Thank you very much for the service you provide at an almost unbearable time. Thank you Doctor Forslund and all of your staff for your courage and strength to help our special dogs Rest In Peace.
Quigley spent the rest of his life with a huge smile on his face. He NEVER stopped smiling. He never quit and he always did his best to keep up with the rest of “his pack.” As humans we all could learn from Quigley’s undying spirit, his determination and his acceptance of life as it changed for him. I have never known a dog as joyful as Quigley. Nor will another dog ever spread as much joy as he did with just his presence.
Losing our has been even more difficult then we ever imagined. Quigley came to share our lives when we were searching for our second Aussie. We compete with our Aussies in Agility, herding, obedience and Rally. We were looking for that very special dog with endless enthusiasm. We found just that, when we found Quigley. Quigley was a quick learner and he had endless energy. We used to call him our energizer bunny. He was quirky, whenever anyone coughed he’d lift his head and stare you down as if to ask if you were quite done. If you kept coughing he’d leave the room. It wasn’t long before we’d cough we would follow it with an “I’m sorry Quigs”. We still do. At meal time he would follow me as I carried his bowl to his spot, the whole distance, spinning like a top.
In true Aussie style he could out bark the best. Sadly, just after turning two, Quigley suffered a spinal cord injury while herding ducks. He was paralyzed from just above the hips on down. He was in excruciating pain. My heart was shattered. After consulting with the neurologist we decided we couldn’t watch our energizer bunny in a wheelchair and requested that he be peacefully put down. Fortunately, for us the neurologist asked us to consider giving him 8 weeks for the swelling to go down and then, based on his recovery we could decide how to proceed. Obviously, Quigleys competitive career was over, but not Quigley. He was only just beginning his journey. A journey we would take with him. Thankfully though, Quigley recovered enough coordination to be able to walk and run again, albeit awkwardly. He required special boots too keep his hind feet from dragging, we spent years in PT with underwater treadmills and Rehab. Always working to maintain his strength. We were so grateful to have our always happy boy back.
Four years later Quigley was suddenly unable to walk again An MRI showed cysts on either side of his spinal cord at the level of his initial injury. After all of his hard work we felt we had to give him a chance and off to surgery Quigley went. He handled the surgery like the champ he was. After rehab he was back to being Quigley in no time. He was a fighter. He never gave up, how could we give up on him? Quigley's neurologist warned us that we would be blessed if we had Quigley until 8years old. He was going to suffer with early arthritis among many other difficulties due to his altered gait. We agreed we would never let him suffer.
He was 10 years old (2 years older then expected) when he was peacefully assisted to the rainbow bridge. Despite all of his challenges, he brought his family endless laughs and memories. He will forever hold a very special place in our hearts. We miss our Quigley very much. I still cry and wish he was still with us but can now look at his pictures and smile at the memories. I talk to him daily and remind him I love him.
Tammy Pachura
Rancho Cucamonga
Friends who remember Quigley...
Tracy lit a candle for Quigley on December 5, 2018 - 10:35
Rose lit a candle for Quigley on November 27, 2018 - 06:29
Cris lit a candle for Quigley on November 5, 2018 - 09:41
Rodney May lit a candle for Quigley on November 4, 2018 - 06:25
Dr. Annie lit a candle for Quigley on October 29, 2018 - 09:54
Mom lit a candle for Quigley on October 27, 2018 - 14:38
Mary aka Rocky ... lit a candle for Quigley on August 27, 2018 - 04:07
Rita lit a candle for Quigley on August 26, 2018 - 22:12
Lynda lit a candle for Quigley on August 24, 2018 - 19:15
Marjean lit a candle for Quigley on August 24, 2018 - 17:02
Nancy Tierney lit a candle for Quigley on August 23, 2018 - 22:26
evan misty oliv... lit a candle for Quigley on August 23, 2018 - 20:17
Barbara lit a candle for Quigley on August 23, 2018 - 16:38
Janice Goebel lit a candle for Quigley on August 20, 2018 - 19:14
Kim Harlan lit a candle for Quigley on August 17, 2018 - 19:38
Judie lit a candle for Quigley on August 17, 2018 - 08:53
VICKIE MCNULTY lit a candle for Quigley on August 17, 2018 - 01:06
Barbara Tilben-... lit a candle for Quigley on August 17, 2018 - 00:03
Gail Williams lit a candle for Quigley on August 16, 2018 - 19:24
Lori Mollin lit a candle for Quigley on August 15, 2018 - 18:29
Colleen Crandall lit a candle for Quigley on August 15, 2018 - 11:57
Brenda Hutton lit a candle for Quigley on August 15, 2018 - 08:07
Kathleen Smith lit a candle for Quigley on August 14, 2018 - 22:24
Louisa Tennille lit a candle for Quigley on August 14, 2018 - 21:34
Jamie, Bailey, ... lit a candle for Quigley on August 14, 2018 - 20:54
Tammy lit a candle for Quigley on August 14, 2018 - 18:01
jennifer robinson lit a candle for Quigley on August 13, 2018 - 08:08
Christine Parke... lit a candle for Quigley on August 13, 2018 - 07:21
Dean Reid lit a candle for Quigley on August 13, 2018 - 03:12
Michael Ferrie lit a candle for Quigley on August 12, 2018 - 18:31
Mark lit a candle for Quigley on August 12, 2018 - 17:45
Cris lit a candle for Quigley on August 10, 2018 - 10:08
K.C. lit a candle for Quigley on August 10, 2018 - 10:04
Dr. Annie lit a candle for Quigley on August 10, 2018 - 08:55