08/21/2026
I lost my boy last Friday, 3 years and 9 months old. They believe the Valley Fever fungus (found in desert dirt in CA, AZ, NM and not contagious to other dogs) spread from his spine and inflammation and infection spread to his brain. He was playing that morning with his blue tennis ball and his doggy friends and me, then hours later he could barely stand or walk.
They took him in on a stretcher. Fever 104, couldn't stand on his own, low oxygen, etc. I offered hospitalizing, x-rays to see if it spread to his lungs, MRI again to see if it was his brain... they said he probably wouldn't make it through tests and nothing we can do anyway, the meds didn't succeed. His neurologist has emailed us checking in and changing meds every few days for 2.5mo, she answered on her day off and broke her heart too. They warned me in June, if he starts worsening during treatment we have lost the battle.
Emergency room vets go through a lot. I'm so grateful for their kindness and gentleness during this hell. I hugged him and he left peacefully pet and held by his family, his heart needed to know he could be free from his body that fought so hard and was failing. His will and love for us never faltered.
So brave, goofy, funny, cheerful, hardworking, curious, playful, patient, wonderful was my Oakes. He got me through losing a lot, including my mom. He gave me so much, plus we meet so many friends and great experiences in our sports and travels.
Now he runs with mom, they are both free from pain and illness and waiting for the rest of us 🌈
Rest in Peace my Hero Rose Up 🩷 11/22/2019-8/14/2026
