Nov. 3 2020

It is with a very heavy heart that in this update I have to tell you that we said goodbye to Chico yesterday.

Several weeks ago he had a bout of pancreatitis which made it difficult to regulate his insulin and his glucose levels became very high despite dose changes.   Chico had two seizures Sunday -Monday within 6  hours and continued to have neurological symptoms afterwards.  His doctors suspect that he had some other serious disease process at play.   Due to past trauma in his life, Chico suffered from severe anxiety when caged or crated - to the point where he would make his paws bleed  trying to escape.  (he could not even tolerate being in a room with a closed door)  He was extremely agitated after only a few hours stay at the vet on Saturday.   Further diagnostics would have entailed a hospital stay in the ICU and we decided that this was not a humane option for him and could possibly result in his last few days being alone, stressed and frightened. 

So, we made the heart wrenching decision to let him go. He passed very peacefully in my arms - his favourite spot to be...
 
Chico was the kindest, most loving, sweet,  brave and gentle boy despite all he went through.  He was so very loved and spoiled in our home and went everywhere with us.  We are heartbroken and devastated. 

My most sincere thanks to everyone that contributed to this GoFund Me to assist me with his medical care over the past two years.  I am forever grateful. 

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When sweet Chico found himself in need of a new home,  it  was my intention to foster him and find him a wonderful new family.   Sadly,  the family that adopted him returned him to me after only a few months because he became ill.    A month later, Chico was diagnosed with diabetes and lost his sight due to diabetic cataracts that literally formed overnight.     My husband and I knew then that we had to make him part of our family so that he would be safe and cared for - forever.    Unfortunately diabetic cataracts can cause many additional eye problems.   Chico had his initial consult with a board certified ophthalmologist and sadly several serious  eye issues were found .  He also has a large mass on his eye lid that is causing a painful ulcer.     We want to do everything possible to keep him pain free- but wouldn't it be an added Christmas miracle for him to be able to see again?  Cataract surgery restores sight but can also help to prevent other extremely painful conditions such as glaucoma from developing in the future.  We know  there are so many pets in need but Chico would appreciate any small amount you could give.  

Summary of Chico's medical costs;
Ophthalmologist consult and initial testing; $420
Eye lid mass removal: $2000
Additional testing prior to cataract surgery: $700
Cataract surgery: $8000
This does not include ongoing costs for management of his diabetes and medications for his eyes.   

Chico is the sweetest, most incredible little dog.  He remains resilient through all he has endured and has an immeasurable capacity to forgive, trust and love.  I am honoured to be his "heart human."
If you have a moment, please read his 'letter to Santa'. 

Dear Santa,

This is my first letter to you - I’m 11.5 years old.  I only have one thing on my Christmas list - but it’s pretty big - so I’m hoping that because I’ve never asked for anything before, you may be able to help me...

My Christmas wish is to see my “heart human again”.  It’s not that we are physically separated, it’s that I physically cannot see her.  About two months ago, I started not feeling well and suddenly, overnight really, my world went very very cloudy.   Fixing my eyes would also take away a lot pain in them and also it hurts when I bump into things - but mostly I'd like to see again so I can run and play and see my heart human of course.   I have injections twice a day now to help make me feel better and I get poked a lot to test my blood.   I am always VERY good though Santa and I never growl or bite - even though it sometimes hurts.  I try to be very brave as I navigate my new dark world and I hear my heart human cheer me on when I get up on my favourite chair or find my old spot on the couch.   She says I’m amazing and resilient and talks about my spirit – but truly I am just happy to be with her and all I want for Christmas is to see her again... 
And Santa, just in case you don’t know what a heart human is;
Humans say they will have many dogs in their lifetime but that they will only have one ‘heart dog”,  a special dog with whom they share an irreplaceable connection.  I have had many humans in my life but have finally found my ‘heart human.’  I knew I was meant to be with her the moment she held me safely in her arms.
You see, I first met her two years ago.   She knew then that I wasn’t being cared for as I should be and she tried to help me find a new home, but my family didn’t want to let me go.  I suffered a lot during the next few years and I know her heart still aches about that…   After I went to live with her,  she spent many sleepless nights calming my fears and helping me with my house training. It took several months but I finally got the hang of things. I ate lots of delicious food, gained weight, and felt healthy and happy again.  I even remembered how to play!   Then she took me to live with a new family.  I think because she already had 3 heart dogs in the house besides me..?  I was very confused and missed my heart human.  A few months later though, I got sick and my new family decided they could not take care of me anymore. I found myself back with my heart human and even though I wasn’t feeling the best, I was overjoyed.
   Because I am scared to be left on my own, my heart human takes me everywhere. This makes me REALLY happy.  The reason I am scared Santa is because I was left alone a lot in the past, sometimes for a really long time.  I never knew when someone was coming back for me…I would get really frantic and I would claw and dig at my cage until my nails bled.   I stopped eating and lost a lot of hair from stress…but that’s all over now.  If I get scared, my heart human holds me tight in her arms and whispers to me that she will never let me suffer again, she says she will keep me safe and love me and that I am home now. She says maybe I will even be able to get my eyes fixed so I can see and run and play again. I love her even more when I hear this and I tuck my nose under her arm. I know I am forever safe. She is my heart human.  All I want for Christmas is to see her again….

Thank you Santa...

Love, Chico.