The Oct. 6-7 weekend was a sad time for the Armbrusts. Our Shih Tzu, Starr, part of our family for almost 11 years, seemed listless from the moment she awakened Saturday morning. Her “dance of joy” usually performed when her food arrived went undone. Her food and water weren’t touched the entire day.

By early Sunday morning, her breathing labored, Starr lay almost motionless in her living room bed. Her normally shiny brown eyes contained little hope. When Jan returned from church, we called our vet for advice. After hearing Starr’s symptoms, he urged us to bring her immediately for a closer look.