In Memory of Sweetpea
- April 6, 2001

For Sweetpea

Deceased 04/06/2001

From Frank and Kathleen

"Sweet Pea came to live with us in August, 1999 at the approximate age of almost three. She was still recovering from a bad case of Demodex and had been treated for it by her foster parents for almost two years following her rescue from a veterinarian whom was given orders to put her to sleep. She was abandoned previously as a pup in the parking lot of a Humane Society parking lot.

"It didn't take long for Sweet Pea to win both of our hearts completely. She had a personality that was more like that of a person, than a dog. She would turn and give you her back if she felt offended about something, and it was up to US to make up before she would respond again. That winter, just as she seemed to be making a full recovery from the Demodex, we received the heartbreaking news that she had developed Squamous cell carcinoma. Somewhat naively, we were determined to try to cure her, and spent the following 15 months or so making countless trips to Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh for various radiation and chemotherapy treatments and surgery.

"Even after her surgery which resulted in the removal of her leg, she still showed spunkiness and her quality of life actually improved for a while. Finally, on April 6th, 2001 following additional surgery, she passed away at home in Kathleen's arms at the all too young age of 4 1/2. We have since adopted another Frenchie Gabby, whom we love very much. But a corner of our hearts still aches for our little fawn friend that we had for 20 months."

Frank & Kathleen Gavlak
Pennsylvania