Uncle Fred-7 years with us

[drmom777]

Uncle Fred's heart just stopped. He had spent the day at the vet getting iv antibiotics, still without a diagnosis. He looked a little better and came home eagerly around five, with iv fluids and antibiotics for the night. He would have gone back to the vet for the day again tomorrow. Steve picked him up, and he wagged at him, climbed in the car, walked up and down the street, peeing on his favorite trees, and came in.

I got off the train around six, and Steve drove me home. He was laying on the floor and looked at me, wagged a couple of times, and flopped over on the floor in an apparent coma. He was like that for two hours, weirdly howling to himself with worsening breathing. The howling did not sound like he was in pain, just hound talk. He wasn't arousable. Then, just now, he stopped breathing with all the kids around him, petting him.

None of us can quite imagine life without him and his big personality. This time last week he looked as healthy as could be. There are still labs out from today- maybe tomorrow we'll have some kind of idea of the cause, but maybe not. Today the vet was calling Rutgers University for advice. We just don't know. This dog lived in the house, was always walked on a leash, had no access to anything toxic.

Horribly abused as a pup, and extremely traumatized and timid when we got him, Uncle Fred became a courageous, loyal and loving dog. He was an ambassador for his breed. I know at least 5 people who now own coonhounds because they wanted an Uncle Fred-all are rescues. He had style. I have this video on my iphone from a couple of months ago of him dancing and howling on command for me. He would get into a play bow position, and then rear up in the air to get maximum volume out of the howl. "Aroooooo!!"

We will miss you forever Uncle Fred- you were the best dog I have ever had.

[eddieq]

I'm so sorry to hear that, Dr Mom. Run Free, Uncle Fred. You will be sorely missed.

[Laurelin]

I am so so sorry. He was such an awesome boy and very lucky to have you.

[stardogs]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It's so sweet that he basically waited for you, tho. <3

[houlahoops]

I am so sorry....

[umterps97]

So sorry for your loss. Uncle Fred always sounded like such a great dog.

[JessLough]

So sorry, docmom. He went on his own time, while he was surrounded with love - if only every dog were so lucky. <3

[CaliTerp07]

So sorry for your loss It's obvious that you were exactly what he needed and he was the same for you.

[Beanie]

Oh gosh. My heart sank. I'm so so so sorry. =< It sounds like he went in the best way possible... surrounded by his entire family. I hope the kids are all okay. So many hugs for you guys.

[BostonBanker]

I am so sorry for your loss. He always seemed like such a huge presence from your descriptions of him. How lucky for him that he found his way to your family after such a difficult start in his life, and what a wonderful legacy he's left behind in the equally-changed lives of the rescue hounds adopted because of him.