Flying Neptune

It is with a heavy heart GEM bids this fine champion farewell, he has passed beyond our place here on earth and waits with the angels at the bridge. Neptune we tried . . . it was just not ment to be.

Flying neptune left us on May 2nd after complications from surgery. When he first arrived he was monitored carefully, and after 2 weeks he went in for pre-surgical bloodwork. All looked well and the neuter surgery was performed. Neptune was a crypt orchid which means he had one testicle that had not descended from his abdomen, and that testicle was found to be surrounded with a massive tumor. The vet removed it, and repaired a hernia as well as removing the other testicle which appeared to be normal.

The tumor was sent in for a biopsy and it was determined to be a slow growing form of cancer. Neptune's prognosis was looking better, the vets thought he could live another 5 - 7 years.

2 weeks later he ruptured, the inside of his body had absorbed the sutures that were placed there and had begun to abcess. Neptune was taken to the emergency vet clinic where they repaired his abdomen, and double sutured it to make sure he had enough time to heal before the sutures absorbed. This lasted 4 days, and his abdomen opened up again at the same site, the sutures were again absorbed and there was nothing the vets could do to save his life. We don't know why his body absorbed the suture material, that point is still under discussion.

Neptune retired from a very prestigious racing career where he earned many titles including All American.  Neptune went on to become a very proficient stud dog producing over 500 offspring, many of which have went on to race very well in their own right.

He retired at the age of 7 1/2 to live out his life as a pet and was lost due to an unknown complication from surgery. We mourn his loss, but we know that even though he never found a home to call his very own, he found love and that is enough.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his foster family who are suffering with the loss of this amazing boy who graced their home for just 5 days shy of a month before departing for the bridge. Neptune will be remembered by not only them but all of the GEM volunteers who were blessed with the opportunity to meet a true champion racer, and champion friend. His accomplishments while racing and standing stud are just a small part of who Neptune was, he was above all a precious gift of life, love and spirit . . . Peace Neptune, until we meet again.