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GL Discussion Group
Pets are awesome - the unconditional love, their crazy antics, the joy they add to your life...but the downside is that they have all too short of a life span.
I've been talking about my Westies since I found Mediadomain over a decade ago. You may have seen their website: Westie Tales. I already lost my middle Westie Summer two years ago to cancer. And now we're struggling with the same with Angel and possibly Oliver as well.
Angel's 14 1/2 now, nearly blind, almost completely deaf, and has developed large mammary tumors that have now ulcerated. Because of her age and other health issues (she had a rare neurological disorder that nearly killed her 4 years ago) we've been treating her with palliative care.
Ollie's 12 and has struggled in recent years with arthritis that hinders his ability to get around much. He can walk, but with a severe limp and is on medications to help ease his discomfort and give his joints more flexibility. Now he's developed an open sore on his behind that may or may not be cancerous and we have to have a blood test and x-rays done to see whether or not he can withstand surgery to have it removed.
It's so tough.
I know most people would say, "Hey, they're just pets. They've lived long lives and now it's time to put them to sleep and end their suffering."
But to us, they're our other kids and we love them dearly! While their quality of life isn't what it was (like any senior person with health issues), they're still going...still eating/drinking...aren't incontinent...can get around.
I just hate seeing them decline. I hate not being to able to help them more. I have to call our vet tonight to see what they can prescribe for Angel to keep a lethal infection at bay and to make her more comfortable.
Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks everyone :)
We took Angel to the vet earlier this week because she was acting strangely when we got home. The vet was very compassionate and reassured us that she wasn't as bad as she seemed. Her vital signs were good, her tumors (although growing large) are well localized and haven't shown signs of metastasizing (yet, knock on wood), and she's eating and drinking normally. He thoroughly examined her masses and said that they don't appear to be causing her pain, just some discomfort. She sleeps well through the nights, but sometimes shifts to get comfortable. He commended us on taking such good care of her and keeping the wound cleansed - he said for her age/condition she seems remarkably well and there was no reason to think about euthanizing her yet.
He prescribed antibiotics and a pain medication (if we felt she would need it at a later date) and said to keep doing what we're doing. He likened it to caring for an elderly relative and said that many people don't want to be bothered once the pet reaches this stage, but that in his professional opinion, she isn't suffering even if her quality of life isn't what it once was.
So please, if you would, continue to keep her and Oliver in your prayers and thoughts. Our family (esp. Angel and Ollie) would appreciate it!
I'm with you, Bauer, and will keep good thoughts going. I've always liked ''watching'' your puppies.
I'm looking at my Boys with a careful eye as well. Tommy was diagnosed with kidney disease about a year ago, and while I watch him and his diet as carefully as I can, he is 14 and it is a degenerative disease ... I was watching him just this morning and my heart was breaking just a little, even though he's doing well right now. It's the downside, but the upside is so much more.
Take good care ... of them, the baby and yourself!
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know how gut-wrenching and heartbreaking it is -- I've been there too. Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for your special doggies.
___
Just a Dog
From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile....because they "just don't understand."
- Anonymous
Having had dogs (and still have one) that are part of the family, I understand "where you are" right now. You don't want to part with them EVER, but every day they are just a little closer to that rainbow bridge.
I remember when my first dog died. He wagged his tail to the end, sitting at my Mom's feet. My second dog - my mom finally took her to the vet because she could hardly walk across the floor - her back legs dragged. We moved all the furniture out from the wall so she could "cross" the room by leaning against walls and then she'd circumvent the room to get to her destination. So when our third dog became "ours" after my Mom died, I was especially attached to Frosty BECAUSE she took such good care of my mother in her last weeks. The dog literally slept in Mom's closet after she passed, just to smell her clothes. But when Frosty had to be carried outside to go, when she was having accidents inside we had to start thinking about her. After all, her appetite was still good. She still enjoyed our attention. It got to be too much for us emotionally to watch her wane, so, I took her to the vet. He asked me if I wanted to stay with her and at first I said "Oh, no, I couldn't do that" -- but I thought about it again and said "She's been by our side her whole life, the least I can do is be with her in death".
Bauer - maybe you've done this already with other pets, but it was the most peaceful way to die! Lord, If someone could give ME a shot when I'm old, feeble and crippled - what I'd give to go that way! I realized I was keeping her alive for ME, yet every day I suffered just watching her struggle. So, she got a shot, she put her head down and she was gone. Seconds. It was not what I thought it would be at all.
When it comes time, it will be awful. They were with you long before your "boys" came into your life. They got you through some tough times. But sometimes, euthanizing your pets is the way to go. You're not evil for doing it. It's a gift.
First of all, anyone who would say they're just pets is mean...pets ARE a part of the family, and it's horrible to have to say goodbye! Anyone who could be so cold as to tell you to just get over it isn't worth your time!
I feel so bad for you right now...how awful! Poor babies. I hope everything goes smoothly for them and they will be ok. And if not, it is peaceful and painless for them. I know how sad you'll feel, so not completely painless, but you know what I mean. :(
This just stinks, Bauer!