Beau
Ogg’s Chocolate Beaujolais
July 8, 1989 – August 15, 2005
Our little soldier became an angel Monday evening, August 15, 2005. Beaujolais (affectionately known as Beau) entered into our lives as “my little brown bear”. He had an extremely large overbite and would make a noise that resembled the Nestle’s Chocolate commercial dog and soon became know as “Farfel”. Beau was also known for his “grumpy” growl when you surprised him but he was just confirming his presence! Everyone whose lives he touched loved Beau. He loved to play with his toys and antagonized his canine brother Chardy. He was truly an amazing dog and a great little buddy for over seventeen years!
Beau fought many obstacles in his life but always overcame them. He began having seizures around the age of 7 years old which later on became Grand mal seizures. In August of 1998, Beau became very ill and was diagnosed with AIHA (Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia) on August 17th. He was hospitalized at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine for one week in ICU and was administered several treatments of a new canine blood substitute called “Oxyglobin” to stabilize him supplying oxygen to his bloodstream. Beau was also on oxygen, prednisone, azathioprine, heparin and carafate. He developed a pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clots in his lungs) but with the help of heparin he fought through it. Beau was released from the hospital with a regimen of medications and careful watch—he was no way out of the woods at this point. He gradually got better as he was weaned down from his medications.
In October 1998, Beau appeared in a BBC Broadcast of “Tomorrow’s World” which was aired on British television introducing American’s blood substitute, Oxyglobin. Then on November 27, 1999 Beau relapsed and was diagnosed with ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). Again, Beau was administered high doses of prednisone.
On February 24, 1999, Beau experienced an injury to his left rear leg from a leap off the bed. He had ruptured his cranial cruciate ligament and was restricted to minimal activity for 4 months (almost impossible) — no surgery was necessary.
In June 2000 Beau once again jumped off the bed and this time rupturing his right rear cranial cruciate ligament. He was again restricted to minimal activity for another 4 months.
In the last year, Beau lost much of his sight and hearing but he continued to play as much as he could and he still loved to nuzzle up with us and get his treats.
Beau was a little fighter and did whatever he had to overcome the many obstacles that were in his way. All this time he was the most loving and adoring little guy we have ever had. Beau loved life and lived each day to the fullest—barking at his new canine brother Teague, having his meals and treats (especially carrots), playing outdoors, and giving Jim and I his unconditional love.
We will miss you little guy! You have touched so many lives through the years—we will never forget you and will always love you and hold you deep in our hearts forever.
Go now Beau…. walk on, walk on…
Love Dad, Mom, and Teague
A very special and heart-felt thanks to Dr. Cynthia Schaeffer and the staff at Apple County Animal Hospital (they initially diagnosed Beau’s illness and referred us to Tufts), Dr. Robert Murtaugh (one of the leading investigators of Oxyglobin at Tufts and who first treated Beau), Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski (took over Beau’s care from the beginning stages and followed through with his continued care), the staff at Tufts who cared for him during his stay in ICU, and Dr. Stuart Bleck and his staff at Friends Animal Hospital. Thank you all for your patience, understanding and wonderful care of Beau during his lifetime. Without you he would not have made it to the age of 17.
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