(June 7, 2000 - December 22, 2000)

Welcome to Thea's Memorial Page

You can find her story below, but first, please read the beautiful tribute written by Thea's mommy Jasmin, though the heart of her breeder and first human daddy, John Schoenherr.
 

Brothers and Sisters of the Great Dane Nation,

     Again, I call upon you to honor the life of another member of our Clan.
It is with heavy heart that all here stand with honor to the short life of
Thea. Yes, she was but a pup, but a pup who truly knows what love is. She had
a life in which she brought joy to so many. Through my tears I celebrate the
happiness that this young one gave, and the love that she was shown, and gave of so freely.
     I also ask that each and every member of the Great Dane Nation honor her
human Mommy, who truly loved her enough to help her on the Journey to the
fields at the Bridge. Let her human Mommy know that the pain will ease, and
not to dwell on the loss, but celebrate the Life.
     It is especially hard for me to ask this of all of you for my "Peanut",
She was my Baby.

With Love from a Mother's Heart
Jasmin

P.S. Would Tuna, Jake, Gracie, Kira, Beau, Bandit, and all those who have made

the Journey please take care of my Baby until the Day of Reunion comes.

Shomaur Sassy Achiever (a.k.a. Thea) was born into this world early one Summer morning. She was small and frail, weighing in at only 9 oz. But she was a fighter. Her people parents, John and Lisa Schoenherr, knew it would be a struggle. But they also knew that this puppy was worth fighting for. John and Lisa spent many sleepless nights, bottle feeding this little girl to give her the only chance she had. Little by little she improved. By two weeks, she was 2 lbs while her littermates were 4 lbs. By six weeks she was 5 lbs, while her littermates were 15 lbs. Slowly and steadily at HER own rate, she grew. Now, a little over 40 lbs and 6 months old, she is a happy, bouncy, friendly lil pup. She might never grow to "AKC standards", but her heart and soul are bigger than most any dog I've met.

(Click to see below pictures at full size)


3 days old
This is an 8 oz baby bottle! 

Thea in red collar
How small compared to the rest!

ONE WEEK OLD
Next to a 3X5 inch card!

Three weeks old
and on her feet!

5 weeks old
camouflaged!

6 weeks old
such a precious little life

December 13, 2000 - What a bleak day for all of us. Thea was diagnosed today at the    vet with Megaesophagus. I am adding a new page dedicated to learning more about this terrible disorder. There are certain breeds of dogs, including Great Danes predisposed to megaesophagus. Please, read her story below as posted to CyberdaniacsINTL egroups and then visit this this page and educate yourself on the symptoms and ways of early detection -

Posted on 12/13/2000

                            As some of you know Thea went to the vet today for some tests. They did x-rays
                           and a barium swallow test as well as a few others. She has been regurgitating
                           after her meals. They diagnosed her with megaesophagus. Her esophagus is three
                           times larger than it should be. They believe the cause is a congenital birth defect
                           of some sort. There is little to nonerve innervation into the muscles of the
                           esophagus. They are completely flaccid. For those of you who don't know (I know I
                           didn't), the esophagus in a dog runs the length of the neck and then horizontally
                           beneath the spine halfway down the back. Her enlargement begins at the base of
                           the neck and extends to her stomach. Treatment is basically maintainance. I
                           initiated most of these suggestions at home and they encouraged me to continue
                           them: feeding bowl should be elevated as high as possible, kibble should be
                           soaked in water and then blended to pudding consistency, I need to hold her body
                           in an upright position for a half hour after meals, she needs to be fed about 1 cup
                           every 1-2 hours. All of these help gravity do the job that the esophagus should be
                           doing. They told me that there is no surgical procedure to correct this type of
                           megaesophagus because of the nerve involvement (or lack of it).

                           I spent my day with three different veterinary hospitals and on the phone with the
                           University of Penn, hoping someone would give me a different answer... Hoping
                           someone would be willing to do something to help her. The answer was the same
                           with everyone I spoke to... no surgery, only maintainance. Her prognosis is poor.
                           The vets feel that she will live with proper care for another 1-2 years. Death is
                           eventually caused simply by malnutrition. Not from neglect, but from the inability
                           for the food to reach the stomach.

                           The esophagus will continue to worsen over time. They encouraged me to bring
                           her home, love her, care for her, hold her and take lots of pictures. They told me
                           I would know when it was time. I need to have her euthanized when the time
                           comes so she doesn't starve to death. Oh god! I feel so helpless.

                           There is nothing I can do for her but what I am already doing. Nothing that will
                           guarantee a long and happy life for her. This is one of the worst days of my life.
                           I'm sorry I didn't post this sooner today, but I have been unable to see through my
                           tears. Please pray for me and for my girl. She was so happy today... so bouncy
                           and full of life. Please pray that I can keep her happy and healthy for as long as I
                           possibly can. Please pray that this horrible feeling of guilt and helplessness will
                           ease so all of the rest of our days may be happy ones. Thank you all for being
                           there for me. I don't know where I would be without all of you.

                           Big hugs from us,

                           Erin Spangler, Member of CyberdaniacsINTL

                           12/14 Update:

                           Times for tears are over. Just because the vet handed us all a emotional bomb
                           yesterday, someone forgot to tell Thea. Thea is here, she is happy and her usual
                           bouncy self. Thank you all for your wonderful thoughts, prayers and words. They
                           have meant a GREAT DEAL to me and I am sure to John and Lisa as well. I spoke
                           to Lynnie [from DOGLOGIC.com] last night and it was Lynnie and Thea herself that
                           made me "wake-up" today. I can sit around and cry, or I can fight and keep her
                           healthy for as long as I possibly can. Some day, many years from now, I will kiss an
                           old, grey muzzle goodbye. But that is not now, not today. There have been many
                           changes here already and there will be many more. I am switching Thea to
                           Back-to-Basics. It is a more nutrient-dense food than she is eating now. I purchased
                           "Nutri-Cal" to add to her food until we can switch her completely over.

                           I bought a new, larger food processer to prepare her food to the proper
                           consistency, my ancient blender was just not cutting it. She is now eating off a
                           step-stool of sorts. She places her feet on the bottom step and eats off the top. This
                           keeps her entire body vertical while she eats and makes the most of gravity. With
                           fingers and paws crossed, she did not regurgitate AT ALL after her meals today.

                           I will be ordering N-zymes, to help facilitate her body to utilize every ounce of
                           nutrition it possibly can. I am also in touch with a woman who practices
                           homeopathywith her dogs and will be looking into some natural remedies to assist
                           her as well. I know and have spoken to a canine nutritionist. The day might come
                           when kibble no longer helps Thea and then we will be devising our own menu for
                           her. I am in touch with a few people who have had dogs with mega that lived long
                           lives. They will be my new best friends over the next few months.  Thank you again
                           to everyone who has offered help and support during this time.

                           Please keep John, Lisa, Thea and I in your prayers as it will be a long difficult
                           climb. But also remember, this lil girl has spunk! She would have never survived
                           from the beginning without a will to live. She still has that same drive, and John,
                           Lisa and I will make sure that she keeps it. I'm sure that there will be days that I
                           need to lean on you, my online family to keep me strong. But I am certain that we
                           can do this together!!!!!!!

                           Hugs, leans and slobbers from us!

                            Erin, Tiny and THEA!


                            Update: On December 22, 2000, I made one of the hardest decisions I have
                            ever made. I sat and held my baby as she went to the Rainbow Bridge.  Her
                            Megaesophagus had progressed to the point that she was uncomfortable each
                            and every time she ate.  She is now running and playing with all the other much
                            loved fur-babies that have gone on before her. The time has come, not to mourn,
                            but to celebrate her life, her happiness, and her love.