It is hard to believe that I am writing this testimonial. Pet owners pray for their pets to live forever. My sweet Annie crossed over on 12/28/23. This was a day I never wanted to imagine. My heart shattered. She was my soul pup. She opened my life to so many new experiences and people. Annie was an American Staffordshire Terrier. Her breed falls under the umbrella term “Pit Bull”. Many quiver at the mention of Pit Bull but Annie was a true representation of her breed and my family and I became advocates of her breed, volunteers with various “Pit Bull” rescues as well as encouraging numerous adoptions of breeds under the “umbrella”. She was my shadow, my constant, my solid.
Annie was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy almost 2 years ago. This disease robbed her of her ability to eventually walk. She had a wheelchair that she loved to run in at the beach and at our friend’s farm. Otherwise I walked her with the help of a sling. She was able to use her front legs still so we became a pretty good wheelbarrow team. As her DM progressed in November and early December I knew that I was going to have to make the impossible call. I will say that Annie’s DM blessed my family with the ability to schedule her transition so she could be at home in her favorite bed.
I hope I do Dr. Eddie Desko and Grant justice with what they did for Annie as well as my family. From the moment these two amazing people entered our home they created an environment of tranquility and reassurance. They were so serene and kind. Dr. Eddie counselled me through my tears and reminded me that I was preserving Annie’s memory and that I was making a decision that was right for her. DM was only going to continue to rob her of the independence she had left. She would never recover and we wouldn’t want to wait until she could no longer breathe with ease or was unable to use her front legs or eat on her own. Dr. Eddie guided us the entire way as we made all the decisions about when to help her cross over. Annie’s passing was gut wrenching yet joyous at the same time. She was free. She could run again. I was happy for her yet devastated for all of us. Dr. Eddie and Grant became members of our family on December 28th. They guided our sweet Annie, our family member, to her freedom and for that we will forever be grateful. Without hesitation, I would recommend the Caring Pathways team to guide you through one of the most heartbreaking decisions you will make. Endless gratitude always to Dr. Eddie and Grant.
