I am heartbroken over the loss of this truly amazing dog. At the same time, Im am truly amazed by the tremendous outpouring of support. I am touched beyond belief to hear how many people enjoyed my dog and found pleasure in watching the two of us work together. We shared an amazing bond.
Now begins the long process of adjusting to life without Quiz and settling into a new "normal" as time begins to heal the hurt in my heart.
In following up with the specialty clinic, Ive learned that the staff is reviewing the incident and trying to determine how best to modify surgical protocol so that a similar medication error does not happen again. I am told it was an experienced tech who made the mistake, and so far, the office has no definitive explanation for *how* the mistake happened.
I did learn, however, that upon reviewing his case, the medical director said shed have been very, very surprised if the mass had not been cancerous.
I, of course, knew that was a strong possibility. Cancer, specifically the Big "H," is exactly why my heart sank the night before in my regular vets office as we looked at the mass on an x-ray.
All I can think at this point - in an effort to find a bit of peace - is that it *was* cancer, and that somehow, this horrible, tragic, unexplainable mistake happened to spare my sweet, amazing, vibrant dog from a devastating diagnosis. For Quiz, having his body deteriorate when his spirit wouldve remained strong wouldve been a fate worse than death. And watching it happen - only to have to make the difficult decision of when to free him from that prison - wouldve been gut-wrenching.
With this in my mind, I can be thankful that Quiz spent his last weekend on earth blissfully playing at our dear friends house while I was out of town, and for how he ran around the vets office bouncy and silly and offering up one of his most popular tricks ... chasing *and catching* his tail. He may have had cancer, but cancer, at that point, did not have him.
Its funny how your mind begins to remember things in the wake of a tragedy. The night before surgery, as I tried to sleep with him beside me, I told him two things: That it was OK if he really needed to go, but that if he wasnt ready, I knew hed find a way to stay with us; and I promised Id never make him suffer just to prolong his time here on earth.
At the risk of sounding like the "crazy dog lady," I have to believe that his body may well have survived the surgery if not for the overdose, but with cancers insidious grip lurking in the wings, the overdose somehow happened to spare my sweet boy - and everyone who loved him - that heartache.
Crazy as it sounds, its the only explanation that makes even the smallest bit of sense.
-Stephanie
A few of my favorite Quiz videos...
Yup. Thats Quiz!
Such a fun partner in the ring.
Gotta love that zest for life!
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