Chocolate
Brownie
In April Chocolate suffered a stroke and was unable to get herself up on her feet again. We were unable to improve her condition with home nursing, so a mercy run to the U.S. was attempted.
During the ride, Chocolate was extremely distressed and was having difficulty breathing. We knew, then, that we couldn't make it to a high-tech U.S. vet facility in time, so we returned to San Carlos. On the advice of the veterinarian who had been treating her, Chocolate ended her short stay on the earth.
The Santuario had come to house Chocolate when her owner died and left her homeless. That was three years ago, when she was around seven. She had been a house dog until her owner died, then she wandered the streets searching for a friendly space. She was kidnapped from her old neighborhood, once, but returned eleven hours later, tired, dirty, lame and very frightened. After that ugly episode, she was taken into the protection of Santuario, where she had the company of other rescued dogs and the love and affection of the Santuario crew.
She was a lovely dog, friendly to everyone and such a lady. We will keep her in our thoughts and remember all the good times.
Brownie McDougal, lovingly know as Brown-Brown, has passed away.
Last September, a sick youngster was trapped in the desert near La Manga. He was so sick, he couldn't be returned to the desert, so he came to live at the Santuario with Malcolm, Maggie, and Chocolate. He was put on meds, and with daily care, seemed to be thriving. He gained a little weight, was able to run and tried to play with the other dogs.
Brownie wanted to be first at his food bowl. He would complain loudly if he had to wait in line. He loved that dinnerbowl and checked it throughout the day to be sure there was always something in it. He eagerly awaited the evening cookie-bone treat, and loved snuggling in his soft bed in his very own spot in the sun.
On New Year's Eve Brownie suffered a massive seizure. He seemed to rally under constant care, but just wasn't himself after that. In the last few months he started to physically deteriorate, and seemed to be in pain. He acquired a new bed from his US Aunt Phullis, one that kept his body suspended off the floor to help alleviate the pain. A new weight-gain diet and new medications were tried, but gradually he just stayed in his bed, even eating his dinner there.
Santuario director, Gwen Bouschor, described the scene this way, "His friends tried to comfort him. I would rub his head and sing his special song to him. He would close his eyes, once more in his mind he was a young, strong pup racing with the pack through the desert."
"I feel that he heard a call in the stillness of the night carried on a warm, soft wind. It was time for him to go, to be free from the earthly pain that bound him here."
"In the evening, when it is cookie bone time, I find myself counting out the treats, and I always have one too many. The other dogs look in his house, but never go in it to sleep. We miss him very much. He would have been two years old in June."
"Where are you going my little one, where are you going my baby my own? Brownie has gone home. It is difficult to lose a friend. It is true what they say, they leave footprints on your heart."