Dear Ruby

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our own: Ruby. She died on Monday, February 16th, 2016. She would have been 3 years old in July.

Ruby was adopted in July of 2014 by Krista and Nigel. Like her sister before her, Smurfette, Ruby was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. A heart condition which can affect large breed dogs. Diagnosed in June 2015, Ruby received immediate medical intervention. She initially began furosemide to ward off fluid build up on her lungs. However this medication was dropped once she began a daily routine of Vetmedin and Benazepril. These medications took immediate effect.

Ruby lived a completely normal life. She was happy, energetic and took joy in just being. She loved to run, snuggle with her mom and played with her siblings Zeus, Pitou and Blue. She did so well on her meds, Krista and Nigel began to wonder whether her heart condition may have been a misdiagnosis. But every once in a while when they would check her heart rate they found she would periodically experience a very rapid heart beat. This was simply a reminder that her condition had not abated.

On the Monday, Ruby leapt off the couch, just like any other day, to go outside for her morning pee. Her and her brother Zeus ran out the kitchen door, jumped off the back deck and ran to the tree line (the one you see in the background of this image) and to the fence where they made a hard left turn to run through the woods.

As she was running, Ruby suddenly collapsed. Krista and Nigel ran to her side, picked her up and brought her in to the kitchen and laid her on the mat by the back door. Her heart had stopped. There was no pulse. She'd had a massive heart attack. She was likely dead before she hit the ground.

Ruby was cremated the next day at a service for companion animals at Gateway Pet Memorial in Guelph, Ontario. Her ashes placed in an engraved cedar box to be brought home so she can remain with her family forever.

She was a wonderfully sweet, joyful soul who loved everyone whether they were human or non-human. She was rescued from a backyard breeder by GDA and adopted by Krista and Nigel. While she died prematurely and before her 3rd birthday, the time that she had with Krista, Nigel, Pitou, Smurfette, Zeus, Blue, Honey, Spice, Chip and Dale was a free and happy life where she was loved dearly. She deserved it.

We will miss you sweet girl!