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In the
summer of 2002, my three dogs, Niki, Tasha, and Casey, had their first
veterinary appointment in their new home state. Always being a diligent and
conscientious guardian and having learned from living in the South, knowing it
was heartworm season, my dogs were taken in for a checkup in order to be placed
on their customary heartworm preventative.
At this point in my life, I felt vets were the next closest being to God. If a product was offered at a vet
clinic, it must be safe. Was I ever in for an education! That day the vet
pronounced my dogs healthy, and I was grateful for that. My dogs are my life,
my babies. But that day, I left the clinic feeling something "evil"
had just happened and that I would never return.
Unfortunately, my gut feelings proved to be correct when, two months later, Tasha collapsed on the
kitchen floor. An emergency vet diagnosed immune mediated hemolytic anemia.
After heroic attempts to make her well, Tasha died six days later. She left
behind her companions Niki and Casey.
Less than two months after
Tasha died, late one night Niki collapsed on the living room floor. Before
dawn, Niki, too, was gone. Niki left behind his companion Casey and a devastated,
angry, grief-stricken guardian, me.
At the same time, Casey's
immune system was found not to be normal; but by the grace of God, Casey is
alive today and appears to be healthy, although he remains on medication that
he may possibly be on the rest of his life.
The common denominator of my dogs' illnesses and deaths? In this guardian's "opinion," the vet's
administration of the heartworm injectable known as ProHeart 6.
Because of this most painful
chapter in my life, the struggle I experience on a daily basis, I started to
become educated about so many issues pertaining to the health of our pets and
disturbing trends that have come to my attention. I am finding that the average
layperson just has no clue. I am no expert, but the knowledge I have gained, I
want to share with you.
I couldn't save my dogs'
lives, but maybe I can help save the life of your pet. Hopefully you can in
turn save the lives of others. The creation of this Web site is a tribute to my
dogs Tasha and Niki, to Casey and now Abby, for their unconditional love,
devotion, and companionship and my never-ending love and gratitude for having
each of these wonderful souls in my life.
Tasha, Niki and Casey's Story
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