EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

This page is dedicated to the many dogs who sadly gave their lives to EPI, and to their owners, who struggled with this horrible disease treating their faithful companions, some with success and some with failure but always with hope. Many of these EPI dogs are extraordinary souls who so deeply touched our lives with a love so strong and with such loyalty that they forever changed our lives. May their legacy never be forgotten.

 
Blitzkrieg (Krieg)

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~Zeke Ratliff~
  1-29-2001 to 5-25-2010

Zeke came to us almost 4 years ago, full of life and vibrant energy. He brought along with him a considerable bag of charms to steal our hearts away. It is these charms and the memories we created while he was with us that will give us solace in our grief now that he is roaming the grounds at the Rainbow Bridge. Zeke also came to us with a medical condition that led his previous family to surrender him, and when we were asked to bring Zeke into our family, we promised to shelter him with tenderness, love him while he was with us and care for him in the very best way possible.  Zeke taught us many things and we learned many more while treating his condition, but the most important thing we learned was to enjoy each day to its fullest as we do not know which will be the last. While the grief at times seems unbearable and we still often get a tear in our eye when we are reminded of him, we do not consider the investment of love that we gave him to be in vain. We will forever treasure the memories of Zeke and the happiness that he brought to our family, and one day the grief will pass and we will be able to rejoice in his antics with all those whose life Zeke had such an impact on. Give your dog a hug and do something special with them today, it will be a memory that will help carry you through the grief that will come when God comes calling and your friend passes to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for you there.
Loved by Mart, Cindy & BJ Ratliff and all those who were ever blessed to know him

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Macy
  5/14/1996 -to- 4/15/2010

 
Daisy
December 21, 2001 ~ April 12, 2010

You were a small flower I rescued from a thorny field
I brought you home and planted you in my heart
Here you grew to know what real love was
Though you weren't a perfect flower
Your uniqueness made you special

Your favorite place was on our bed
You liked to lay your head on our pillows
Because you wanted to show us you were like us
You hugged me by rubbing your head into my chest
I hugged you by holding you against me

When it was time to pick mommy up from work you raced
To the end of the yard to see if it was okay to go
Your back leg flying out to the side as you ran
You'd look back at me and if I said okay, you'd scoot under the gate

When I took you for a walk you didn't need a leash
You'd never go far ahead of me
At each curb you'd stop to see if it was okay to go
You needed no training because you loved me

Then your imperfections began to show
And your uniqueness made you even more special
You could no longer hug me, so I hugged you
God wanted to pick his Daisy
I had to let you go
You will always be planted in my heart

~Daisy's Daddy Tony~

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Luma was a treasured family member and along with Buddy our lab-chow mix they made a great team. He will be badly missed by many with whom he always had visits from and of course Buddy who misses him most of all. Pretty soon Buddy will have another friend with who he will spend the rest of his days with and love him like he loved Luma. Luma will forever be in our hearts and minds and all will be pleasant memories and we will meet again in time..... John

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For Kelly, in memory of Boomer,
from your friend Debra, and all the members on the EPI FORUM

My friend I know you’re hurting
with sorrow deep and true;
I wish that there was something
I could do for you.
To simply say “I’m sorry”
just doesn’t seem to be
enough to adequately express
my heartfelt sympathy.

Night has fallen on your heart
and cast a shadow long;
Your world is changed forever
you can’t believe dear Boomer is gone.

You lost a family member
who was loved like all the rest;
A loyal, loving companion
who always gave his best.

But time will heal your broken heart
though it may take awhile;
Sweet memories will replace the loss
you’ll think of Boomer Boy and smile.

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 Roz, you were the sweetest girl with the most gentlest soul.... and you will be forever missed....your brother Bailey, the cat, is so lost without you!

 God Speed my girl ...

SM

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 My girl, Willow. She was my partner, my companion, my friend.  I have had five dogs during and since her time on earth and none have come as close to the love and devotion she gave to me.  I found it easy to manage her EPI with Pancrezyme even during the time she was actively competing in Obedience, and so I feel we were lucky; even when her poops turned gray and with mucus she was still willing to work as hard as ever.  She now lives in the very heart of my heart and I am a better person for it.

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                             KITA   

      07/01/1997 – 11/19/2009

    Vibrant, Strong, Tender and Sweet

            Run free with the wind at your back,

unfold your wings and soar through the heavens.

                         Forever in my heart,
                                      Jan

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Maddox was diagnosed with EPI, SIBO, and IBD in August of 2008.  He fought a hard fight for such a tiny little guy. He had such a loving, caring personality along with the mischievousness that EPI dogs get into in their search of food.  Needless to say, there was never a dull moment in our house.  He was such a Mommy's boy, and my constant companion. He wouldn't even let me brush my teeth by myself.  His favorite things were doing laundry, going to day care and school with his teacher, Debbie, and eating cookies in the lobby of the PetsHotel in PetSmart.  Even in his last days as he sat a week hooked up to an IV in the hospital, he never lost his loving personality and never stopped wagging his tail no matter how weak and critically sick he was.  On Good Friday, God took my precious baby boy home.  He is missed terribly.  He had so much love to give.  Goodbye my little sunshine.  Mommy loves you forever! Amy

                            December 16, 2005 ~ April 10, 2009

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♥ To Jacko, my heart of heart dog.  2/22/00 to 5/12/09 ♥

Jacko was a kind soul that loved all people and loved his pack.  He dealt with EPI all his life and courageously met all of its challenges.  We will miss his sensitive face and loving eyes and sweet kisses. 
Debbie Stanton

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 Cinder was named Cinderella when we first adopted her. We were her fifth home due to her EPI because no one thought she was worth the trouble. She was on her last day at a kill shelter when GDS rescue took her in and we found her. My 5 year old son, Samuel, decided that she had found her "happily ever after" home so we should call her Cinderella. Cinder gave more than she ever asked for. She learned to play again and not fear making mistakes or accidents anymore. She learned to wag her tail and enjoy life. She gave so much joy to our family. She was Samuels best friend ...always ready to go down to the "creepy basement" to get a toy ...and Samuel needed protecting from the "scary things" that might be down there. Each night after bed-time I could always find Cinder sleeping beside Samuel on the floor of his bedroom. We had four short years with Cinder but I would do it all again for the love and joy we had in those years with her.  

 Cinder, you are missed so very much and will forever be in our hearts!  With all our love, your mom Helen. 

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          ~ Our Beautiful Shadow  3/8/05 - 2/4/09 ~        You were the most gentle, intelligent and sweet natured dog that I have ever known.  We miss you so much Shadow and life will never be the same.  May God bless you and take care of you until we are all reunited one day.  You will never, ever be forgotten  ....  With love always, your mom Joanna.... and your brother, Tikaani (Tikaani pictured above with Shadow), who is so lost without you...........

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Weylin,  beloved and treasured companion and friend of Debra C, who is now waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge, was lovingly released on 12-12-2008. He is sorely missed every passing day.... 

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  Sabre, beloved GSD of Deb Zsuccumbed to EPI March 2009. It is with heavy heart that many say "good-bye" to Sabre.... because of his multitude of EPI struggles and shared experiences, so many others were helped. We will always hold a very special place in our hearts for this extra-ordinary gentle soul.  

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My deepest wish was to see my Bandit again one more time, hopefully he'd come to me in a dream to let me know he was o.k.....but that hasn't happened. I asked God to please take care of my baby....and I've left it at that. Until this afternoon- - -something incredible happened.....

Freyja, a beautiful German Shepherd Dog from Louisiana, born October 16, 2007, diagnosed with EPI one year later in October 2008, sadly passed away the end of 2008.  Freyja's owner, Hallie, hopes that this memorial to Freyja will help bring EPI awareness to other GSD owners.  

They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true.

I never wanted memories, I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you a million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place, no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,

I’d walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.

~author unknown~

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 Rumour, a glorious Beardie, owned by Carol Anne R. Rumour is the founder dog of the K9-EPIglobal group established in 2000 to lend support and help to others with EPI dogs.