 |
| FluffySub |
I've had 2 unexpected goodbyes this year, my Dad and my soul dog, Sky: http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/posts/298099/ Now I have a third to face, although I should have seen this one coming.
I have a background in dog rescue and older dogs find me out. They come to me when they are broken and unwanted, expensive or messy, or sometimes just bereaved. It's a standing joke with my rescue friends.
9 months ago I was asked by a charity to do a transport run to move a dog that was abandoned in a council house when the owners moved out. I agreed and asked where she was being moved to; they had no foster home lined up immediately. Inevitably I offered and she ended up staying at mine 'temporarily'.
Over the next few days it became apparent she had a whole host of medical problems (and fleas) all which were left untreated, so I agreed to keep her. No other fool would have had her 
The neighbour put her at 18 to 20 as she could remember the kids growing up with her. Bloody people, how can you just abandon a dog when it gets too messy or expensive? So she settled with me, got the treatment she needed and wheedled her way in to my heart.
We've had a great 9 months. She's won the heart of everyone she's met and cost me a bomb in mops and disinfectant. But she's gone rapidly downhill these last few weeks, so I took her to the vets today. The vet thinks I should let her go. I needed time to get my head round this, despite knowing it was inevitable, so I've brought her home for a last night of love.
It seems so 'wrong' as there's nothing specific. But she can't walk easily, her legs give way, her weight's falling off, she's been pretty incontinent for a long while but gets now covered in wee each night. As the vet said, "How long do you wait till it becomes unkind?". So an appointment has been made for the morning.
I have a heavy heart tonight. She will, however, be stuffed full of her favourite, buttered toast, and thinking all her Christmases have come at once.
I posted about losing an Oldie in 2007 http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/posts/143424/ - in that post lies a quote that is just as relevant today:
"It's something your brain accepts when you adopt a oldie, but nobody lets your heart into the secret".
Safe journey tomorrow, sweet girl.
| 21 Apr 11, 7:29 PM AmberStClare UK(BN), 5 yrs |
I'm so sorry but she was lucky to have had you for a while. topaz x I'm the one your mother warned you about | |
| 21 Apr 11, 7:31 PM SarahSoo UK, 3 yrs |
Only let her go if you truly believe she's ready. If she has some quality of life, then let her live it.
I had to have my cat put down a couple of years ago but it was totally obvious that he was suffering beyond belief and I had no choice but to put him out of his misery.
I wish you all the best and send you lots of hugs. It's a horrible time. Edited for diabolical spelling. Edited 21 Apr 11, 7:32 PM by SarahSoo | |
| 21 Apr 11, 7:33 PM Dark_Cherry UK(B), 2 yrs     |
Big love, gorgeous girl x Fuck labels. Labels suck. I am a filthy, slutty, sadistic princess | |
| 21 Apr 11, 7:36 PM Puddin_Von_Puss UK(WA), 6 yrs  |
I believe dogs and cats live for today, not tomorrow. You've given that little person love and the best ending you could. That's the best respect you could ever offer. Hope you're ok. It's the little things Dude, the little things. | |
| 21 Apr 11, 8:02 PM QuietD UK(WV), 7 yrs |
I so know where your coming from on this, my old adopted lad turns 18 on Sunday, a few weeks ago I thought I'd all but lost him, but he's pulled round and is still happy plodding round the park twice a day. I know deep down this day is coming for me and him, but its the last thing we can do for our pets, once all hope is gone. You know as well as I do its going to hurt, but better our hurting than theirs. Good luck tomorrow I'll be thinking of you both. Life may knock us down, but its how we get up and move forward that's important. | |
| 21 Apr 11, 8:14 PM not_lost_still_lady UK(PE), 22 mths     |
I have been there and done that with cats. Tomorrow she will be in no more pain and will go out with a smile on her chops, thinking of the best nine months a dog ever had xxx ETA gender, sorry
Signature removed to make room for .... Edited 21 Apr 11, 9:13 PM by not_lost_still_lady | |
| 21 Apr 11, 8:36 PM FluffySub UK(NN), 6 yrs    |
That's why I wanted tonight. She was at her worst at the vets today but I can't hide from the weight dropping off her and her infirmity. Every friend I've spoken to about it today has said things like "I was shocked when I saw her Sunday" "I didn't like to say, but...". I need to sleep on it but, right now, I have no doubts it's the right thing. Thanks for your thoughts & memos xxx | |
| 21 Apr 11, 8:44 PM Visualize UK(CV), 5 yrs |
 hugs | |
| 21 Apr 11, 9:50 PM Kinky_Vidushaka UK(SW), 3 yrs |
See yourself as the opposite of a foster owner to a pup. Instead of helping them get a good start in their life you are being a good and loving companion in their autumn years. Letting them know that not all humans are bad to them. There is a fine line between sanity and insanity. I have a foot firmly planted either side of that line | |
| 22 Apr 11, 12:00 AM DrNasty UK(NG), 6 yrs |
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear. From: The Power of the Dog, Kipling http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_dog.htm How sad, I'm so sorry. I hope you can give another dog a good home when the time is right. DS |
