Another Hurdle for Duffy Dog

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Another Hurdle for Duffy Dog; He could use some jingles.
Tweet Topic Started: May 4 2013, 01:40 PM (2,069 Views)
leastrock	May 9 2013, 06:09 PM Post #46
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision Posts: 100 Group: Members Member #5,409 Joined: December 11, 2011	This isn't an easy process. My heart goes out to you and your family.



Twiceshy	May 9 2013, 06:15 PM Post #47
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,149 Group: Members Member #730 Joined: February 5, 2007	You're giving him a gift. My heart aches for you, but you're right - it's time. I'll keep you and your familiy (and Duffy) in my thoughts this week.



vxf111	May 9 2013, 06:15 PM Post #48
You're BANNED! Posts: 6,368 Group: Members Member #325 Joined: January 10, 2007	Hugs and good vibes coming your way!



Sannois	May 9 2013, 06:27 PM Post #49
You're BANNED! Posts: 7,112 Group: Members Member #116 Joined: January 7, 2007	OHhh Steph, Poor boy, it does sound like he is not really happy anymore. And at his age and from what you have written about the vets thoughts on what he might have, Sigh~ You are doing the right thing. They are with us for so short a time, and are so much a part of us. I have had to do it too many times, but it is the responsibility we accept as loving pet owners. (((((((((MAJOR HUGS to you and Lauren.))))))



stephjm	May 10 2013, 06:15 AM Post #50
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,362 Group: Members Member #955 Joined: April 12, 2007	Duffy has an appointment at the vet's next Saturday (5/18) morning. I think they are almost as sad as I am, they have taken care of Duffy for about 13 of his 14 years. But they completely understood. It is time to let him go. I don't think I am going to get his ashes back, but they will do clay paw prints for me, which is something I really want. Until then, they agreed, spoil him rotten, try to get as much meds in as we can (hot dogs!!), and feed him whatever he will eat. Right now that seems to be scrambled eggs, hot dogs, french fries, and Beggin' Strips. This morning he even turned his nose up at ground turkey with his scrambled egg. I will get through this, in my heart I know it is the best thing for Duffy. He will be in a place where the squirrels and cats are slow and easy to catch, he will love chasing balls and going for walks again, and there are Beggin' Strips everywhere.



Kassandra	May 10 2013, 06:26 AM Post #51
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,940 Group: Members Member #4,960 Joined: April 13, 2010	So sorry be prepared for a huge relief that you will feel guilty about, and total heartbreak. Just know you did the right thing and it was inevitable. When I start to miss Nellie I just remind myself that I didn't fail her, it was going to happen. Nothing I could do to avoid it forever



Trialbyfire	May 10 2013, 01:27 PM Post #52
You're BANNED! Posts: 5,272 Group: Members Member #250 Joined: January 8, 2007	stephjm May 10 2013, 06:15 AM Duffy has an appointment at the vet's next Saturday (5/18) morning. I think they are almost as sad as I am, they have taken care of Duffy for about 13 of his 14 years. But they completely understood. It is time to let him go. I don't think I am going to get his ashes back, but they will do clay paw prints for me, which is something I really want. Until then, they agreed, spoil him rotten, try to get as much meds in as we can (hot dogs!!), and feed him whatever he will eat. Right now that seems to be scrambled eggs, hot dogs, french fries, and Beggin' Strips. This morning he even turned his nose up at ground turkey with his scrambled egg. I will get through this, in my heart I know it is the best thing for Duffy. He will be in a place where the squirrels and cats are slow and easy to catch, he will love chasing balls and going for walks again, and there are Beggin' Strips everywhere. Just one thought - have a backup plan ready. Don't wait until Saturday if you see him going downhill quick. Be prepared for how you will do that, and maybe give a heads up to your daughter. A week seems short right now but won't be if things go fast. I had planned to go with a good friend of mine last spring to take his dog to the vet; he was a little worried that he'd have a hard time walking through the door so I was going as his moral support. But after spending half the night awake with the dog in distress he could barely wait for the clinic to open, the day before the planned appointment. I hope this does not happen to you - but just be ready to act swiftly and go with your gut if he seems especially bad. Don't wait too long and have to go to the emergency clinic at 3am. So sorry.



WhySoSerious	May 10 2013, 01:42 PM Post #53
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,363 Group: Members Member #5,227 Joined: March 21, 2011	Many, many hugs to you. My parents let our beloved dog Holly take the journey up to doggy heaven in January. She had been with us for nearly 15 years. We adopted her from the animal shelter when I was in 4th grade (10 years old) as a puppy. She was the best dog and more than anything, my dad's best friend. She had a cancerous tumor on her hind leg that was inoperable. So my parents decided, against the vet's advice at times, to keep her comfortable and keep her around. My dad walked her daily and spoiled her rotten. My mom and brother were there to spoil her as well, and my sister lived nearby still. I, on the other hand, moved away in 2006. When I saw her at Christmas, she had aged so much, but she was still the wonderful Holly I had always known. Saying goodbye to her was much harder than saying goodbye to my family because I knew I wouldn't see her again. She got to the point where she wasn't eating and was just restless, and seemed to be in pain, even with her meds. My parents made the difficult decision to make an appointment for her to be put down. It was really hard on them because they took her on a walk earlier that day and she seemed like she was doing well. Even though it was so hard, they felt like they made the right decision. So all that to say, I completely understand where you're coming from. It's hard to know when the time is right, especially when they still have life in them. Many hugs and sympathy thoughts coming to you. Enjoy the time you have left and spoil him totally rotten. As far as keeping ashes, I had my chihuahua cremated after I had him put down. I had only had him 6 months, but he was the first dog I had on my own and his injury and subsequent death were pretty tragic. I was so heartbroken at the time that I felt like I should keep his ashes. I also got a paw print, though it certainly could have been done a little nicer. If I could go back and do it again, I don't think I'd keep the ashes. I do love having the paw print though and on the upside, the little wooden box the ashes came in is absolutely beautiful.



stephjm	May 10 2013, 03:09 PM Post #54
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,362 Group: Members Member #955 Joined: April 12, 2007	Thanks again all. It is going to be hard, but I am at peace with this decision. Yes he will be spoiled rotten this week. He has already learned if he stares at the treat jar he will get a beggin strip. Trial, yes I have thought of a contingency plan. Right now it seems he will be okay for a week, but if he isn't, he will go in sooner. Hopefully it won't come to that but if it does we will take care of him. Time to go feed Duffy his dinner hot dog, with Mac and cheese.



desilu	May 10 2013, 04:02 PM Post #55
Magical Leopluridon Posts: 929 Group: Members Member #298 Joined: January 9, 2007	Big hugs. Enjoy your time with him you have left.



Reynard Ridge	May 13 2013, 05:14 AM Post #56
Drivin' The Short Bus Posts: 2,934 Group: Members Member #237 Joined: January 8, 2007



Barn Girl	May 13 2013, 06:02 AM Post #57
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,347 Group: Members Member #1,230 Joined: July 5, 2007	You're doing the right thing, hard as it is. I had to make the same decision for my dog that was 17 a few years ago, and it was terrible, but after she was gone I was relieved she wasn't suffering anymore. She was adopted from a shelter and had 16 long, happy years with me. Just think of all the good years you gave him and be proud of that. I did keep her ashes and would like her ashes to be buried with mine as she was always by my side. Enjoy the time you have left with him, he is so lucky to have such a loving family!



Kassandra	May 13 2013, 06:41 AM Post #58
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,940 Group: Members Member #4,960 Joined: April 13, 2010	Hugs today! I had a gorgeous watercolor portrait done of my Nellie dog, I actually won it on a online silent auction from someone on COTH 5-6 years ago. It perfectly captures the spirit of Nellie, even more than any photos. Edited by Kassandra, May 13 2013, 06:41 AM.



stephjm	May 13 2013, 09:05 AM Post #59
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,362 Group: Members Member #955 Joined: April 12, 2007	Thanks again all. I am trying to spoil him and give him some extra attention. When the weather gets nice again, I may try to take him for a couple very short walks, if he can tolerate them without coughing too much. He used to love those. He is getting lots of treats and people food - also because that's the only thing he'll eat. It's been really hard this weekend -- this is going to sound strange -- because he's been acting perkier. I think it's because the weather got cooler again and is easier on his heart. However, he still is being very picky about eating, and I have to remember that his insides are basically a ticking time bomb. In between getting happy about treats, etc., he is very lethargic and if he exerts himself at all he coughs, even with his cough medicine. Duffy has never been a dog to show he feels bad until it is pretty bad, he usually is a happy dog, so I have to remember that even when he periodically acts perky, etc., he may be doing it just because I am around. My husband says when I am at work or gone Duffy just lays around. So, I know it is time. I think he will make it to Saturday, but that will be it. I am trying to remember that our last dog we had to put to sleep, Daisy, was in misery. She was 12, a big dog, and went downhill quickly over the course of a weekend. She went from fine to limping to couldn't walk and in terrible pain, and tried to bite my husband when he tried to pick her up to put her in the car for her final ride. We had to have the vet come to the house to put her to sleep because she couldn't move. I am trying to remember that though we couldn't have done anything else for Daisy because of the timing of her illness, I have the opportunity to spare Duffy the pain and misery she went through, however short. It is the one big thing I can do for him now. I don't want that ticking time bomb to explode in his heart or liver. I also think planning it is helping me come to terms with this a bit ahead of time, though I'm sure I will be a mess on Saturday. However, I am also trying to think about the happy times coming up in our family, Lauren's graduation and open house, watching Joshua play baseball, etc. Losing Duffy I know is inevitable, after all he is 14 years old, but there are happy things to think about as well. My daughter is dog-sitting for our neighbor's two Lab mixes starting tonight, for 2 weeks. I have told our neighbor Duffy won't be around when she returns, and she has generously offered her Labs for any doggy kisses or cuddles or hugs we might need. Lauren will be right there with them but I will go over whenever I need some doggy love. They are both really good at that. I don't think I want his ashes. Perhaps I sound callous, but I honestly don't know what I would do with them. I am going to get a paw print. And a friend of mine is currently painting a portrait of Duffy from a bunch of his pictures, so I will have that too, along with photographs we have taken over the last 14 years.



SnackPack	May 13 2013, 10:07 AM Post #60
You're BANNED! Posts: 4,570 Group: Members Member #238 Joined: January 8, 2007	stephjm May 13 2013, 09:05 AM I have to remember that even when he periodically acts perky, etc., he may be doing it just because I am around. My husband says when I am at work or gone Duffy just lays around. We sort of had this same situation with my stepdad. He was pretty ill at the end, but his kids couldn't see it at first, mostly because when they were around, he'd perk up. They couldn't see the deterioration as much. :hugs: to you. You ARE doing the right thing and Duffy is lucky to have you as his owner.



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