In Memory of Phoenix

Phoenix March 15, 1994 - April 2, 2007

Phoenix was most definitely not a French Bulldog, but he helped raise, train and foster a number of them over the years. When we lost him on April 2nd, it was a total shock and very quick. He woke up that Monday morning, went outside, had a drink of water, came into the kitchen and ate his Pet Tab. I started preparing breakfast and when I put his bowl down he didn't want to eat. I noticed he looked a little bloated, but I thought it was my imagination. After breakfast he went out with the two Frenchies and when he came in my daughter, Allison, looked at him and said, "Mom, is Phoenix getting fat?" I just knew it. I touched his abdomen and it was hard as a rock. He started to pace and pant as we rushed to get dressed. We called ahead to the animal hospital and a tech was waiting for us. He picked up this 85lb. Doberman as if he were a Chihuahua and rushed him back to x-ray. By the time they put us in an examining room they already knew he had GDV (bloat). They asked if I wanted to try surgery, but it's a difficult surgery and recovery for a young, healthy dog, let alone for a 13 year old Doberman who was diagnosed with lung cancer 22 months ago. He had been feeling great and I was NOT going to have his last days be spent in a hospital hooked up to IVs, etc. (and that's "if" he made it through surgery). They stuck a needle in his abdomen to relieve the air built up in there and he felt better and walked into the room and laid down on a big comforter with us. They had already put in the IV catheter in the back room, so when it was time, we said our good-byes, he laid his muzzle in Allison's hands, rested his head on her lap and left us after 13 wonderful years. Here is a picture I took in our driveway just 3 weeks ago after we returned from his annual trip to get ice cream on his birthday . Ruthie, Jeff, Allison Chiger Winston and Mia, too!