Spike and Tiny, crossing rainbow bridge

I’m Jayme and these two trouble makers are Spike (white papihound) and Tiny (chihuahua). They are senior boys and I adopted Spike when he was 5 months old (now 11) and Tiny was a private rescue I did a little over 8 years ago.

Tiny had multiple homes before he came to my home. He was extremely shutdown, underweight and unbeknownst to me, he had a severe heart murmur. It took a solid two years to build trust with him and he became a completely different dog! His heart murmur sounded improved with his improved health and he has been a funny, tough, and secretly sweet pup ever since his health improved. His favorite thing has always been his mini king alligator. Tiny went blind a couple years ago (he also came to me with scarring on his eyes but eventually the scarring became full blown cataracts and he has become the sweetest and happiest dog since losing his vision). Tiny was recently diagnosed with cognitive decline (aka doggy dementia).

Spike is a vibe… a perfect family dog, happy, super intelligent and driven and the biggest baby ever. Spike actually saved my life when he (with zero training) alerted my family that I was having a medical emergency… without Spike, I would not have made it. After I recovered, I did train him as my service dog and he retired 2 years ago. Spike was diagnosed with IVDD 6ish years ago and last year it was discovered he has developed a fairly significant heart murmur. However, even in retirement, Spike has still worked and has taken it upon himself to become Tiny’s seeing eye dog.

Spike and Tiny became super bonded after Tiny lost his vision. Both are in failing health and with Tiny’s cognitive decline, I have had to make the heart wrenching decision that due to Spike’s IVDD being so painful now, that both will cross the rainbow bridge together.

I am unfortunately disabled and on a fixed income. I would love to be able to have them cross while at home, however those costs are astronomical where I am at. so if you feel so inclined and are able and you would like to help these two senior boys who have overcome so much and become more than “just dogs”, they are my family who have saved me, myself, Spike and Tiny would greatly appreciate it.