Pets & Animals in Distress
Sandy Update 4 -13-2005

Pets & Animals in Distress and myself would like to personally thank you and everyone that has been following Sandy's tragic story and progress by sending your outpour of love, prayers and generosity to try to help save Sandy's life.

I am very saddened and tear full eyed to report that Sandy battle to survive has finally come to and end on April 12, 2005 around 1 pm (EST) as her kidneys have completely stopped functioning. On (4-12) I got a call from Darla around 8am in the morning who told me that Sandy had thrown and was laying still and would not move and was very weak. I immediately told Darla to rush Sandy up to Academy Animal Hospital and I would call them to inform them of Sandy’s serious medical condition and let them know that Darla was rushing Sandy up their and be prepared to see Dr. Stewart.

Upon arriving at the clinic Sandy was then seen and checked by Dr. Stewart, and after his diagnosis it was determined that Sandy’s kidneys were no longer functioning and that her BUN levels have shot up to 210 which we then knew their was no more light or hope left to save Sandy. Dr. Stewart then told me that she is now suffering in pain and recommended that Sandy’s time had come to go heaven.

We now had to make the decision that no one ever likes to make about our special loved Sandy. On April 12, 2005 at 1pm our beloved Sandy girl departed us, to now be in the care and comfort of God’s hands so she can now find peace, happiness and feel no more pain up in Rainbow Bridge heaven and to also enjoy being with many of our other departed best friends that we have all loved and lost at one time in our lives. We all will miss her!

Although Little Sandy did not get the chance to live a long healthy and happy life that she deserved, we know in our hearts that we can say we accomplished our mission to do our best to help save Sandy life and for her to know that her last remaining weeks that Sandy knew that she was now with people who deeply loved and cared for her and that she had the chance to live in a loving home with her loving and caring foster parents Darla and Alan who were their for her 24/7. To know what it was like to have her belly rubbed and scratched, to sleep on the couch and her own special bed, to get treats and most of all to be loved and get all the attention she wanted.

I would like to thank personally the following

Darla & Alan for being the great animal lovers and wonderful people that were there for Sandy 24/7 to give her a warm loving home and lots of love and happiness and for taking care of her special needs. Sandy will be forever great full of you both.

Dr. Stewart and his wonderful staff for everything they have done to provide the best medical care and for being by Sandy’s side in her battle to survive. Even when Dr. Stewart would even come in on his days off to give a special check up on Sandy and say hello to her. Dr. Stewart was their for us and Sandy 24/7 and we thank him for his true love and dedication in helping to try to save Sandy. You are a very special animal doctor that we truly thank you for your advise and everything that could have been done for our special little girl. Thank You!

To Dr. Goldstein the well known holistic medicine doctor from Connecticut who gave me a free consultation and put together a holistic remedy for Sandy only a few days before she passed.

And to my Husband Don who I could not have done this without you.

(A Special E-Mail From Darla that I would like to share below)

Hello Everyone

Sad news! We had to say goodbye to Sandy today. This morning I woke to find Sandy not doing well. I rushed her to the hospital and after a few tests the Doctor determined that her kidneys were no longer functioning at all. This meant she was going to suffer if we waited any longer.

Sandy had a very comfortable and loving passing. Alan and I got to spend a few minutes alone with her to say goodbye. It was great to see her lift her leg for that final belly rub and wag her tail to let us know she was happy. We also stayed for the procedure so that Sandy would not feel alone in her passing.

Several of us were there. I am amazed with Dr. Stewart and the love he showed to Sandy. He also said his goodbye and I could see how she connected with him. The technician Heather, that Sandy loved so much (and visa versa) was also there, as well as a male technician that I had not yet come to know. Sandy was rubbed and touched by all of us during the procedure. She did not feel any pain and drifted peacefully off to sleep.

It is funny how instinct makes things happen. Last night I let her sleep on the soft red fabric sofa (something just told me she needed extra comfort). And I am so thankful I did. I also allowed my dogs to ride to the hospital with me this morning and Trena laid very close to her for the entire ride. Now I know they were able to say their goodbyes. My dogs knew before I did that it would be the last time they would see Sandy.

It was not until I got the test results several hours later that I knew we would have to say goodbye. At that point, I realized by my dogs behavior that they had known all morning. We are all still mourning and will for a while. It is like losing a part of the family.

What I know for sure is Sandy enjoyed her last weeks and certainly knew she was part of the family. She had traveled to West Palm beach for an overnight stay, had taken me to the airport for my departing flight and also greeted me on my return. She laid beside my feet when I worked in my office. She ate special food cooked especially for her. And when she had the strength she explored the backyard. But even when she did not feel like doing a thing she was rubbed, kissed and spoken to often.

Although Sandy had gained weight and her blood was improving greatly, the kidneys were too far gone. A normal BUN level is 35 and Sandy's was 176 when we first rescued her. With medical care they came down to 115 at one point, but were never steady. Today her BUN levels were at an all time high, over 200. We were simply out of options.

Thank you for caring about Sandy.

I also thank the WONDERFUL people at Pets and Animals in Distress who covered every medical bill by raising donations and making a web page especially for Sandy. I can't tell you how many phone calls Brenda and her husband Don made on Sandy's behalf. Some of the amazing things accomplished by them was finding a very hard to find drug (Epogen) and having it sent to Dr. Stewart. Getting a free consultation with a well known holistic Dr. Goldstein who normally charges $400 for a 30 minute consultation, and getting Sandy then evaluated and put on a holistic program in addition to her normal medical treatments. And it did not stop when Sandy could not be saved. They also paid for a special cremation and urn so that I could have Sandy with me always.

And Dr. Stewart at Academy Animal Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale is the most caring Dr. of animals that I have ever met. I highly recommend Dr. Stewart and Academy Animal Hospital to anyone with any type of pet (even birds).

And don't forget that you too can make a difference! If you ever see an animal in need PLEASE do something, even if it is only to make a phone call. Always report animal abuse or neglect. In most every State there are rescue groups for each breed, Humane Society, and other smaller organizations that can make a HUGE difference.

In this case, I was lucky enough to find Pets and Animals in Distress. If you don't know what to do, there are always special animal lover angels like Brenda who do.

Your animal loving friends,

Darla & Alan

April 12, 2005 AND TO ALL OUR DEAREST ANIMAL FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US AND TOUCHED OUR HEARTS. HERE IS A SPECIAL POEM I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE FOR SANDY!
	Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone who was very special to them... someone who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown

Sandy was loved by so many of us that she touched our hearts for her battle to survive. She will be deeply missed by all of us. She now has beautiful memories of what a loving family life was like and what it felt like to be loved and wanted.

We Love You & We will all miss her terribly. God Bless you Sandy and may the Angels above that will now surround and protect you forever.

Pets & Animals in Distress and myself would like to thank you for your love, support and prayers you have given for Sandy in her critical time of need and know that we are forever great full. God Bless!

Regards,

Brenda Beck, President
Pets & Animals in Distress
"Your Best Friends Helping Our Best Friends"
www.petsandanimals.org


P.S. We would kindly ask anyone that would like to send a special thank you card or e-mail to (Dr. Stewart & Staff, Darla and Allan) for everything that they have done to help make Sandy's final days her happiest and most loving ones she will always have memories of up in heaven. Please send them to our organization mailing or e-mail or address below in care of Sandy's Angels would be deeply appreciated.


Pets & Animals in Distress
C/O Sandy's Angels
1511 east commercial blvd - PMB #129
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334
(contact@petsandanimals.org)