GoodbyeTribute to saluki Altaya Sandpiper, the gorgeous Pip.

[msm2655]

K9TMD forwarded this on to me - so sorry to see your loss. I lost my beloved TM last year and still miss him to this day. Let me pass this on to you - celebrate that you were privilaged to share part of his life not mourn his passing. Hard to do but it does help to remember the great times. Perfect song for the pictures.

Morgan

[K9TMD]

Lovely dog and equally lovely tribute, RIP Pip

[Arjensmom]

So sorry for your loss. He was beautiful. I hope all your wonderful memories carry you through your sorrow. My thoughts and prayers to you.

[CCCOwen]

@Arjensmom

Thank you for your kindness. I know you know how we feel, and hope you are getting over your own losses.

[pointernutz]

so sorry to hear you lost your beautiful boy far to young, i remember seeing you at agility training (i have the spotty pointer) he was a stunning looking lad. hugs .

[pointernutz]

So sorry to see that you have lost your lovely boy, I can remember you from agility training, although i didn't train with you, it was a delight to turn up to training early seeing pip work. (I own the spotty pointer) Taken far to early. hugs.

[CCCOwen]

@pointernutz Thank you for your kind words about Pip. Hope you are enjoying good times with the spotty pointer. John is hoping to resume agility training with Coco our other saluki if he ever gets fit enough again.

[CCCOwen]

Thank you. We miss him so much, as does Coco who has been quite unwell himself since 2 weeks after Pip died - so the visits to the vets continue....

We keep hoping this nightmare will soon be over.

[VivienneCBrett]

i was very sorry to hear about Pip, i used to really enjoy watching your exploits together on the Pip and Coco website, i have never seen a saluki do agility before. He was a beautiful boy and was obviously extremelly well loved and will never be forgotten. I hope Coco is coping with his pal not being around :(

[juliacball]

He looks so like my Saluki. You must be heartbroken. I am so sorry.

[stien70]

Never expected to receive this sad, sad news when I saw you made a new video of your lovely Pip. I'm very sorry for your loss :-(

[CCCOwen]

Thank you. We are still in shock, can't believe he's gone.

[CCCOwen]

AML is very rare in dogs. Vets only see one case in 5 years according to our vets. It took several experts (and £4000) to get a diagnosis. We were told it is not genetic and there is no obvious environmental cause. Just sheer tragic bad luck.

In the end Pip walked like our very old rescue Rosa who had a serious heart condition. He was very weak, but ate liver and chicken in vast quantities served on a room service basis.

Dogs can be lethargic for many reasons - doesn't always mean AML.

[CCCOwen]

Pip was a lovely boy, with a very nice temperament as well as being the bravest dog we've ever known. He was very active and loved running for the sheer joy of it.

In December he stopped running. Vets thought he had an infection/pulled muscle. Blood tests taken in Jan showed a very high white blood cell count. Anaemia was considered. Eventually we took bone marrow biopsies to Cambridge University oncologist who diagnosed AML and gave him just days to live. He lived for a fortnight.

[PhilipLismore]

Oh dear. That's a shame. He was a nice looking hound.

Can I ask, what were the symptoms that alerted you to the condition and was it environmental or genetic?

[ChillyAndClover]

How unfortunate it is that Pip had to leave this earth at such a young age. It's obvious that you loved him and that he was quite an amazing dog.