Community Cares - RacingWest


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Nov 21, 2008

Brandemeyers Chocolate Chip - "Choco"

Our "Choco" started out with a minor cough last Saturday night and same turned into a horrific cough and ultimate gasping action Sunday mid day and worsened Sunday night about midnight. We took him to the emergency Vet (Dr. Locke's office, the Vet that took care of our other Labradors, Roxy and Redford for 15 and 16 years, respectively) and discovered he had "kennel cough."

They gave him an injection and said he would sleep through the night until morning and be just fine. The cough and gasping action from an enormous amount of fluids got much worse and of course he never slept. At one time Monday morning around 4:30 am, Choco turned several fast spins and collapsed. He was not breathing and his heart had stopped. We were successful in performing CPR, resuscitating him and took him to the Vet where he did the same thing, yet was revived again. This happened several more times.

Since early Sunday morning he has been on oxygen, iv's and has a trachea tube and catheter. The x-rays show that his wind pipe is almost completely closed going into his lungs due to severe trauma from the coughing / gasping and excessive fluids. Monday mid day, they completed an ultra sound and discovered the trauma to the wind pipe is much worse than they expected. Choco was heavily sedated as he fought this problem as hard as one could fight. Late Monday afternoon and early evening, after repeated heart failures and after repeated breathing failures, he finally passed.

Choco was a most important part of our lives. We have waited for 9 years for a companion like Choco after losing Roxy and Redford. He was beautiful and very smart and could sit, lay, stay, fetch and come, all on one word commands at 11 weeks. Choco was already retrieving from our pond and waterfall, a true Labrador retriever. We will miss him badly...we loved him deeply.

Choco will be cremated and placed to rest next to Roxy and Redford.

Jay and Carol Rutherford

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Kim
I just was on racing west looking at a friend that has passed and found Choco.Your story brought tears to my eyes as I am the owner of three labs. They are not pets they are part of the family. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Peter-John and Anne
Peter-John and I are sending our prayers your way along with condolences....Choco was blessed to have been loved....
CARVER MOTORSPORTS
We are very sorry to here about the loss of your dog choco. We have had a lot of good friends to pass. Dogs are loving, and your best friend. The Carver Family. N.C.
kelly
Jay & Carol: I'm so sorry to hear about Choco! I love my 2 dogs more then anything in this entire would and I can only imagine the grief you are feeling. My thoughts are with you. If you need anything feel free to contact me anytime! Kelly (#40 speed truck)
Ron Hayes,Ron Hayes Racing.
People think that an animal is just that.But they are just as much a family member as anyone.When you lose one its not easy,everyone here at our race team sends there prayers.
gtpowell
Jay and Carol, Sorry for your loss. Having had several dogs the past, I can appreciate the pain you are experiencing. God Bless and may Choco rest in peace. Gary, Tonya and Evin
Derrick Shannon
Jay and Carol, I have two labs, one a black female and the other a chocolate male. They both are my best friends and the kids I never had. I can feel your loss and understand the profound sadness at the loss of such a warm and loving pet.
David Pease
Dear Jay and Carol, I am shocked and saddened to hear of your loss...I was introduced to Choco just a day or two before you left for Indy and didn't see indication of any health issues, he seemed to be in good health and happily bounded around the lawn. He was a beautiful, intelligent, loving friend and my heart goes out to you.
NATHAN KIRCHER
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We had a similar thing happen to us, and I know the pain you are experiencing. May the Lord answer all your prayers, and be with you during these trying times.
Jeff Thielscher
I am sorry to hear about the loss of Choco. I can understand the loss as I Love my dogs very much and had a few pass dramatically over the years. Choco was a lucky dog to have such loving and caring owners.
Team Go Fast - Matt & Kelly Daly, Jake, Scotty, Chris, Walter, & JD
We are all very sorry for your loss. As you may know all of us at Team Go Fast has at least one dog of our own that we care about deeply. We appreciate your loss and our thoughts are with you.
Jay Rutherford
Janet - I sent a note to you only to let you know what had happened to Choco that started while I was in Indianapolis. I had no idea you would place him on the opening page of Racing West. The breeders in Laguna Beach have already called me to let me know they saw Choco on your web site. Thank you so much for your care and concern and thank you to all that have offered condolence for the loss of our Choco.
Dave, Connie & Andrew Lewis
Jay and Carol......we are deeply saddened by your loss. Only a pet lover can understand the special bond and deep love that you and Choco shared. May your hearts heal quickly.
Paul Yeaton
Jay and Carol, our sympathies go out to you. My wife and I are dog/cat lovers (currently have 4 dogs/2 cats) know firsthand what you are going through. It is not often that you get lucky enough to have a companion like Choco, much less more than one. We have been blessed with many and we are sure you will be blessed with another when the time is right. Paul & Pam Yeaton (and Tucker,Maitlyn, Chance, Dinky, Butterschotch & Einstein)
janet
Jay and Carol: I am so sorry for your loss. I know not everyone understands the bond a person and animal can have, but those of us that do are aching with you reading your story. You don’t have to share your heart with a pet for very long before they own it. I am sure when Choco left he took a piece of your heart with him. He was lucky he had people that cared so much in his short little life.