For those of you kind enough to ask after my beautiful boy, Padfoot, the news is not good, I'm afraid.
I am taking him to the vet's tomorrow when I will ask for a biopsy - but I am almost certain I know what the result will be.
Pad is continuing to lose weight alarmingly and he is getting weaker by the day. He has that dry, rasping cough which, in my experience, always accompanies cancer when it's grip begins to turn into a stranglehold. He also shivers at the slightest hint of a draft when all he ever used to do was pant at the slightest hint of sunshine. Finally, he has a raging thirst.
You don't need seven years' training at veterinary college to work out what is wrong - just look at his eyes!!!!! It is an awful, awful, awful disease. I had to watch my father-in-law die from it and it claimed the lives of all three dogs in my previous pack. The dogs were lucky - they were put to sleep when the pain became too much.
Pad, I am sure, is not in much pain at the moment. He still has his appetite and he is still able to move about by himself, in fact I took him for a little walk yesterday and while we could not go far I think he enjoyed being able to smell the grass, the trees and the calling cards of his pals. He is warm, I ferry the water bowl to him whenever he looks up at me to ask and I have taken to sleeping downstairs on the sofa with him so he is not lonely and I am there for him when he yelps out or wants a drink.
I am going to make sure he has the best it is possible to have until the time comes when he hurts too much. Then, the vet will come out to him and, like my other dogs, I will be there to hold him while he goes to sleep. I will then bury him alongside the other boys and girls in my garden and flowers will grow where he lies.
The first five years of his life must have been Hell on earth but, when he fell through the ice of a frozen canal and was on the verge of drowning, little did he know how special life was going to be from the moment he was dragged exhausted from the water by firemen.
He has had five fantastic years with me and I will miss him more than I can possibly put into words. God bless him.
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Shaggy Blog Stories
15 comments:
I'm sorry to hear that Reg... I wish him and you a great time together... as long as it will last...
All the BW's send you and Pad our best wishes.
Oh Reg, my eyes are leaking now. That is just shit, and I'm terribly sorry for him & you.
beautiful words for man's best friend.
Big hug for Pad from Uncle Malc. Good luck tomorrow boys.
reg, i am so sorry.
i don't know what else to say.
You are doing the best you can for him.His pain will soon be over.
Mate, I don't know what to say other than pass on my love and best wishes.
Thinking of you all...
Love,
Big Ears
Argh, don't make me cry reg! He's a gorgeous fella and deserves the best Pithers can give.
I came here to read your forum and officially "meet" you. I frequent Fiwa's forum and have gotten a kick out of your posts there. I'm so sorry that you're going thru this. It's such a heavy cross we pet lovers bear. They never live long enough and it's so hard to say goodbye. But as the lucky caregivers of our fur-babies, we nurture them in health and it's our serious responsibility to do what's needed when the time comes. Padfoot is a beauty and he is lucky to have a "dad" like you who has loved him and given him 5 wonderful years and who will do what's best when the time has come. Rest assured that you will know when the time is right, Padfoot will let you know.
I'm heart-broken for you, knowing what you're facing. Stay strong and know that there's someone in Illinois, USA who's thinking of you and sending you her best.
Give that big beautiful dog a gentle hug for me.
Ginni and Rosie (my little beautiful dog)
Thank you to Ginni Dee and First Nations for stopping by - and thanks to all you regulars. Believe me, your lovely words DO help me and him. Thanks again.
A gentle morning (U.S central time) pat on the head for Pad. I hope you're taking care of yourself too, Pithers.
Oh, Honey I am so sorry. I have walked that walk and your plan is righteous. If he still eats he still feels fair enough, but I see what you mean. Those eyes. Hang tight, do what you can. Take comfort in the fact that the last five years were his best. That, my friend, is huge. It's why we have pets at all...to give them something good to remedy all that came before. You have given him this. I am thinking of thebothof you. Biggest hugs of all time,
Dyna
thinking of you
xxx
Just checking in to see how you & Padfoot are doing. Sending you both my love, fiwa
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