I'm so glad she's enjoying herself, and that you are treasuring each precious moment. I wouldn't think too much about what others say. You are in tune with her, and you will know when it is time.
Pam
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I'm so glad she's enjoying herself, and that you are treasuring each precious moment. I wouldn't think too much about what others say. You are in tune with her, and you will know when it is time.
Pam
What Pam said. It doesn't sound like Maggie is suffering right now. Enjoy life with her for now. You are already prepared.
Trust yourself and your DH. Enjoy your time with her. You will know when the time comes - animals do have a way of telling us - as Lisa said, you're already prepared. They don't know you and her as well as you do. Please don't let that cloud your happy memories.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama
CA
Hmmmmm, people so like to interfere, especially family!
What better way to be, than giving little Maggie Bear umpteen hugs and cuddles.
Don't mean to go off topic but that was the one upsetting thing when my little budgie was very poorly, I just could not cuddle him up, he would have freaked and probably keeled over.
No, you keep close to your little Maggie Bear.
More hugs and nice things coming across the pond for Maggie & Co.
Clock
Aggie-Ama - Pox on the relatives! Maggie is happy to be home and she loves you unconditionally. That's obvious. She knows she's home, safe and loved. Good luck wth the twice daily IV therapy. It'll be a challenge, but it will make sure her kidneys gets the fluids they need. Unfortunately, eventually the sticks will become more difficult as her skin becomes scarred. Yeah, I missed a few times sticking Erin, and managed to stab myself a time or two. I hope Maggie is a cooperative patient.
Beth- So far other than the other night (see my gross thread) they are going okay. The vet recommended moving to her rump and shoulders. We tried the rump that night with no luck. We may try it again soon though.
Otherwise Maggie still has a lot of energy for her. She LOVES her soupy food. Unfortunately all the fluids mean she is having accidents while I am at work. I do not live close enough to come home. Fortunately it is on tile and she seems to be okay in spite of it. She has access to plenty of water and a rather large area of the tiled area so she doesn't have to stay directly with her accident if she has one, neither does Heidi. It is so clear I am actually not sure some days she hasn't run into her water which she frequently does.
We have a working neighborhood so a neighbor letting her out isn't an option and with her being blind a doggie door wouldn't be. But I think it is okay. I am still shocked at her energy level, I don't expect us to have many more days but I still have to go get another bag to get us throw the weekend coming and I didn't expect that.
I'm glad Maggie is feeling frisky despite her illness. Enjoy your time with her. It is hard when you have to be trying to medicate, etc, all the time. Try to find the humor in it and as long as she seems perky and you are happy, then that's all that matters. Good thoughts going out to you and Maggie.
Sounds like maybe you should get more than one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama
Luckily the vet is on the way home from work and Maggie needs a blood check Monday. When I was there this afternoon one of her favorite techs (and one that she stole the heart of for sure)was showing me how to install the line on a new bag. She was so excited to hear she is doing alright. I told the tech "I honestly didn't think I would need this bag." She looked at me and said "Neither did we." So each day is a blessing for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
Little Heidi got a treat too, a couple of cans of wet food to go with her dry. She feels a little more special now.
As with many creatures, the attitude of the spirit is part of what keeps us alive. Maggie is happy to be home, so her body is following along. Am glad she's having good days. And maybe her accidents are due to bashing into the waterdish than lack of bladder control. The fact that she's peeing means that her kidneys are still functioning (layman's terms) too. Good Heidi is getting treats, she shouldn't be left out. She knows something is up, can smell Maggie isn't well, and needs extra love herself. Hope you have an uneventful weekend. Just the usual routine - IV therapy, feed the dogs, walk the dogs, pet the dogs, nap with the dogs, run an errand or two, .... ;)
This morning Maggie stopped eating. She is having trouble getting up. Last night she had energy but this morning none. I just got off the phone with the vet and he said to bring her in tomorrow morning but without saying it he said we were likely bringing her in for the end. I know it, DH knows it so why can't I stop crying? He said we can keep her comfortable by giving her subcu 4x today. I have plans for a 2 hr mtn ride which I am still going on because it is sunny and I need a diversion.
We had decided last week to plant a Texas Mountain Laurel in the backyard for Maggie, I hope DH's nursery has one and we can plant it this week. I am glad it is a slow week at work. Thanks everyone who followed and held my hand virtually through this.
Oh, Amanda. I'm so sorry for you, DH and your little Maggie. Hugs to you all.
(((((Amanda, Maggie & DH)))))
I'm glad you had a few more good days together. I'm so sorry that they seem to have come to an end. Keeping you all in my thoughts.
Thinking of you and your family. These past few days were a real gift for both you and Maggie. You will get through this terribly hard part. Later on you will feel better inside knowing that you did everything you could to keep her healthy and happy. My heart goes out to you.
This has all been so hard for you and your husband but you have both done the best possible.
Little Maggie Bear has had a wonderful life with you, so much love and care. You can remember all the good times plus you saved her so many times and you have helped take away any hurt and pain, nobody could have done anymore.
My heart and prayers go out to you.
Hugs.
Clock
You said everything I couldn't quite put into words:)Quote:
Originally Posted by ClockworkOrange
CA
Aggie, just to add my support, Maggie is so fortunate to have found you and your husband. She may have had a rough start in life, but you gave her joy and hope and love. No one could ask for anything more.
Hugs to you all.
Ah, I'm so sorry. :(
A Texas Mountain Laurel is a lovely tribute. It is my favorite tree.
because you love her! I went through something very similar about a year ago--and most of the people posting here have clearly been through some version of this, too--and it is really heart-wrenching every single time. I find it interesting that we are given constant opportunities to love beautiful beings we know from the beginning most likely won't outlive us. But we love them, anyway. And we do it again and again, and accept that our hearts will break.Quote:
I know it, DH knows it so why can't I stop crying?
My thoughts and prayers for you, Maggie, and your DH.
Amanda, we've all fallen in love with her. Give her a hug for me.
Amanda, your dog loves you & surely appreciates all that you've done for her. You're a good woman :)
((AM & DH)))
Oh crap -- I am so very sorry, Amanda! :( :( :( :(
Our Pepper (Boston Terrier we had before Paisley) had one final terrible weekend with cluster seizures, and we made an appt. to bring her to the vet on a Monday morning too (12/18/06). We knew it was going to be the end as well -- so I do know what you are going through. We were both there with her when her vet administered the euthanasia shot, and we took her home and buried her in our back yard. It was a terrible day, but it comforts me greatly to see the stone we put on her grave.
Peace to you at this worst of times...
I feel awful not having seen this thread earlier.
My heartfelt sympathies at all you and she have been through, and deep empathy.
What a special pup!
((hugs)), hang in there.
Hi Amanda,
Maggie didn't have an easy start but you were her angel for rescuing and giving her a wonderful loving home.
You have given her all the love possible and allowed her to have few extra days of happiness. It's never easy for us to let our babies go even though its most dignified way and peaceful. Yes we are all selfish in that way. to wish for another happy day together.
Each time I was with my babies as they went to sleep, I cried over it. I still cry from time to time and tears are welling up as I write this... You realized that as they go to sleep, each one gave a thankful happy smile knowing that their suffering and pain was being taken away. Not suffer anymore.
Planting a tree in her memory is such a wonderful tribute.
Eternal peace and happiness to Maggie.
Amanda, you have a big wonderful heart and I wish you well too. And its okay to cry. We all do.
Sincerely,
Smilingcat
Pooh. :(
Just wanted to add my condodlences. You guys have had quite a time of it lately with Maggie... and she sounds like she's been a little trooper through it all. She was blessed to have found such a loving home.
Planting the tree for her is a beautiful way to remember her daily.
More hugs to you all. Thanks for being such wonderful parents to Maggie and remember all the love and joy you brought each other. And let the tears flow. It's natures way of helping us heal!
We took her in as the vet said to yesterday but she had started eating and pottying again last night. So the vet pulled blood work and her levels actually dropped from last Monday. His guess is yesterday morning's diahrea, behavior and refusal to eat was GI distress from all she is struggling with. He did caution she is still in severe kidney failure and most dogs can't function even at her lowered levels. The protein levels are dropping which means other organs are getting stressed. Her heart is showing signs of stress (heart mumur) but he couldn't say it was her time so he sent her home with the gloomy caution of "you may have a week".
She is getting weaker but ate this morning. I wish I could say the same for myself. My stomach is in knots from this roller coaster and DH's is really upset which is never good. So we keep waiting and wondering. We will do the same level of subcu and feeding her until she tells us something changed. Could be tomorrow, could be next week.
I woke up this morning finally at peace. I am thankful for one more day but fatigued too. I talked to my mom and told her I feel like I am saying I want to put her to sleep which isn't the case (she knows because yesterday she got the sobbing call) but I am just tired and wish it were easier. I can tell Maggie is getting weaker, walking and eating a bit slower so I will cherish this evening, hold her and be thankful we got it together. I think for my sanity I should quit guessing how she is feeling.
I want to give you a hug. :) Enjoy the time you have with her. Be in the moment.
Veronica
That's hard. Like Veronica said, just try to be in the moment and not torture yourself with thinking and guessing. At least you know what's coming and have time to prepare. In some ways, the desperate hoping and the not knowing whether they'll recover or not can be worse than knowing for sure that their time is approaching.
When Maggie is really ready, I think it will be more obvious. As long as she seems happy and eats a little, I think maybe it's not time yet. She might have a day without eating which could be just a normal fluctuation in her weakened condition, or a morning when it's hard for her to get up for a while. When they are really failing for the last time, it's more obvious. I'm guessing from your posts that you only want to prevent the last phase when they are typically very uncomfortable and completely weak.
Your strength and your love will pull you through.
Hang in there, Amanda. This is a very hard time I know, but one small silver lining is that these little reprieves give you more time to prepare for the inevitable, and to enjoy your sweet Maggie Bear's last days. Our last year with Pepper was filled with many ups and downs medically, and I thought we were going to lose her more than once, only to have her rally back. By the time the end finally came, we had a terrible week, but my DH and I both bounced back pretty quickly after that -- I think because we had already gone through some of the grief work ahead of time, very different from a sudden, unexpected loss.
Thinking of you.... :(
They just don't live long enough. She knows she is loved and she thanks you.
Oh damn. I've been off-line for a few days and just saw this.
So sorry for the heartache you're going through. Through all of this Maggie Bear knows how much she was loved. You've given her something that so many other dogs (and cats) will never get to experience. Keeping you all in my thoughts.
Thanks girls, I have been not guessing and not worrying this week. She has started to complain about the subcu which means stress for mommy and daddy but guess what? I have to go get another bag tonight for a dog the vet was thinking was ready to go Monday. I am not getting optimistic but this little girl just refuses to quit. So another bag, a few more cans of food. She is still pottying, she is still eating, she is moving a bit slower but as the vet said this food is not the highest in protein. She still puts her paws up on your knee to say hello when you come in, trots over to her name and she still snuggles if you pick her up (she has never been able to climb up on you like Heidi). I don't think she is ready to say goodbye yet.
That's good. You just keep her comfortable and keep pouring on the love.
I know sub-cu's are the pits. Try doing it to a very pi**ed off cat for about a year! :eek:
You're doing great.
At first she was mellow for it but now she is restless and at least once pulled the line by moving. He wants to keeps doing 100cc two times a day, Maggie is verbally telling us she isn't happy. I can't even imagine doing it on a cat, especially if they had claws.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
We found that if the 'assistant' held the cat gently but steadily, then I was free to insert the needle, then when things got flowing I would scratch her head and distract her with one hand while holding the needle in place with the other hand. I found if I pinched some fur (not skin) onto the needle while holding the needle between my thumb and index, then when she struggled for a moment the needle would not pull out accidentally. And I rubbed and 'scroonched' her head and neck a lot to distract her throughout it all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama
I had to wrap Erin in a towel, and do some contortionist moves, but I managed to get her stuck. Sometimes she escaped, sometimes I didn't get her restuck, and sometimes I stuck me. Once in full dispair I took her back to the clinic for help. Generally she'd growl, doing a very good Lion imitation, and she'd bite & hold, to let me know she was irritated. I figured she had that right. But my motivation like yours, was that without the IV therapy, I knew she'd very quickly spiral down, and I wasn't ready to quit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama
It is definitely easier with two people.
My heart goes out to you Aggie_Ama, and to Maggie. IV sticks are never fun, even with sharp needles.
Amanda, how is Maggie doing?