Good Bye to Ryker
Good Bye to Ryker
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Zurich, June 30 - 2010, to all the dear Friends of
Ryker,
Thank you so much
for all your caring, sweet and warm messages for Ryker. Ryker was no matter in
what age our little Hundebaby and the best Dog we could ever dream of. With his
unconditional love he would lighting up everyone's lives that got to meet him,
even people that were afraid of Dog's.
We got a gift of
almost 2 month extra to be with him after his tragic collapse on May 1st when he
was diagnosed with one of the the most aggressive cancer Hemangiosarcoma in
Liver and spleen.
We were so fortunate
that Ryker was able to celebrate with us on Saturday, my 40th Birthday Party
with so many friends, here in Switzerland in our new Office and the Garden. And
as you can guess, and all rules were not enforced as we knew his days on
earth were very limited now, he got more treats than ever and was such a happy
pal that night!
On Sunday, he woke
up very well and all was fine as usual but in the evening he got very weak in
powers and his gum faded. This was when we rushed him to University
Hospital, where caring Doctor Gutbrod stabilized his blood pressure through
fluid infusion. He was back to normal, but we had to leave him overnight as
they could not determine in Ultra sound and X-Ray where he was loosing blood. We
should have taking him home the as he was so happy and upbeat again! But thought
the Blood transfusion he later on got would help even more.
We had to find out
the next morning (Monday June 28th) that this did not help wither. His Red
Blood Cell Count remained much to low (12). He had no bleedings or he must have
bleeding into the stomach where the blood was invisible. Or the white Blood
Cells fought the Red ones (from the infusion he got 2 month ago during surgery)
or the Tumor was destroying them.
I was driving to
University Animal Hospital to Pick-Up Ryker as they said there is nothing else
to do but spend time with him. It was another gorgeous day I made plans to drive
straight after lakeside so he could cool down his body and see the beautiful
sights of Zurich once more like he loved to in the past:
  But when on the
Car-Radio Zucchero's "My Love" played, while I drove to University Hospital around 4.30pm to pick up Ryker, I knew I
could not do this anymore. I just knew.
At the
Hospital they could not do anything more for him, he broke down with his back
legs so weak in force he was when they brought him to me. I carried him on my
arms to our car like the first nine month of his life up all stairs. His
front paws on my Right arm sitting with his back on my Left, and drove carefully
home. Arriving at home he was so excited that he jumped down from the Bench in
our Minivan but that took almost all his remaining powers. I carried
him to the little park next to our house so he could do his business. But he was
to weak to stand. So I carried him over to our house and to the backyard were
his Apple Tree was that my mom planted, that he adored so much (both mom and the
tree).   After I placed him
to rest on the Ground, my staff member and friend Peter arrived and got
Ryker although laying on the ground to wag his tail. I called Michael in his
office to come home urgently and to bring some fresh Apples along.
 But then was to weak
to even eat a slice of Peter's Apple.
That was the Moment
I knew we had no hope anymore. We called Michael to skip Apple shopping and come
home straight immediately. My worst phone call in my live was then to call my
Vet, Dr. Ruedi Kunzmann (those of you from Switzerland remember him as the calm
and competent voice of the Animal-Doctor on Radio Z on Wednesdays afternoon in
the past). I know Ruedi from my times working at the Radio Station almost 20
years back and he knew Ryker's from the first day we got Ryker 11 1/2 years
ago. Although not custom, Ruedi agreed to come to our home even though he was on
the way to a BBQ with friends.
No Dog Food or the
Chew-Eze Treats Ryker loved so much, would even attract Ryker now anymore. But
as many of you know, too, Ryker loved whipped cream. And he got normally
for his Birthdays, a Low Fat Whipped Cream Treat. And you guessed it right,
Whipped Cream - he was till able to lick of my hand even
now.
I called my Dad
that it is time to get here immediately if he would like to see Ryker one
more time And It seemed to me taking for ever but Michael finally
arrived home, once more Ryker was hardly able to move but that tail was wagging
like crazy when he saw Michael.
Michael was able to pet, caress and hold Ryker in his arms for a long time until my Dad arrived, but before he got another finger full of whipped cream, this time from Michael. And even now Ryker recognized my Dad from far away and was wagging a lat time his tail to welcome him. Then was it time for us just to be all with Ryker and let him feel that he is surrounded by his Family: Michael, Peter, my Dad and myself.
Dr. Ruedi Kunzmann arrived and checked Ryker's Condition a last time again as I asked him we did not want to do anything if there is any chance left. Ruedi, confirmed what we already knew. Rykers gums were totally pale not to say white and he could hardly move his head anymore. He was constantly trying not to fall a sleep as if he knew he might not wake up anymore. He wanted to be with us. He pushed his Paw against my leg but with almost no force anymore, most of you know how he always loved pushing his leg against someone that pets him. 
Dr. Ruedi had no choice than to confirmed what we knew and what would be the logical conclusion in the best interest for Ryker. 
We don't have any pictures of what happened then. We rearranged Ryker to lie partly on Michael and myself, kissed him on his nose and looked into his eyes, one he already closed as he was so tired. He felt both of us holding him tight. To the surprise of Doctor Ruedi and ourselves the medication worked within seconds. Ryker was home and went home from home. Just as the church bell stroke 7'o clock I posted his home going on Facebook. Our church bell always ring in Dinnertime at 7pm. And it was Rykers Dinnertime. Even in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Switzerland he was on vacation would he jump up at 7pm looking at us for his Dinner. This Dinner I knew he would have with my Mom that loved him dearly. I'm sure he is playing with Jake from Fort Lauderdale and his Girlfriend Joy that was the only dog ever allowed to rest on his "cloud bed". Ryker is with my Mom now. Thank you Ryker for showing us how beautiful life can be, you will always be in our hearts. Andy |