- Location
- East Sussex
Yes, it's so emotionally draining. Molly is spending almost all her time sleeping now, though she still likes to eat. Her tail thumps when one of us come into the room. I don't think it's quite time.
Poppy
- Thread starter MellowYellow
- Start date
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
It is said, it is better a day too early rather than a day too lateLikewise
I still don't know if it was the right time....
I feel we do know but the loss of the beloved dog is so painful we then begin to doubt after.
Do you know, I am no longer convinced by this. Life is a precious gift, and depending on what you believe, you only get one go at it. And suffering is part of life... I mean, I'm not talking about terrible pain, of course we would want to spare our beloved dogs that, but I'm not sure about the 'better a day too early' argument any more. Sigh.It is said, it is better a day too early rather than a day too late
However, on a brighter note, Poppy has turned a corner again, and is eating and happily going for little walks and seems very much brighter. Fingers crossed for her!!! I mean, I know things aren't going to get any better than they are, but if we can get her eating properly so that she can have some painkillers again, I think her life can be really pretty comfortable and of a good quality. We shall see...
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
My Mantra was 'where there is life there is hope'. But one day you just know, I would never do it a day too early but hope it wasn't a day too late.
Yes, this is what we all struggle with.
It's part and parcel of being a dog owner, I guess...
Yes, being given the choice is a huge responsibility.Yes, this is what we all struggle with.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
How is Poppy doing , Karen ? xx
Ah, thanks for asking Kate, she is not too bad, all things considering. She is eating a bit better, about a cup of kibble a day and assorted treats, and still goes down the garden and for a little walk each day. She seems happy in herself, so we continue on. She absolutely refuses any painkillers though, so we have given up with that as it is just too distressing force feeding them to her. We live life very much on her terms! We go for a walk when she wants, play with the dummies when she wants, she eats when she wants (mostly hand-feeding...).
My daughter, son-in-law, and their two little girls (three-and-a-half year old Freya and six-month-old Rosa) are arriving on Monday for two weeks, and then I am flying back to Helsinki with them for a week. I suspect I will be on my knees by the end of that time!!!!!
My daughter, son-in-law, and their two little girls (three-and-a-half year old Freya and six-month-old Rosa) are arriving on Monday for two weeks, and then I am flying back to Helsinki with them for a week. I suspect I will be on my knees by the end of that time!!!!!
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
So pleased to read that Poppy is enjoying her twilight years and how wonderful that you are enabling her to do this.
I think you will most definitely be on your knees! But a wonderful time with them nevertheless.
I think you will most definitely be on your knees! But a wonderful time with them nevertheless.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Such a nice update and I so agree, life on their terms ! Enjoy your trip xx
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Wonderful xx
We have been having the usual rollercoaster up and downs over the past few weeks...
I thought Poppy would hate having the little girls to stay, that the commotion would be too much for her - but she and the three-year-old became the best of friends, and she really perked up, eating much better, and going out into the woods with us each day! It was lovely having them all here for two weeks, and then I flew back with them and stayed in Finland for a week, but once we all left for Helsinki and just my OH stayed behind looking after the dogs, Poppy stopped eating again. She now will only eat steak!!!
I got back yesterday, and she is very skinny and in addition has lost / is losing all her undercoat, so she looks like an abused and starving dog, poor little love. She is still bright and engaged though, so we are still carrying on, taking each day as it comes. One of us has to get up each night to go outside with her, because she drinks such a lot. Part of me feels I ought to take her to the vet, to see ... I don't know what exactly, if there is anything they could do to improve her appetite, I suppose? But she had such a horrible time last time we took her (had a kind of mini seizure and was very distressed) and actually I don't think there is really anything to be done, so on balance I think we will just keep her comfortable at home.
She clearly goes into a decline if one of us goes away, and then recovers a bit when we get back. Unfortunately I may have to go the UK again soon, as my mother's health is declining and in fact my siblings think she does not have very much longer to live. She is a fiercely independent lady, and it is very hard for her that slowly but surely her life is becoming very constrained indeed. She has family around her, and my sister from Australia is flying in next week to stay with her. I am planning to go the first week in January, but depending on how she is doing I may need to go earlier. I'm really worried both she and Poppy will die in the next few weeks.
I am very tired, and also very sad.
I thought Poppy would hate having the little girls to stay, that the commotion would be too much for her - but she and the three-year-old became the best of friends, and she really perked up, eating much better, and going out into the woods with us each day! It was lovely having them all here for two weeks, and then I flew back with them and stayed in Finland for a week, but once we all left for Helsinki and just my OH stayed behind looking after the dogs, Poppy stopped eating again. She now will only eat steak!!!
I got back yesterday, and she is very skinny and in addition has lost / is losing all her undercoat, so she looks like an abused and starving dog, poor little love. She is still bright and engaged though, so we are still carrying on, taking each day as it comes. One of us has to get up each night to go outside with her, because she drinks such a lot. Part of me feels I ought to take her to the vet, to see ... I don't know what exactly, if there is anything they could do to improve her appetite, I suppose? But she had such a horrible time last time we took her (had a kind of mini seizure and was very distressed) and actually I don't think there is really anything to be done, so on balance I think we will just keep her comfortable at home.She clearly goes into a decline if one of us goes away, and then recovers a bit when we get back. Unfortunately I may have to go the UK again soon, as my mother's health is declining and in fact my siblings think she does not have very much longer to live. She is a fiercely independent lady, and it is very hard for her that slowly but surely her life is becoming very constrained indeed. She has family around her, and my sister from Australia is flying in next week to stay with her. I am planning to go the first week in January, but depending on how she is doing I may need to go earlier. I'm really worried both she and Poppy will die in the next few weeks.
I am very tired, and also very sad.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
This is such a difficult time for you Karen @MellowYellow, the waiting for the inevitable is such a hard place to be, and trying to do right by all parties is exhausting that's for sure.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
to you all Karen.You aren't half going through it right now.
Thinking of you xx
What a strained and difficult time you’re going through @MellowYellow , and I know there’s nothing that can stop that - the only way out is through - but you are handling things as best you can, and giving Poppy the best days possible and that counts for a huge amount. You are a strong, loving, kind person and we’re all here for you xxxx
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
What a difficult time you are having @MellowYellow and mentally and physically tiring for you. If Poppy is drinking a lot I wonder whether she has diabetes, you could take a urine sample to the vet, or perhaps her kidneys are failing? Would the vet come to the house if it is so stressful for Poppy to go to the surgery? When I first had Flicka and she was a nervous wreck, I had to get the vet out just for a worm pill, they wouldn't prescribe unless they had seen her! Worth a try xx
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
I am so very sorry , Karen , for this awful time you are going through , sending much love and strength xxxxxx
