Newsy Tuesday: A Tribute to a Fellow Epi-Dog Who has Travelled to the Rainbow Bridge

There is no cure (yet) for Canine Epilepsy. There are medications and vitamins and diet plans available all to help manage seizures - sometimes successfully, and unfortunately, sometimes not so successful. Sadly, today's story is of the latter for a furpal we met via social networking about Canine Epilepsy - the very handsome Fred of Hound Girl, who just earned his wings and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Today's blog post is dedicated to Fred.

Fred was an Epi-dog, diagnosed in June 2011. He is also one of the beautiful stars of my Canine Epilepsy Awareness video posted last November (see Fred at 3:53). Yesterday, via his hu-mom's Facebook page, I sadly learned that Fred went to the hospital and was experiencing a large number of cluster seizures throughout the night before he was finally set free to cross the Rainbow Bridge. A decision I know must have been so heartbreaking to make...yet, watching helplessly as a beloved friend has one seizure after another as their own body turns on itself, is even more devastating. To see a furbaby struggle with seizures and the worry of what type of damage it could be causing, weighs heavy on the Epi-dog parent's mind. Ultimately, there is no winning decision in these cases. Only the best decision we can make for our pets since they can not make the decision themselves. Sometimes, we have to let them go to ease their suffering, although our suffering at their loss will remain in our hearts forever. We warm ourselves with their memory and the love and joy they brought into our lives. We feel so lucky that they were part of our family. That is our blanket of solace.

RIP Fred of Hound Girl.

Fred bravely fought the war against seizures and Canine Epilepsy. Run now, seizure-free, Fred, through those breezy fields beyond the Rainbow Bridge. 

My heartfelt condolences go out to Kari, Fred's hu-mom, and her family during this very sad and difficult time. I believe Fred is watching them from above and sending them all of his love.

Request From Rainbow Bridge

by Constance Jenkins
(In Loving Memory of Isolde Jenkins)


Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
* * *

In memory of Fred (3:53).