The Miracle of Our Pets

Well...yesterday I sent my husband off to the vet with our 18 year old dalmation, knowing she was probably going to have to be put down.  I couldn't go because I was hysterical, and quite frankly couldn't watch it happen. Vesta, my dog, has been in congestive heart failure for almost 6 month and last week leaped off a stair landing and hasn't been able to stand up on her own ever since,  I cried non stop, and kept calling my husband on the cell phone asking him if it was 'over yet'.  He told me she was in xray and would call me when he knew something.  I was dumbfounded that she was being xrayed...an 18 year old dog?

Anyway, he called me back an hour later and said that they had taken her blood to check for liver and kidney failure...it was perfect.  Scanned her heart and the congestive heart failure is actually better than it was three months ago and most of the fluid was gone.  Nothing showed up on the leg and chest xrays except some 'minor arthritis'...nothing broken.  Nothing of significance appeared on the pelvic xray.  Because she was anesthesized Eric left her there and we picked her up several hours later.

When I got to the vet they told me what an amazing dog she is with a will to live like they had never seen.  They had put her on a quilt on the floor and actually had to cage her because she was 'running' all around the office.  The vet took one look at me and just took me in his private office and hugged me for about ten minutes.  He assured me she is not in pain, because that I would not be able to justify.

Vesta has been with me for most of my 'fibro life' and has given me comfort most humans could never do.  I couldn't imagine my life without her and I know she is old and that day will come sooner than later but for now, she is still sleeping next to me on my pillow, kissing my face when I hurt.  I will have to pick her up when she falls, but the vet thinks that will get better because he believes she just pulled a muscle in her back.

I would like to thank all of you in this forum who have tolerated my silliness and somewhat strange sense of humor...it's what gets me through most of my bad flare days.  I know some of you think I am nuts, but if one person can laugh through this fibro Hell, I am happy.  Believe it or not, I was bawling my eyes out writing the Marlee's Couch post(it was the day I thought my dog was going to die, (was a week-end and couldn't get her to the vet because they were closed)) and for those few moments that you all made me laugh, I am grateful.

I WUV YOU, Sherrine! (and the rest of you too)

Huggies

donna

 

Awwwwww... (((((Donna)))) .. I know how hard that is, we had to say goodbye to our beloved Jack, he was 15 and had cancer everywhere.  That was Dec '07.  I still miss him everyday.  He was a great little buddy. (poodle/terrier mix).  Before he left us I had given him a haircut and forgotten to shake out the sheet I used to catch the hair.  A couple of days after he went to sleep I came across the sheet and a clump of hair fell out.  I put it in a special jeweled box and gave it to my husband (Jack was his dog-best friend, when we got married).  We have the box and a great picture of Jack on one of the shelves in our livingroom, where it will remain till we are gone from this planet.

Its a special gift you were given to have this extra time with Vesta.  Enjoy every moment you have with her.  Give her extra kisses and lots of love in return for all she's done for you. (give her a little kiss on the head for me too)

You're "silliness" is a little ray of sunshine for me and, I'm sure, everyone on the forum.  Instead of crying and feeling sorry for myself you and the folks here bring me a smile and a laugh on difficult days.  So keep up the good work... we all wuv you!!!

Warm gentle hugs,

Dearest (((Donna)))
You are the main reason I come to this forum, anxiously looking for one of your hilarious posts. Most days, I wake in a foul mood, having not slept well, feeling like a truck ran over me, well you all know what I mean, and I come into my office and before I begin work, I come to this forum and you make me smile! So thank you, my friend, from the bottom of my heart.

Honestly, I think I love my dogs more than people and please don't tell my husband, although he probably already knows. My dogs have been my source of strength. Their unconditional love has gotten me through so many days when I have felt so bad, been in so much pain. If I have to go back to bed, they get into bed and just lie next to me. There are times I feel like a Golden Retriever sandwich - yes I have two Goldens.

Vesta sounds like an amazing girl. I believe her will to go on comes from the love she receives from you and your husband. She desires to be here, to be with you and for you. Dogs are simply amazing and I can't say enough about them. I've had several over the past 25 years and my heart has broken each and every time we've had to put one down, but I've gotten through it by telling myself that it is up to us, my husband and me, to make sure they do not suffer. We at the very least can do that much for them. It's never easy, but in my heart I know it's the right thing to do.

Vesta will let you know when it is time. On another note, have you tried a towel around her waist, to help hoist her up? Just wrap it under her belly and bring both ends up and gently lift. You don't have to bear her entire weight, just enough to give her some extra support. There are some gadgets you can buy, but a towel works just as well.

Again, Donna, thank you for all the times you made me laugh, you are a beautiful person,
Miriam

Hi Donna,

I am so happy that you get more time with Vesta. You are so fortunate to have her. Never forget that. I have two dogs. A german shepard and a pitbull/australian cattle dog. They are both my babies. And they are both comforting to me when I am down. They follow me everywhere, like a short parade. And when I go to bed, they go to bed. Where ever I am , they are there.

My friend has a dalmation/lab mix. She looks like a cow. It is funny. But she is a good dog. We took her for a walk in the woods the other day. She was a good girl and stayed by us as her other dog went running all over the place.

We do love your funny posts. You really get the gang going. It is fun, so don't ever stop. We need humor in our lives.

Take care my friend,

Luv and hugs, Karen

Donna,

 

I think I've told you this before, but before I stopped working, I worked as a licensed veterinary technician for 17 years.  I have seen my fair share of dalmations, but I have never seen or even heard of one that is that old.  I know that she is your heart, and you are so lucky to have had her (or, actually, she has had you) for so long.

 

BTW-any good veterinarian would want to take Xrays to see if there is any damage from her fall (or arthritis like he or she found).  I don't know you, but you sound like me when I had to have my precious cat, Katie put down.  You want to make sure that you cover all your bases and you are making the right decision for her.  Then, once you have some answers, decisions can be made.  Even though I knew that I had to have Katie put down, I still have a lot of "what if?" questions (because I couldn't be there when it happened).

Anyway, if you ever need someone to talk to about this, I'm always willing to help with any questions you may have (just remember, I am not a veterinarian).  I hope that Vesta knows how much you love her.  And, always remember, we don't own pets, they own us.

You mean you can keep your mouth shut, Marlee?     Hey, you left yourself w-i-d-e open! 

 

I wuv you!

 

Sherrine

donna,

i had never read the story of vesta before-wow! she is so lucky you found her! i just can't believe how some people treat their animals..it is so, so sad. i will never forget being about 8 or 9 and driving with my aunt past a park and watching someone in the car in front of us throw a dog out of the window into the park! they just threw her out like she was garbage!!! i was hysterical from crying..it was so devestating for me to see something like that. fortunately, my aunt stopped her car and picked the dog up. she ended up keeping her for years after that. i was so happy that dog was able to live in a loving home! i think anyone who takes in a stray-especially one with previous abuse-should be highly commended! so kudos to you for taking vesta in and loving her so very much

glad to hear you're feeling a little better-remember we luv you!!!!!!!!

{{{{hugs}}}}

Awww Donna! That is so amazing! I'm so happy for you and Vesta! I don't know what I'd do without my furkids!

Donna,

 

What a horrible story about what happened to Vesta.   Unfortunately, in my line of work, I have seen some horrors that I can't even talk about.  I always say that animals are the only things that can 100% love unconditionally.  They don't judge you or want anything from you-except love.

 

BTW-it sounds like besides you saving Vesta, in a lot of ways, she saved you, too.

Donna, I'm so glad Vesta has more time with you. We had to put down our cat of 18 years in May 2005. I was worried my son couldn't handle it, he loved her so much. He had a really hard time of it. I also love your sense of humor. Maybe you can gather all your posts together, then I'll edit or proofread them (except the ones we weren't allowed to correct) and you'll have another book. Love, Diane

Thank you for sharing this. This sounds like truly a miracle. And what an amazing dog to fight like that to keep living. I too have experienced the amazing bond between human and dogs and have experienced how much love they can give us in our lives. Im happy to hear you able to have your beloved dog in your life a while longer.
-kim

Again, thank you all for you support and kindness.  I have taken some of your advice and used the towel to walk her around but last night she started to walk on her own and has actually hiked herself up without me lifting her hind end.  She is eating and drinking...have to buy some doggie diapers because the diuretic is REALLY working and she can't get to the door fast enough.

Diane...thanks for the proof reading offer!  I just may take you up on that...am half way through a book and because of the fog most of it looks like I'm dyslexic!

Thank you again, my fibro friends.

Huggies and Kissies

donna

Gamjill...don't underestimate the power of animals.  Dalmations have a life span of 10 years also.  It is amazing how much love they give us and defy the odds so don't even think about how long you have with him.  Just enjoy the moment, love him and as you know, they will return that love ten fold!

Huggies

donna