We say goodbye to Beau, Talent Hounds Team Member (@hisnameisbeau), with sadness and disbelief. We wish him well at the Rainbow Bridge, where he is free. We will miss him, but we won’t forget him forever.
Many of you met Aria, a talented and lovely lady, at events in the past five years. From the moment we began the Talent Hounds Project, she was our incredible cameraman and editor until recently when she became too busy with her other career as a top choreographer and dancer in Canada.
Aria adopted Beau from a family that had to leave him at the young age of one due to health reasons. He was the most adorable and happy little boy. When we first met him, he was allergic to milk and had stomach problems. Aria took him quickly to the vet, and put him on the right diet. He improved from there.
He was so friendly with dogs and people, and eager to learn and play. He was an inspiration to me and Kilo the Pug on the training, social, and fitness fronts.
He was a confident and comfortable wearer of jackets and outfits, unlike my boy. Aria and me had a hilarious time dressing up as Easter eggs at the local park.
His first major event, Winter Woofstock, was an absolute success. He made so many friends and was even asked to participate in the fashion show. He was a model who made it all look great and continued to have fun modeling for several brands and Halloween shoots throughout the year.
Aria was on her way to perform in the east when she received the terrible news dog that all parents fear. Beau was at home with Michael when three discs in Beau’s back ruptured without warning. This caused him immense pain and distress, before paralyzing his body. Beau was taken to the vet for evaluation and a crate rest with pain medication. Michael even considered building his own wheelchair. To everyone’s horror he wasn’t eligible for surgery. The vet was unable stabilize and save him. My heart goes out Aria and Michael.
Beau was a man who lived a short but happy life. He was given another chance and found the perfect family. It’s amazing how quickly life can change. We need to take advantage of every moment, just like dogs.
Intervertebral disc Disease (IVDD).
I believe he was suffering from intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). This is a terrible condition in which the cushioning discs between vertebrae of the spine column bulge outwards or herniate into the spinal cord space. The discs press on the spinal cord nerves, causing paralysis, nerve damage and pain. Jessica, my friend, posted about the condition on her website “You Did What With Your Wiener”. Gretel, Gretel’s dachshund, had one disc herniate. She was able to recover after five weeks of crate rest, physiotherapy and other treatments. It is estimated that 25% of dachshunds will get IVDD. This condition can occur at any time and may not be seen immediately. It can occur while getting up and doing everyday activities.
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or a friend? Learn How to Heal.
Aria and me filmed a conversation with Marybeth Haines regarding her book, From Empty To Empowered- Dealing With Sudden Pet Loss. She shared many practical strategies to help you cope from her first book, The Power of Pets – 7 Effective Tools to Heal from Pet Loss. You can read the entire post here.
7 Tips to Help You Recover from Pet Loss
1) Recognize that healing is necessary.
2) Allow Yourself to Heal.
3) Find out What You Feel and Why.
4) Learn How To Empower Yourself To Heal.
5) Get Guidance and a Support System. There is no one that can heal all by themselves.
6) Take Action and Start Your Journey To Healing.
7) Think About the “Gifts” Your Pet Gave to You. In loving memory of Beau, we have tried to think about those who made and watched our tribute video. It is hard to watch, but it makes me smile and reminds me of all the great things.
Here are some ways to help your pet.
• Celebrate the wonderful memories you have with your pet. These wonderful memories should not be forgotten, but they should be remembered. * Make a donation to a rescue organization or charity in honor of your pet. In Beau’s memory, we will make a donation. * Make a small tribute at your house and/or visit the pet’s gravesite. * Plant something to act as a living tribute.
Have you lost a pet? Please share your story with us in the comments.
Beau, Beau’s best friend, will be sadly missed but never forgotten talent hounds.
