We recently were able to get our web site up and running thanks to Deckard & Company. Brian was truly amazing to work with. His creativity and professionalism were just incredible. He told us the importance of utilizing the blog portion of the web site to let our customers know what was happening in the ” A bark above dog bakery” world.
This is our first post and hopefully many more to come. In saying that I never would have imagined that our first post would be having to share the devastating news that On May 22nd of 2024 that we had to come to the decision to say our final goodbyes to our most beloved and cherished Old English Bulldogge. We had the awesome pleasure of being Reese’s parents for 10 years. Only a couple of weeks prior everything seemed great, Then she started not acting like herself. We knew something wasn’t quite right but was not overly alarmed. We called our most trusted Veterinarian Dr. Laura Estlinger to come and see Reese and give her a checkup. Dr. Laura came right away and thoroughly gave her a full exam at our home. The decision was to do chest x-rays and see what was going on. After about an hour Dr. Laura came in to give us her findings. She stated that Reese either has an enlarged heart or that there is a mass at the back of her heart. We were given medication to administer to try and get rid of the fluid that Reese was retaining. Dr. Laura was going to send the film to her radiologist to be read and that we would have the results in a few days.
On Monday May 20th we received a call from Dr. Laura that Reese had a cancerous mass attached to her heart and that she would not have long to live. The next day or so we were in complete disbelief that this was happening and that we knew at some point that we were going to have to say goodbye to Reese. On Wednesday morning around 8am my husband called on his way home from work to see how Reese did during the night, I had to give him the news that she did not sleep well and that she wouldn’t even eat ( Dr. Laura warned us when Reese would no longer eat, that the time is near). I asked my husband what we should do, and he stated that ” you know what we have to do. We have to call Dr. Laura.”
Dr. Laura said that she was available at around 2:30 and that she would come to our home. When she arrived, we had Reese on her favorite place on the couch in the living room. We placed a blanket underneath where Reese was sitting. Dr. Laura administered the first shot which was local sedation and given over 5 minutes to take full effect. This was the first time in over a day that Reese could somewhat relax and was able to lie down. The next and final shot was given and within 45 seconds our baby was no longer with us. Dr. Laura and her husband went outside to give us time to say goodbye and have our final moments with Reese. This is one of the most difficult decisions that we have ever had to do. We were not ready to say goodbye to Reese, but we had already come to the agreement that we would not be selfish and let her suffer.
To say that we were devastated would truly be an understatement. Dr. Laura and her husband took Reese into her mobile hospital and were able to get us clay impressions of both front paws prints. Dr. Laura took care of all the arrangements for Reese to be cremated. In less than a week she called to let us know that she would be stopping by to bring us Reese’s ashes. Emotions were running very high, and many tears were shed. As I was a complete wreck my husband held me and said Reese was back home with us.
For those who do not know our story, A bark above dog bakery was started because of Reese. She had very sensitive skin and at times have allergic reactions to some of the treats that we would buy for her. My husband one day said why don’t you try and make her some all natural and healthy treats. He knew my love of cooking and baking in the kitchen. Resse is the face of our company’s logo. She taste tested every treat and gave her approval on every one of them. I started this company out of the love and joy Reese has brought into our lives. We have been blessed to share our treats with so many people in the community, especially at the Bradenton farmer’s market.
Losing Reese has made us a little more aware of how precious life truly is. We are taking it day by day and one step at a time. We know in the future we will have another Olde English bulldogge, But there will never be another Reese and that she will forever hold a very special place in our hearts!
Diana