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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 12:02:43
She had a major downturn a few weeks ago and hasn't really rallied. It seems like a steady decline since then. She doesn't appear to be in pain, and she's not particularly unhappy, so there's no quality of life issues. She just seems really disoriented and confused.
It is so sad around the house right now. The seventeen year old with cancer seems to be having a bit of pain although she's such a trooper it's hard to say. The seventeen year old with heart failure is giving me grief over taking her medication and while she seems ok, I know it's just a matter of time.
I think that's why I'm obsessed with getting a puppy, although the timing probably isn't great. A puppy would probably disorient her even more, and confuse the blind deaf seventeen year old.
I *hate* loss.
Posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2007, at 12:14:13
In reply to Our little princess isn't doing well, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 12:02:43
Dinah that's what happened to me lost three one cat and the two dogs in less than a year. And the pup doesn't fill the shoes of my Brandy who I dreamed about night before last. I finally had him on his leash and was following him happily. If this was a life after or before death dream I would have gone. Our babies are too precious to lose. Real people to me. I'm so sorry you know how I feel about issues like this. Love Jan ps wait on the pup I didn't not Chloe but Teddy the toy poodle the bonding wasn't there. My oldest Daughter is going through the same thing. Old dogs, sick cats, sick dogs, so pitiful and sad. I better stop now. Just love them As I know you do. Love Jan
Posted by fayeroe on February 18, 2007, at 13:02:24
In reply to Our little princess isn't doing well, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 12:02:43
> She had a major downturn a few weeks ago and hasn't really rallied. It seems like a steady decline since then. She doesn't appear to be in pain, and she's not particularly unhappy, so there's no quality of life issues. She just seems really disoriented and confused.
>
> It is so sad around the house right now. The seventeen year old with cancer seems to be having a bit of pain although she's such a trooper it's hard to say. The seventeen year old with heart failure is giving me grief over taking her medication and while she seems ok, I know it's just a matter of time.
>
> I think that's why I'm obsessed with getting a puppy, although the timing probably isn't great. A puppy would probably disorient her even more, and confuse the blind deaf seventeen year old.
>
> I *hate* loss.i believe that a "new" puppy would really disorient both your dogs right now. their time is running out and having someone chew on them and try to wrestle, etc. with them wouldn't be very comfortable. making the old ones comfortable and being there to do what needs to be done, at the right time, is the greatest gift that you can give your dogs and yourself.
i'm sorry that you are going through this, but the most important thing is that you're keeping the old ones comfortable and safe.
loss is hard but it can be a time for great growth. and appreciation for the relationships you've been blessed with with your dogs.......pat
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 13:17:18
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well » Dinah, posted by fayeroe on February 18, 2007, at 13:02:24
All three of them really. The two seventeen year olds are sad, but not unexpected at their age. The young one with a progressive terminal brain disease is particularly distressing. And she'd be the one most likely to be upset by a new pup since both of the older ones are pretty sedentary and unlikely to draw attention. She's also the one more likely to still be alive by the time I located a puppy. At least I think so... I'm not that comfortable with my understanding of the disease. Vets can be remarkably noncommittal and the internet literature doesn't seem to describe it well. It's been maybe six months since she was diagnosed?
I've still got two relatively healthy dogs, and I'm really considering going back to obedience with one. Maybe that will satisfy my longing.
Thanks, Pat.
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 13:20:32
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2007, at 12:14:13
It does seem to happen that way doesn't it? Maybe because I tend to get dogs of an age to be companions to each other, but then they get old and sick together.
That sounds like a beautiful dream with Teddy. If I had a dream like that, I wouldn't want to leave it either.
I don't think I'm *expecting* to fall madly in love with another dog. I haven't been *madly* in love since my Harry died. But these are good dogs, and if I invest time in obedience training, that's always good for helping to bond more closely. Who is it who said where you invest yourself that's where your heart will be? Or something like that...
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 13:23:18
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 13:20:32
I meant Brandy of course.
Posted by Poet on February 18, 2007, at 18:32:02
In reply to Our little princess isn't doing well, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 12:02:43
Hi Dinah,
I'm the same way with cats, two years ago when I lost my diabetic boy, I'm surprised I waited three months to get a kitten. My oldest cat tolerated her right away, middle cat, two years later, still has major issues with her. Everytime I tell my husband we need another younger cat to play with her he tells me that middle cat will have a complete meltdown.
I hope little princess feels better. Hugs to all your furry ones and to you.
Poet
Posted by Jo U.K on February 19, 2007, at 1:29:03
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well » Dinah, posted by Poet on February 18, 2007, at 18:32:02
Really feel for you, I lost one of my old guys, a mongrel called Paddy just over a year ago. We got him and his brother before we had children.
The worst thing was that when we moved to the countryside we got two Labrador puppies from a rescue place. We got them cos the old boys were 14 when we moved and they werent interested in running round the fields, but it was ideal for pups. Unfortunately Paddy died because I when I brought the pups back from the vet after their castration, one of them brought a bug home with him - like gastro entoritis. The pup recovered but Paddy caught it and within 3 days he died, despite my taking him to the vet.
It was so horrible.
Posted by Dinah on February 19, 2007, at 22:53:41
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well, posted by Jo U.K on February 19, 2007, at 1:29:03
Oh, that is horrible. Losing them suddenly hurts so much.
Are your Labs keeping each other busy? Do your kids like the dogs? My son is surprisingly (to me) uninterested.
Posted by Dinah on February 19, 2007, at 23:00:06
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well » Dinah, posted by Poet on February 18, 2007, at 18:32:02
We ended up with a brother and sister last time. It was chance, but it worked out very well, except that it's the sister who is sick.
I spent too much time Sunday looking up her condition and getting myself thoroughly depressed.
Which doesn't help anyone. I just need to make all of them as happy as I can for as long as I can.
Posted by Deneb on February 19, 2007, at 23:24:51
In reply to Our little princess isn't doing well, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 12:02:43
((((Dinah)))) So sorry you have to go through this
Deneb*
Posted by Jo U.K on February 20, 2007, at 1:27:50
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well » Jo U.K, posted by Dinah on February 19, 2007, at 22:53:41
Yes our Labs do keep each other busy. Although it seemed a bit much at the time we got them(having two elderley mongrels plus two puppies), it actually worked out for the best as the pups play together and,for the most part, leave the old guys alone. Now that I only have one old boy, he gets all the privileges: he's allowed on the sofa, he sleeps in the living room. Only thing is, when he wants a stroke the Labs push him out of the way.
My daughter loves animals full stop - she has horses and a rabbit. We also have 3 geese. But my son, like yours, is not particularly interested. He loves the dogs - we let him name one of the pups (Neo((my son is in to the Matrix)), the other one is Gunner ((my husband and son support Arsenal Football Club))but he's not as in to them as myself and my daughter. He only comes and walks them if he's told to. My husband is the same.
Maybe some people just dont have that 'pets' gene?
Posted by Dinah on February 20, 2007, at 10:24:45
In reply to Re: Our little princess isn't doing well » Dinah, posted by Deneb on February 19, 2007, at 23:24:51
Thanks Deneb.
I'm trying to find some way to do something good about this, and look into ongoing research efforts into the condition to see if there is anything I can do.
It's just too sad to have a disease that strikes down dogs in their prime, and affects the brain itself. At least her personality hasn't been changed much, not yet anyway.
Posted by Dinah on February 20, 2007, at 10:30:27
In reply to Re: Kids n Dogs.....Dinah, posted by Jo U.K on February 20, 2007, at 1:27:50
I find the same thing with my dogs. Having two around the same age is good for them and us, and having older dogs (but not too elderly) to teach them the ropes is a good thing too.
Isn't that odd about our sons? I can understand my husband who grew up petless. But while my son claims one of the dogs as his own, and brushes her when I remind him to, and likes to feed her treats, that's about it.
Geese! :) My mother has told me stories about her family's geese.
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