General Chat

Hello

If anyone has a mind to, please would you say a prayer for my poor wee dog? He is very very poorly and it's looking as though I will have to have him put to sleep in the next few days. :-(((((((((( Just the thought of that is breaking my heart and I'm praying for some improvement in him.

Some of you may remember me posting on here last year about him having Cancer in his tail which had to be amputated at the spine. He recovered very well from that and all has been fine with him until 2-3 weeks ago when he suddenly had a problem walking.......it's like he's as *drunk as a skunk*. The vet's don't seem to really have a clue what's wrong with him. He's had xrays on his spine and nothing wrong is showing up on those, so it could be something in his brain, but it's not looking very hopeful for him right now :-((((((((((((((((((((

Thank you for reading.

Mary


Last update: Despite their best efforts Charlie stopped responding to the treatments and I had to make the decision to put him to sleep yesterday..........hopefully one day I will see him again at Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words for Charlie.

Mary xx

Thinking of you and your lovely pet, hope things improve xx..

Awww Mary I am so very sorry to read about your dog. I don't pray but I am sending all my most positive thoughts for an improvement. I can imagine how heartbreaking it must be for you. Big hugs for you and gentle patting for doggie....BC XX

I'm so sorry to hear this Mary.I do remember to telling us about his tail.I do hope he recovers but I'm sure you will do the right thing for him if you have to.No doubt you are in for a few sleepless nights.
Jane x

bless prayers for your wee dog hope he improves x

Hi

Thank you all for your replies and kind words......it helps a lot just being able to share this. xxx

Mary

Prayers for your little dog - and you too. Know how you feel - 19 months ago we made the decisiion for our westie - ((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))
Love Mary xx

Hi Mary

Thank you......and hugs back to you too, as I'm sure you're still feeling very sad about your little Westie xxx

What's making it worse for me is that my husband thinks we should take him tomorrow but I don't agree. Charlie is still eating (more than normal) and wants to go out and wants to play, so I don't think it's time yet.....although I accept that he's probably not going to get any better. :-(((((

Mary

Sending positive thoughts to you and your dog, Mary.

Hi Mary

I am not sure if a miracle can happen with a prayer, but maybe the strength to carry the burden would be in order.We can only hope for the best.

God bless

Susan
x

Many positive thoughts for you and your dog Charlie. While he is still eating and not in pain, you have a little more time with him, you will know when he wants to be helped to move over to Rainbow Bridge, Mary. It's never an easy decision to make but I am sure Charlie himself and the vet will guide you when it's time.

Lizx

Mary, you can tell Charlie about this special place when it is time....


Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...



Lizx

The last paragraph?

A DOG’S PLEA

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in the entire world is more grateful for the kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should you be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this Earth knowing with my last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Thinking of you.
Brian(i)

Hello all

Firstly, thank you to you all for your kind words and thoughts and prayers.

I did look in yesterday and read the replies but wasn't up to posting again as I spent the day in tears and with Charlie as it was going to be our last day.

We had booked him in at the vets to be put to sleep at 7pm yesterday....and came home again with him at 7.30pm!

I took him to a place just outside of Guildford today for an MRI scan and spoke to the vet there at 8pm tonight about the results. They are not at all good. :-(((((( Charlie has what he called a lesion in his brain.....70% sure that it is a cancerous growth and is in an inoperable place, radiotherapy is not an option either for the same reason.

He said that there is a 30% chance that it's not cancer and wants to keep Charlie there for a couple of days and give him strong doses of Steroids to see if there is any improvement. Now I'm torn......I don't think it will do any good, and I don't want him to have any more distress by being away from home.....but on the other hand I want him to have every possible chance! Difficult decision :-( If there is no improvement then they will put him to sleep :-((((

I have to ring them tomorrow lunchtime.......I'm almost sure I will say try the Steroids.

Mary

Mary. Why are doing it? For Charlie's sake or your sake. Think.
The last paragraph again;
There’s a certain kind of friendship that is very difficult to beat.
And is very rare to find it in the people that you meet.
Yet every dog that ever lived has this gift to bestow-
A loyal, firm devotion as so many of us know.
Though people judge you by your looks, your cash, your job, your car
A dog is so much wiser- he accepts you as you are.
You can be a saint or sinner, down-and-out or millionaire
He’ll not ask to see your pedigree as long as you are there.
While those around are planning all their trips to Greece and Spain.
With him you’ll find adventure in a romp along the lane.
His days are full of pleasure yet his needs are very few.
A pat, a dish, a cushion, a ball to fetch for you.
If others seem to shun you, maybe think you’re just a bore,
He lets you keep on talking, though he’s heard it all before
As he settles close beside you with his head upon your knee,
For there’s no place in all the world where he would rather be
When many may be missing in your hour of need and strife
There’s one whose always ready to defend you with his life
No matter whether right or wrong, he’ll never criticise,
But shows his trusting confidence in clear, adoring eyes.
And when his life is ending from the signs that you can tell.
That joy has turned to misery and never will get well
And the tail that wagged in ecstasy to great you at the door.
Is hanging low, and honest eyes are sad and shine no more.
It will break your heart to do it for you know you’ll miss him so
But when active life is over then it’s kinder to let go.
Just make his ending easy and let him die with dignity
The way you let him live.
Brian(i)

Mary, I am sure most of us would say give the steroids a try if only for a little longer with Charlie, you will know when it becomes too much or the vet will help you with the decision by not suggesting anything further.

Hope Charlie responds well to the treatment.

Lizx

Oh Mary, What a sad and difficult time for you.

Seven or eight years ago I would have wondered what the fuss was about, BUT I have had two Cocker Spaniels for the last 6 years and OH and I are besotted by them. They are part of our family, and on the odd occassion when they have needed treatment it has been very similar to when one has a child who is ill.

However, in my line of work I have learnt that we all have a time span and so do animals, so long as your Charlie has been given every opportunity and it sounds as if he has then you know in your heart what the right action is....and the Vet will guide you through the decsion, I send a paryer fro you both and will add you to my quiet time each day which means I simple send positive thoughts and think about you and Charlie

Take Care

Bridget

Thiinking of you Mary and agonizing with you at the choice you will have to make. Whatever you do I am sure that you will know when the time is right to say goodbye to your beloved Charlie. BC XX

Thank you all xx

I'm feeling a little happier today after speaking to the vet at Guildford last night and my own vet here this morning.

The vet at Guildford has said that Charlie has a lesion in his brain but there is a 30% chance that it is something called GME and not a tumour and wants to treat him with Steroids for 2/3 days to see if there is an improvement. If there's none then we have to accept that it is a tumour.

I have been using my vets here for 30 years now and I would trust them with my life as well as my pets, and I know that they always guide me properly when it's time to put my animals to sleep.

I have spoken to my regular vet here who immediately said "go for it, they are pretty good odds" and "you asked me what I would do if it were my Billy (her own dog) and I would give the injections a go". She also said that the guy at Guildford treating him is the top neurologist in the whole of the country and if he thinks there's a 30% chance that it's GME and not a tumour then it is worth a try.

He's not in pain and he seems happy enough, wanting to play and go out and to eat.

So my decision is this: he will have the Steroid injections for 2 or 3 days and if there is no improvement in that time, then I shall bring him home for a few hours, give him a lovely chicken dinner and lots of cuddles and then take him to be put to sleep that evening.

Mary

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