Update on Molly the black lab

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Following on from my message on Monday about Molly's dad deciding to have her put to sleep......

I took her for a walk yesterday and text her dad last night to say that I could see nothing wrong with Molly except that she was flipping slow.

Anyway after several texts he said he was beginning to have second thoughts so my suggestion to him was that he still takes Molly to the vet tonight but to let the vet check her over. The vet is the professional and would be able to tell whether Molly was in pain or just having occasional twinges with her hip. She may be old and slow (and getting more and more cantankerous) but I seriously don't think she is quite ready to go yet.

So hopefully, my intervention yesterday, may well have saved Molly for the time being. Obviously at nearly 14 we know she is on borrowed time but I don't believe that the time is quite yet.

I have suggested that I take the dogs on separate walks....Molly just down to the local piece of green land and then Poppy on the longer walk across the field.

Hopefully the vet will decide that she is OK to carry on living.

Of course this may well not be the case....BUT I have managed to put doubts in his mind (for the time being).

Will keep you all updated later and yet again I thank you all for your kind words on Monday.

If everybody keeps their fingers crossed we may well be able to give Molly a few more months of life.

If nothing else they had treats and fuss yesterday

Jane 🙂

[carolyorkie2010]

Hi Jane - I do hope Molly can have a bit longer; our pets, especially dogs, seem to let us know  when they have had enough. I have 2 young dogs and Poppy, who is 14 in June; I take the young ones out on their own, becsause they are quick and like to "get on" with their walk and explore things as dogs do; then I take Poppy out and let her decide the length of the walk; usually she is content to just go to the green at the end of the street and then potter round the garden. She has been epileptic since she was 4 and on meds for it; her hearing is going and her eyesight isn't as good; she is also on Metacam for arthritis in her back legs, BUT she is happy; she still plays a bit and is very cantankerous! She knows she is loved to bits and I know she will let me know when the time has come. Please do think about reading the book I mentioned earlier, I found it very comforting when I lost a previous dog. Fingers crossed for Molly. This is a great site for being able to share things with others and know you are not alone.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Carol....very similar situation.

I know that dogs will tell you which is why I had my doubts because I didn't think that Molly was telling her dad. That is why I have suggested different walks so that Poppy can run wild and be the stupid thing that she is (choccy lab) and that Molly would be able to walk as she wanted to. Problem with his garden is that there are quite a lot of steps up to the grass which is where she is struggling.

Her dad is stubborn and never changes his mind.......however on this occasion I think I may well have changed it....somebody has to take Molly's corner.

Even if she has just a few more months I do think that it would have been worth it. As long as she keeps her dignity. Her only problem is that she is slow to the point of going backwards....no other problems regarding her toilet habits etc and her hearing is going....but not enough to stop her hearing the words "biscuits" and "walkies"

I am sure the vet will prescribe Metacam if needs be.

[ilove2patch]

That is good news.:-)

[silver_sisters]

Ask the Vet about Previcot too, it's similar to Metacalm but sometimes Metacalm doesn't suit so Previcot (which imo is better anyway) is used.

Both can cause long term liver problems but if the dogs only have a year or so left it's a no brainer I reckon

There are a couple of old dogs round here that are positively bouncing on Previcot!

btw they got REALLY grumpy due to the pain and now are completely fine and happy dogs again

Good luck and well done fighting for her 

[silver_sisters]

Sorry it's PrevicoX not Previcot :8}

[rosy_cross]

There are some good natural remedies for arthritis and joint pain in dogs....such as Feverfew. It was a deritive that was used in Opren, the banned arthritis drug....not the part of the drug that caused the side effects I might add! One capsule for 5 days - 2 days off to monitor the progress....not that it is good to use long term...better to alternate with other remedies such as St John's Wort and skullcap tincture (12 drops of each per 20lb weight 3 times a day). If you have feverfew growing in the garden you can give it as strong tea about half a teaspoonful per 20lb  twice a day.

Feverfew is great for migraine too....it is a natural NSAID.

I mourned for about 2 years after I lost my lovely dog to bladder cancer. I loved her so much ...we 'rescued' her from the pound...she was tri colour half border collie, half sheltie....she didn't have a bad bone in her body! That was about 15 years ago....I still miss her! Couldn't have another dog after that...was just too distressing! The look on her face when she lay on he vet's table will haunt me! 

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Sad to say that Molly did indeed have to be put to sleep. Unfortunately it was her very enlarged heart that couldn't be treated. The vet said she would have been in pain (even though she never showed it). At least she went to the angels with all her dignity intact. Feeling very sick even though I know it was the best decision for her. Even when we were with the vets in the consulting room she managed to polish off four chocolate digestive biscuits....a pig to the end LOL.

All I can say is RIP Molly aged 13 3/4 - a dog who was loyal to the bitter end

[ilove2patch]

Sorry to hear that.:-(

[wizilizi]

😞  

How sad xx

[carolyorkie2010]

Aww, what a shame; I really do feel for you; was hoping you could have had another few months with her. It always amazes me how animals just "get on with it," they don't complain. She's at peace now and will have appreciated you being with her until the very end. Take care and don't bottle your feelings up, let the tears come.

[merc1_clocks]

Oh tintin...I'm so very very sorry ((((( HUGS )))))

[barefoot.biker]

RIP Molly 😞

[mandymoosie]

So sorry to hear of your loss 😞

RIP Molly and run free :-x

[numptz2012]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww:-(xxxxxxxxxx

[fishpieface]

Ahh Tintin, I've just caught up with your threads and I am so sorry, very sad news.

It's hard to see positives when you feel so very sad, I went through it with my 21 yr old cat, Paws, a few years back.  However, there are positives and they are mainly that Molly was very much loved - something which, sadly, many animals do not have the pleasure and security of being.  Also, as you say, she passed with dignity and is free from pain - maybe better that than for you and her to be distressed when her condition deteriorated so.

It is very hard to believe right now, that I know, but the pain does ease and in its place comes happy memories that you shared and you are more able to celebrate all the lovely times you had together.

The decision to end our beloved animals' suffering is probably the kindest and yet hardest one that we have to make for them.  Be proud that you both loved Molly and gave her the home that all pets deserve.  May she rest peacefully.

Hugs,

Fishy

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Poppy the choccy lab is still with us. She was brought into the family three years ago so that when Molly left us there was still a dog in the house.

No doubt in due course another dog will be given a new home....and whatever the breed it will be a rescue dog.

We don't buy puppies from breeders, thereby adding to the problem, it is always a rescue dog of some sort.

Labs do seem to be "bomb proof" and fab with the children.

I am off to walk Poppy now...no doubt she will feel  lost and confused for a few days but will probably soon forget and will totally enjoy being the only dog without having to compete for fuss.....

Molly had a working dog attitude loving chasing the ball and retrieving and was totally loyal to her dad....never more than a foot behind him...whereas Poppy the choccy is totally different....she wants to play with the children and is constantly looking at you wanting to get onto the sofa.

[shelly180]

Awww RIP Molly

[captainbovine]

I'm sorry to hear that, but she is now pain free and running with her friends.

RIP Molly xxxxx

[bitsnknots]

So sorry to hear your news tintin.  

RIP Molly.