Another transition

Holling has said goodbye to too many friends in the past six months. Bandit passed in his sleep last week after a slow decline from diabetes.

Dear Bandit in the box,

So my dear fat and furry kit, you are finally free of your tired body. I have looked for you in the sky many nights and sent you healing energy, but it seems that the universe had other plans for you.

You are in the company of many of your family members. Say hi to Molly for me. Don't chase Whiskas too much. You know that she doesn't like to be chased. Perhaps you and Sam are roaming around looking for birds and butterflies. My butterfly tree has gone to sleep for the winter, but it will awaken again, as will you, with renewed life lifting your head to soak up the rays of the sun.

I know that you miss Daphne, but don't worry because you'll also be seeing her one day.

It seems like just yesterday that you were a little kitten, running all over the house...so anxious to show Daphne and Cali "the ropes" when they came to live with us. Who would ever guess that Daphne would become the love of your life and keep you safe and happy until you had to leave?

I'll miss you in my heart as I have done for such a long time, but you and I will meet one day too! Until then I'll see you in the stars and in my dreams.

Sleep well my darling.

Love,

Sharon

October brings more events...a stroke and some confusion

I went out of town for a few days and while I was gone DOD seemed to have rediscovered his youth.  His petsitter Colleen said that there was  new spring in his step and it appears that the Proin is finally working as there were no more accidents in his bed.

However I did read the following in one of the online forums and am wondering if Proin has had some side effects.

Two days ago he had difficulty getting up in the morning and when he did he walked around in circles, dragging his right rear leg like it was broken.  Off we went to the vet's office where he was examined by the neurologist who indicated that he had likely had a stroke.

Yesterday morning he has able to walk a straight line and had no more dragging of his hind leg.  The next step is to take a look at what may have possibly caused the stroke.  A blood sample was sent to the lab yesterday to determine whether he has experienced any decline in kidney function as kidney disease can cause a stroke.

As he had an MRI just 3 mths ago, it's highly unlikely that a tumour could have grown on the brain in such short time.

DOD you're breaking my heart, again.  You look wonderful after your bath earlier this week.  Your teeth are clean and shiny and you smell terrific.  But you're not eating much and you're barely moving.  I had to drag you out of bed yesterday.  Dianne says it will take several days for you to get better.  I'm sad that you have finally lost all sight in your right eye.  I'll try to steer you around so you don't fall and walk into doors.  I'm going to make you some turkey soup today.  I know that you'll perk up when you smell one of your favourite treats.

Love,

Sharon

More of the September Song

It seems like Holling's friends are destined to move on without him.  Whiskas and Sam were his best friends.  Of all my cats, they seemed to love him the best.

It was Whiskas who walked with Holling and me every evening just before bed.  Whiskas would come up stairs from her bed and wait by the door as I went to get the leash.  We would then take our stroll around the block with Whiskey keeping pace paw for paw with Holling.  She loved to walk under his chin and rub up against him.  I know that he's going to miss that, as will I.

Sleep Well Whiskas and wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge.

If tears could build a stairway,

And memories were a lane,

I would walk right up to heaven,

And bring you home again,

No farewells were spoken,

No time for goodbye,

You were gone before I knew it,

Only the universe knows why...

Sharon and DOD

The September Song

The past two months with Holling and his geriatric feline companions have been hectic.  Holling is still holding his own with some challenging days and some not-so-challenging days.  Another vet visit provided us with more resources in the form of Chinese herbs.  The ginseng and four-herb complex seem to be perking him up.  We're back up to walking at least a half mile each day to keep DOD's muscles from atrophying.

Unfortunately we lost DOD's favorite kitty at age 16 last week.  Sam had been battling renal failure for the past year.  We know he's enjoying the Rainbow Bridge, where one young friend of ours said that old cats become kittens again.  I like that idea!

Goodbye Sam...

Sleep warm and well

Say "hi" to Molly for us

When tomorrow starts without us,

Don't think that we're far apart

For every time that you think of us,

We're right there, in your heart

Sharon and DOD

The Day by Day thing....

My last post was before DOD's M.R.I. The good news is that the M.R.I. didn't turn up anything definitive. A spinal tap revealed advanced degenerative disease. We're going to come up with a treatment plan in the next few days....one to keep him comfortable and help his cognitive abilities. He's still eating with gusto and walking a bit, albeit at a permanent list. He picked up his ball yesterday!

I came across a poem on the Internet today which I plan to keep by my computer. I know that one day we will part and I think this poem will give me some solace when the time comes.

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand

For this day, more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears
Would you want me to suffer? So
When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend
Only stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
It is a kindness that you do for me

Although my tail its last has waved
From pain and suffering I have been saved
Do not grieve it should be you
Who must decide this thing to do
We've been so close, we two these years
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

~ Author Unknown ~

Holling's person Sharon

Today is the day

Well, it seems like it has taken such a long time to set everything up but we're going to get ready in a few minutes to leave for the hospital and the M.R.I.

Part of me is dreading this and yet part of me wants to know what's happening. My DOD has been restless for the past week, no doubt as a result of this unbearable heat and rain forest humidity. There have been several nights when neither of us slept very well, even with air conditioning, but he's breathing easier this morning. I got my good morning tail wag and nose kiss.

Didn't George Bernard Shaw say that no man is an island? I think that the same is true for women. I've been dreading this day and am relieved that a bridge has been built to my island through the support of the members of http://www.gsrne.org/ who will be joining me today.

All this fuss over a dog? Well, yeah....he's my dog and I'm his person. Yes, I love him and I'm glad that I've had the opportunity to do so because it doesn't appear that he had much before he graced my life. Like Mo Chuisle did before him, he's taught me a lot about life. And yes, I keep on learning.

Time to go.

Sharon

DOD - you're breaking my heart a bit......

DOD,

You and I are patiently waiting for news of whether you will receive an MRI. Lisa came over last night and mentioned that watching you was like watching her darling before she passed on. I'm glad that you're still game to venture around the block once a day, but I am worried about your front paws and will try some of Molly's boots on you today.

I know it's hot and the humidity is too high for your comfort. I hope that you feel better on your bed in the air conditioned comfort of the bedroom. You seem to be sleeping a lot more than usual. Yesterday you didn't want to arise until almost 9 a.m.

Your appetite is failing. I don't know if it's because of the heat or how you feel physically, but I'm going to cook you a sweet potato, some rice and ground beef. Maybe that will pick you up. You know by now that I am the queen of running around trying to put bandages on things while ignoring the inevitable. So what is the inevitable? I wish that you could talk to me and tell me everything that's on your mind.

Your back legs are weak. The Rimadyl seemed to help for a few days, but you also had an upset stomach so we stopped it. You're still wagging your tail, albeit a bit slower now. Does that mean that everything is still okay with us?

I haven't had my daily "lick on the nose" ....wanna give me just one?.....please?

I'm worried about you, my DOD.

Love,

Sharon

The Update on DOD

Well, here we are some 18mths later. DOD has been tottering around a bit unsteady on his feet and just recently he went down on his front paws. This was a daily occurrence for about a week. Concern about his eyesight and wondering about DM, which afflicts many German Shepherd Dogs, took us to visit his internist on Friday.

While at the internist DOD also had a neurological evaluation. It seems like an MRI is needed to determine whether he has a brain lesion or a disk problem. At this point in life, operations are out of the question, but it would be good to know the path that we will travel together so that I may prepare the provisions we need to take with us.

This is never an easy process for me...the process of wondering when we'll part. Last night I dreamed that we were coming out of the doctor's office and that a car pulled up, a woman opened the door and he jumped right in. Off they sped. Well, DOD can't jump onto or into anything anymore. What happened? Was it my subconscious fears at work? Was it an indication of a swift and painless (for him) departure?

With August coming I do have apprehensions, as historically that seems to be one of the times of the year when many pets leave for the Rainbow Bridge. I simply don't know.....

Sharon - DOD's person