss. I know your love for little Chazzie was boundless, Chazzie knew that all along. Your love is also timeless, it will be there after a million tears have washed away some of the sharp edges. A love that strong can break your heart but it will also comfort you.

Sweet Chazzie, like so many others here, I know you through your mom's words. Rest peacefully, Little One. You were an extraordinary companion in every possible way. You will be remembered with love and respect, you will remain in so many hearts always.

Terry so sorry to hear of your loss. May your little boy rest in peace. My thoughts are with you.

Hugs to you, Terry, lots of them. I still can't believe it...

Rest easy sweet Chazzie! :heart:

So so sorry

A much loved baby!

I'm so sorry for your loss..

What a grand little family member and your love for him is a beautiful tribute. I, too, wish they lived longer. May your pain today flow toward the many, many wonderful memories you made with your boy. My heartfelt compassion and prayers.

I am so very sorry, Terry. Chaz was such a close family member, and it is a testament to your forbearance and warrior spirit he was able to live so well against long odds. Hugs to you and Reg.

Terry Blossom, I am so deeply sorry for your loss, my friend. And for Reg's. I know how much Chaz means to you both, and it hurts my heart to know how profound your sadness must be at the moment.

I wish I could ease your grief, sweetheart. But only time will do that. What I can tell you, though, is that little Chaz need no longer fight. He's already proven his mettle, his warrior's heart, and has risen above any further need for struggle. He is now at peace. A peace well earned and deserved.

And the treasure trove of wonderful memories you both have of him, like the one you were kind enough to share with us, is the lasting gift that he's left behind for you. He even, through sheer strength of his warrior's will, stayed on an extra 2 years to give you as many of those memories as he could.

Because he loved you.

For all of his life, he's loved you. And he's been loved so very much in return. That, dearest Terr, is a life well-lived. That is the life that you and Reg have given him.

You'll be missed, Chaz. The little dog with the big warrior's heart.

Thank you all so much for your kind words. It has been a real comfort to us, and I thank you all for allowing me to share my Baby with you.

I'm so sorry for your loss Terry.

Reading your post made me think of that episode of "Derek" in the second season when Ivor, his "favoritist dog of all" has to be put down.

You will meet again and when you do, Chaz will be there waiting to greet you.

Aw man I'm too tired to read this.

Way too emotional.

I'm so sorry for your loss but so happy to hear how much you loved him.

Thank you so much for your comforting words. I too believe that our Baby will be there waiting, wagging his tail like crazy.

I wanted to mention that if anyone in my area is looking for a vet for their dog or cat, I can't recommend Parkland Vet Clinic in Spruce Grove enough. They are family owned and operated, and truly feel our babies are a part of that family.
When we went to bring Chazzie home for the last time, it was the day before Good Friday, and the place was packed. I was crying, and we were taken into an exam room where Dr. Sarah came in and spent 45 minutes with us, talking about Chazzie, and comforting us. I had brought in a carved box that belonged to my Great Aunt that had 2 compartments in it. In the left compartment I had put Chazzie's favourite toy.
I asked Sarah if she would place Chazzie in the other side, as I just couldn't do it. She did so with such gentleness, and tears, and I was once again blown away by what a wonderful person she is.

Anyway, if you need a vet, please check them out. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Terry I am so sorry Breaks my heart. Hugs

Oh Terry, I am so so sorry that you have lost Chaz. I'm sorry this is so late as I just saw the post. He sounds like he was an absolutely wonderful dog. It's never easy to let them go.

I just want to say that the picture you posted of him was a beautiful one. It totally shows his spirit. He looks like he was an amazing companion and a little fighter. Dogs are so amazing! Hugs to you! :smile015: