I logged on to TriPAWDS in July, it was right before we decided to go forward with the amputation on Sugar’s right leg, I hadn’t been that emotional about anything in my 41 years on earth. I rescued Sugar from the SPCA on the West Bank in New Orleans in Aug of 2007. I was single and felt the pull to rescue a dog, for the selfish purpose of being more lonely than I would admit to anybody. Sugar was given up by a family and was very depressed. She also had heart worms, and I was very gentle and made sure Sugar healed . Sugar healed and over time became a very confident dog. She and I have been inseparable and I had to fortune of bringing her to work with me until 7 months ago when a large wound on the top of her leg wouldn’t go away. Then one day, Dr. Baumer let me know his worst fears , that Sugar had bone cancer, but we had options because it had not spread. The amputation of the front right leg was a success and with a 20 inch incision, Sugar came home to heal. We decided to not do chemo to maximize her quality of life. I try not to second guess myself, but I can’t look back
The first few days were gut wrenching for me, but Sugar took it in stride. She face planted a few times while going to bathroom. She would get back up and over time her strength allowed her to move around and do what she pleased. It was a humbling experience to watch my girl keep her positive playful disposition. I have been blessed, but I made sure I was tuned in to make sure I noticed if cancer returned. She started having a dry hacking cough, and I decided to bring her to vet to get a X ray. My worst fears came true and cancer had metastasis to her Lungs. She didn’t have a clue and even with her cough hopped out of vet office and into my car. Dr. Baumer called me and asked me how I was doing, and I was seconds away from losing it. I thanked him for his kind words, and agreed we would have to likely say good bye to Sugar during the Holidays. I can’t tell you how hard this has been, I am happily married to Jessica and have 2 pugs Lucy and Ronnie Lu Lu. Sugar , Lucy and Ron Lu make a great pack. We will all rally around Sugar the next few days and enjoy her beautiful presence. To avoid her suffering any more , it’s time to say good bye.I will likely set up appointment for Sugar to end her journey and rest in peace. We will enjoy the next couple of days and be so thankful for a wonderful life together. I leave you with a poem I wrote that was a way for me to manage the grief. I hope my story helps someone else going through a similar loss. Dogs are Gods gift to man, and i can’t thank him enough for sending Sugar into my life.
Sugar so sweet , She never missed a beat
As she dug in deep, my heart was complete
Oh I know when she leaves me , things will be so bleak
Sugar my friend, Lord please don’t let it end
I beg you Sugar to stay, but I know it’s not the way
I cry for fear I will lose my way
Then one day it was the scariest day
I was told Sugar was in it , in such a unfair way
Cancer was here and wanted it’s way
Sugar said no way, as Dr. Renee chopped it away
Sugar knew her time was soon, but not today
she had some unfinished business
it may be months until Sugar is taken away
So Sugar said I will live life these last months
because I have to stay
Why won’t I give in and pass away
Because it’s okay to show you the way
The way to live, The way to Love
The way to heaven is only days away
So I say it’s okay to cry, cry away
But don’t you forget the team we created each day
Sugar don’t go
I have to leave you, but I will always be with you
Tell my buds Lucy and Ron Lu and don’t forget Millie
she was my boo boo
Lastly I say this , Jessica was the best , and made it like heaven
My Love to everyone as I have to leave , man it’s hard but it’s going to be okay
Love is what our life was together , like a Dove I fly away
Sugar is love and I may fly back some day
Sugar we love you and will hold you tight when it’s time
We won’t leave you in the Cold , We will hold you as you leave us
We love and thank you for everything my best friend
Richard L Edrington Jr.
Richard, I’m so very sorry that you’re hurting right now. I understand your pain. Sugar sounds like a wonderful soul. And you’ve given her a wonderful life and family. You will treasure these memories forever. She knows how much you’ve given her, that’s why she’s been so strong! Keep all of those happy times close to your heart.
Hugs to you & your family,
Donna
Donna,
I appreciate your kind words and support. The memories will be with me forever.
Your so kind to send that sweet email on xmas day.
Hugs back to you and your family.
Richard
Sending you hugs at this hard time. It’s so clear that you love Sugar so very much–she’ll always be in your heart.
Sugar is just as lucky to have found such a fantastic parent as you are to have her.
I hate cancer so much.
Richard, I am sorry for the heartache you are feeling as you prepare to say goodbye to your dearest friend, Sugar. But I am also so moved by the story of your friendship – you saved her years ago and again when you made the brave decision to remove the source of pain and give her bonus time with you and your family. And she saved you from that loneliness you would not admit to. And now you have to be brave again for her. But I know you will. A final thanks for all your brave Tripawd warrior girl has given you. I wish you strength and I wish for Sugar a gentle journey.
Lisa
When we near the end of the cancer path it is hard for us not to go back and wonder ‘what if…’
The truth is that we can never know what would have happened if we had made a different choice. I’ve been here at Tripawds a long time and I can tell you that chemo is pretty much a crap shoot! I’ve seen dogs do chemo for OSA and get mets during chemo and only have a couple months. I’ve seen dogs do not chemo and live years… and everything in between.
You made the very best choice for Sugar and your family, you made the choice because you love Sugar- and therefore it was the right choice!
I’m so sorry that you are at this point now- treasure each and every moment!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
The whole time I’m reading this @ovely tribute to Sipugar my tears are flowing. She is clearly adored by you and all her pack. A beautiful team was definitely created and NOTHING can break that bond!!
Richard, you have a wonderful gift in the way you expressed words of love spoken from your heart. Thank you for sharing that lovely peom.
It sounds like Sugar is still “comfrrtable” and you are avle to srill share some sacred fime together. I found that some Prednisone and a bit of Tramadol helped ro keep my Happy Hannah comfortable so she could have some more tummy rubs and spoiling.
I nust wa t to throw out ine wuick thing on chemo. It’s a crap shoot. Some dogs don’t even finish the treatme ts before those ets show up. A d some dogs bet as much as twonyears or more extenr time without chemo….and vice versa. So need not give that another thought.
The best treatment plan is the ine you and Jessica have been giving Sugar every second of every day…LOVE AND DEVOTION!! You have surrounded her with @ove and care and yiu will be by her side when yiu give her the gift of release when she needs it.
Please stay connected. We are Sugar’s extended family and we understand every aspect of this journey like no others can.. We understand the depth of your love for Sugar. We understand how much she, and you, enjoyed the bo js time yiu were avle to give her. We understand all the happy memories of sll these years rogether will ALWAYS be with you. Just as you felt privileged to have Sugar in yiur life, she felt just as privileged to have you in hers.
Continue to make every moment count. You are still together. The time for gut wrenching grief will come….but not today.
We are all by your side. You are not alone.
Sending you strength, peace and a knowing that all is well in Sugar’s Universe
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
I am so very sorry for the pain that you are all going through. You gave your girl a wonderful life and showed her so much love. Without you and your family she might never have had that.
Take care of each other through this hard time and stay close.
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤
I’m so sorry you’ve reached this the hardest part of the journey! Sugar will remain with you in spirit and all our Angels will greet her at the bridge and make her welcome. Your poem tribute to her is beautiful and I can tell she was much loved!
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
Richard we are so sorry. Sugar was such a lucky girl to be so loved and cherished. You gave her the dream life, one filled with all the good times any dog could ask for. Please know we are keeping you in our thoughts and send lots of love and condolences your way. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your life with her, it’s an honor.
I want to thank everyone for sending so much comfort , I had to take Sugar in on Dec 27th , it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, The night before she had a really tough night, and I couldn’t watch her suffer, she was trying so hard to be tough, and I knew she was in pain. My wife and I took her to our Vet who is my old friend and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate his respect for the pain we were in. Sugar peacefully said her good by and we cried our eyes out for days. I had a wonderful time with Sugar and she will always hold a special place in our hearts. Thank You Tri Pawds for the courage to amputate, and enjoy our last 7 months together, it was a long good by and I can’t tell you how much it did for us. I got to love on Sugar every day and we had a bond so strong it will be with me forever , For those who are in pain and don’t know if amputation is the way to go, well I can’t tell you how much I support this route. Dogs love life, and they love their families. They want to be with you the extra months or years. If your ever in a bad spot think of how much love a dog like sugar gave so many even though so much was against her in the beginning of her life and at her end. Tri Pawds is a heroic place , Sugar RIP