Happy Tail Archives
A Very Special (but Bittersweet) Happy Tail
Every now and then there is the “One” that for absolutely no rhyme or reason touches your soul. And so it goes with this precious one named Cesar.
I came to know of Cesar through a large animal rescue network family. Cesar, just a little pup had been left at a Michigan Shelter – not perfect and with a medical condition called ‘hydrocephalus’, meaning water on the brain.
Cesar’s challenges would be many – which I knew. But my hopes were equally high.
If you’ve read the on-going updates for Cesar then clearly you already know that we brought him to a place of puppy happiness. Although his physical appearance would always be not quite right with the world, it seemed that we had turned the corner and at the least brought him to a point where he could play happily and healthy.
(Read Cesar's Updates)
Healthy Cesar was. Cesar grew from the 14 pound pup that he was when I took him in; to a hefty 64.3 pounds at the age of 7 months. Playing was high on Cesar’s list of priorities for the day, every day. About the only time of peace in the household was when he slept during the night only to wake refreshed and raring to go again.
Cesar would tear through the house, roust up his siblings causing constant commotion, get into things, and then come over to me with his ever ‘rottie wiggle butt’ and demand some puppy hugs and petting.
When outside, Cesar followed me everywhere, never wondering very far away. Cesar’s favorite outside activity was fetch. For as long as I would throw whatever play toy of the moment, Cesar was hot on its trail only to return and drop it at my feet.
All seemed right in the world for Cesar. An adoptive home had been found for him, a place where he would live out his life as King of the Castle. Cesar was to move soon to his forever home and his adoptive family was aware of his medical challenges and risks.
Then on Friday morning, March 7, 2008 everything changed.
Friday morning started out like every other morning. Wake up, stretch, and out the door to take care of that personal business! That done and back in....time to tear around the house while mom gets breakfast ready. Yummy! And Cesar loved to devour his food. Friday morning was no different, the dish went down and in his zeal the food went flying. Oh well, start over....fill the dish again!
But then the morning took an awful turn. For no reason whatsoever, Cesar vomited his breakfast. Cleaned up and in his crate to rest, it wasn't long before he vomited again. This time just bile, lots of it. Off and on throughout the morning it continued. Where his stool had been firm first thing in the morning, Cesar was now plagued with diarrhea and the periodic vomiting continued. I called the vet, collected some stool, and out the door we went.
By the time we got to the vet and I got Cesar out of the van, he could stand but would not walk, so I picked him up and carried him. At just about 65 pounds - not an easy task. The vet took him right in and started checking him out.
They tested the stool, no worms, and no parasites of any kind. Temperature check - all normal there. Listen to the heart and lungs - all normal there too. Puzzled at best we did a Parvo test even though Cesar was up to date on all his vaccines. Still nothing - the Parvo test was negative. We decided to do an X-ray to see if his stomach had twisted, or to see if he had any kind of obstruction. Nothing wrong could be found.
We gave him IV fluids, a shot of antibiotics, a shot to prevent Cesar from any more vomiting. Four different kind of pills and home to wait and see, believing all along that somehow he must have picked up some kind of illness even though we could not identify what.
But swiftly the Angel came and took him over the Rainbow Bridge . From the time I got home until the Angel came I sat with Cesar, petting him, talking softly to him, praying and willing him to get better. There's no rhyme or reason to it all, I thought we got him past the hydrocephalus, how could Cesar the night before be a happy playing puppy and the next day be gone?
Cesar had completely captured my heart, the heart of many others who knew him, and the hearts of people around the nation who saw him on this web site. Donations were made, cards were received, and many emails offering hope and prayers were received for this precious little boy. But it was not enough.
In the wee hours of the morning as I sat holding Cesar’s soft, warm, now lifeless body I prayed that in my feeble way I done all that could be done, I prayed that I gave him the best, I prayed that he knew just how much I truly loved him.
As the tears slipped from my cheeks to moisten his coat, I did not wipe them away. They will go with him to a happier place where he can remain a puppy forever. As I and many others believe, Cesar and I will meet up again some day. I will hold on to his memory and that when my day comes Cesar will be at the front of the pack of those that I have helped, his “rottie wiggle butt” going just 
as strong as it had in life.
I gave much of my heart, my time, and my life to adorable little Cesar, but he gave me so much more in return. Only those that love their companion pets the way I do, only those who rescue hundreds every year to give them a second chance in this world will understand the bond that Cesar and I held.
I’ve never done this before but Cesar will be cremated and returned to me, a picture attached, and his ashes placed upon my shelf. A daily reminder for me as to why I do what I do; rescue societies cast a ways, offer them hope of a better tomorrow, and be sure they don’t go alone when things don’t work out quite the right way.
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For now Cesar, know that you will be in my heart always. Godspeed Cesar until we meet again.
Love, Mommy