My beloved dog is on borrowed time

[carolyorkie2010]

Hi everyone - been back to the vets this a.m. with Poppy; she's 14. It's not looking good for her; she has been on epilepsy meds for 10 years and it's looking like her liver has been badly damaged by them. She had blood tests a couple of weeks ago, which confirmed liver damage and tomorrow she is having more blood tests to see how much of her liver is functioning. If it is too bad, then I will be losing her next week. I'm devastated. I'm looking at her lovely little face and knowing what's coming. I'm already in tears. Ironically a new canine epilepsy drug has just been made available, which doesnt damage the liver, but its too late for dogs such as Poppy. How do I put a brave face on and not let her see how sad I am? I have 2 other dogs, but every dog is an individual with their own little personalities and traits.

[****merlin*****]

gosh i'm a bit rubbish with this sort of thing

dogs know (i think) when their time is near

she will have peace from all that has ailed her

and will know how much you love her as you do do the last act of kindness you can, for her, 

enjoy all the cuddles you can, and i hope the vee-ee-tee has more positive news than you are thinking

[bitsnknots]

(((((Carol)))) I know the feeling well even though it is over 30 years since we lost our beloved dog.  We still miss him a lot and talk about him often so I know exactly how you feel.  The thing is with pets, they become part of the family.

My thoughts are with you at the moment and for what is to come.

[wickedywitchwitch]

I'm flying out the door in a minute so no time to say anything right now, but really wanted to send you a hug.

Wickedy x

[carolyorkie2010]

Thank you, Wickedy, I really need one and its very kind of you. xxxx

[rainydaywoman11]

Dear Carol, doesn't matter how many different 'faces' you put  on for her, she'll know, and love you none the less for it.

If you are doing the right thing for her she'll know that too.  It is so hard to deal with and I can only say you'll have all those happy times to remember.

It's been almost 4 years since my Zoe passed away, even now, if I'm having a bad day or am in a lot of pain, she is the one I long for - my wee daft dog - and she still brings me comfort.

Maybe your vet will say otherwise and you still have some time together

[captainbovine]

my sentiments exactly Rainy.....they know when it's time, and they know the love you've had for them.

[rose2008-2008]

im sorry carol. Its terrible and a very sad time. You have given Poppy the best life and a lot of LOVE. You have a lot of lovely memories ( ohh lord im tearing uppp). . Animals are such a wonderful gift in life and we have so much pleasure together and fun. REMEMBER these things Carol. Poppy loves you very much that much i am sure of . Lots of HUGS Carolxxxxxxxxxx

[carolyorkie2010]

This is lovely little Poppy a few weeks ago on her 14th birthday xxxxxx

[myraandjim]

so very sorry to hear your news, I went through this just a few weeks ago and it is so hard. Just remember that ending a pets suffering is the very last act of love you can do for her and she will know that. You will find that you are so busy loving and comforting her during the last moments that you probably won't break down until she can no longer see you doing so. Also please remember that the good loving pet owners end the suffering for their animal when the time comes, only the bad owners don't do so, be proud that you love her enough to let her go, then just cry for as long as you need to and remember her with love. I found that it helped to talk about Skye to anyone and everyone that would listen (I still do) so come on here and tell us every little detail of her wonderful life with you. Big hugs to you

[wizilizi]

It's tough going, isn't it?  I feel for you - we lost our little chap on Monday night

He had been with us through thick & thin - a busy boy in a busy household for 16 antic packed years

He did everything a dog could get up to - ate a cocacola can, ate a whole brie & laughed when he chucked it back within seconds  , chased a neighbours chickens, chased a friends cat up a tree & she wouldn't come down for 2 days spent a night locked up in the Police Station, spent a morning with railway staff having tea & jam sandwiches after being picked up by the driver of the first train of the day  & more 

We didn't ALLOW him to go out - he was an escape artiste of the first order

And butter wouldn't melt 

I feel for you ((((big hugs))))

[fishpieface]

Ah Carolyorkie, so many of us here know what you're feeling right now, but it's true, letting him go

when you both know the time has come is the ultimate act of kindness you can give him.  It's so

hard to think how you will carry on with the strong bond between you seeming to be broken

forever.  But the truth is a bond so strong can't be broken, you will find that your grief gradually

turns to lovely memories and you will know that he is at peace.

I've been through it with my Paws Cat who lived to be 21.  I was devastated but I can now look

back and remember him with love and pleasure, yes I still miss him, but the acuteness has

gone.

I hope your vet can bring better news than you are anticipating, but remember we are all here

for you whatever happens.

Big Hugs,

Fishy

[carolyorkie2010]

Oh you lovely people on here are so kind; my eyes fill up just reading your replies, and thank you everyone who is sharing this with me. I've just dropped Poppy at the vets for the blood tests; then they feed her and do some more blood tests to see how the Liver is functioning. Poor little dog was scared when I left her. Hope to get her back early this afternoon. I will get the results next week. I wish the OH could show some compassion, she's his dog as well! He can snore through anything that one.

Will keep you all informed; hate to think this weekened could be her last. It has been suggested that Milk Thistle is good for the Liver; I've nothing to lose by trying it and maybe something to gain?

[merc1_clocks]

Carol darlin...it's all been said, but you are very much in my thoughts ((((( HUGS )))))

[the-ginger-ninja]

We went through similar a few months back with my cat, she arrived at 8 weeks - too early to leave mum and I didn't think she would make it through the first night. As a kitten she would sleep on my chest at night and during the evening her place was on the back of my chair.

She lived to 18, but the last few days she wobbled over a lot and was weeing where she was. We gave her one last weekend of being spoilt, hand fed **bleep** bits and I had the sad job of taking her on her final visit to the vets. She is now peacefull in one of her favourite spots in the garden. 

Know how hard this has to be for you so sending cyber  ((hugs))

[margaret*e]

Thinking of you, and thanks for your kind message on RT and thinking of me when you must be so upset about your own pet.

[geranne28]

Carol, I feel for you and understand.

But please don't start your grieving process before you have to.  'Putting a brave face on' means you are already mourning the loss of Poppy. 

Well..... good news!  You still have your lovely dog looking at you, smiling at you, loving you.

There is enough time for grief afterwards, but today and hopefully tomorrow - and even perhaps next week -  belongs  to you and Poppy.  Enjoy it and enjoy each other.  Try not to detract from your final days together by worrying how you are going to manage without her. 

I send you a huge hug though.  Stay strong - for Poppy.

[carolyorkie2010]

Thank you so much, Geranne; I know you are right and thank you for your kind words. I'm hoping to get the bloodtest results today, and have got Poppy on the Milk Thistle so here's hoping. xx

[carolyorkie2010]

Got Poppy's blood test results back and her Liver IS failing, so all we can do is support it now. She needs 2 teeth out, but it is very risky. Will try my best to stay optimistic and help her and make what time she has left as enjoyable as possible. Thank you everyone for your kind words, I know I can count on you when the sad time comes, hopefully not yet for a while, as long as it is in HER best interests xx

[shonafp]

I'd be telling my vet that she doesn't need the teeth out, what benefit is it going to be to her - between the stress of visiting the vet again and the high risk under anaesthetic    I'd just be hoping the milk thistle prolongs her borrowed time