Dr. Annie,
I cannot say enough good things about your kindness and compassion. You were extremely patient and caring. I have sung your praises to several of my friends who have dogs. We are very grateful to Home Pet Euthanasia and to Dr. Annie for their professional assistance. We loved Nolan deeply. We treasured him for 14 years, and he in turn blessed us with his love and trust and a quirky sense of humor that brought pure joy to our family and friends. He was part of everything we did.
Nolan Ryan Carson - "Once In A Lifetime Dog". Nolan became a part of our family when he was one and a half years old. We found him at the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter, on my husband’s first trip to look to see what they had available. John called me at work and announced he had found our dog. We went back down to the shelter that same evening so I could have a look at him. It was after hours, and the facility was closed, but a worker walked Nolan (named "Shadow" at the time) up to the gate. My first sight of Nolan as he was being led down the paved pathway was that of a very large white furry body with four legs wearing a giant white cone on his head and sporting the spiffiest, fluffiest tail I had ever seen. His tail was so full it formed a complete circle that was suspended like an open umbrella over the back half of his body. So basically, from the side, I saw a large white traffic cone and a white umbrella connected by a large white furry rectangle supported by four furry legs with oversized paws. I thought to myself, "What on earth?" and then I thought, "Good lord, he's ginormous!" But then he reached the gate and I saw his face. He had a bit if an irascible grin on his face and he sort of pranced as he walked, and I fell head over heels in love. There was no question this was our dog. We weren't the only people interested in rescuing him, so John went to the shelter every day for two weeks to visit and walk him while we waited for his medical release and to make sure we would be chosen for the adoption.
We re-named him Nolan Ryan, and he quickly settled into our family life. We hadn't had a dog for 13 years, but from day one it felt natural. He sort of ruled the house actually. He loved taking us for walks (he was so big and strong he pretty much pulled us along wherever he wanted to go as we tried desperately to hang onto his leash). He greeted everyone and anybody who came to the door with his happy grin and welcomed them to come on in and spend some time, which of course meant he expected them to play tug-of-war with him. He liked everyone and never turned anyone away . . . Any and all friends and strangers were welcome. And of course he never missed a meal or a snack. He was shameless in his begging and we just as shamelessly laughed at his antics and gave him anything he wanted. And often what he wanted (about a hundred times a day) was to go in and then out one of the doors to the back yard, or to the balcony overlooking the street. We would dutifully open and close doors after him, and he would look at us with that grin on his face . . . laughing at us really . . . and we
didn't care. It was all just part of the fun of life with Nolan.
We loved Nolan deeply. He really did complete our family identity. When he was diagnosed with cancer of the spleen at age 15 we knew we wouldn't pursue treatment beyond easing his pain. We brought him home from our veterinarian's office and loved and cared for him for a week before it became apparent he had reached the end. We had planned ahead to call Home Pet Euthanasia to help Nolan's passing so that he wouldn't have to endure the trauma of being taken anywhere. Our vet had said, "You'll know when it's time; he'll let you know". When that time came we didn't want to prolong his suffering for even a short time. I just could not bear to see him laying so very still, not even opening his eyes. We made the call and Dr. Annie arrived within thirty minutes. The house felt so terribly quiet and empty as I went down the stairs to let her in. I opened the door and flung myself, sobbing, into her open arms. She was extremely patient and caring throughout the entire process, always explaining and preparing us for the next step, and asking if we were ready before proceeding. Nolan got to die peacefully and quietly in his favorite spot, surrounded by his faithful humans, loving him through his very last breath. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Annie's kindness and compassion. As sad as it was to say good by, we had no doubt we were acting with kindness and doing the right thing for a loved one. We are extremely grateful to Home Pet Euthanasia and to Dr. Annie for their professional assistance.
John & Julie Carson
Mission Viejo
