Monday blues: Facing the hard parts of life with pets
By Gina Spadafori
August 25, 2008
Heather is almost 12, which is a pretty good run for a retriever. Although slowing down in the last year or so, she has nonetheless maintained a good attitude towards life and a keen interest in staying an active part of it. With the addition of a life jacket, she was even able to resume her river swims this summer.
Yesterday things took a bad turn for her, rather abruptly. Won’t have a diagnosis until tomorrow, but no matter what it is, good meds are now making her feel fine, almost back to normal, even if all they’re doing is masking what I fear will be a life-ending diagnosis. (Yeah, I’m the optimistic sort.)
If the news turns out for the worst, however, I am relieved to know that palliative care appears to be option for her (based on her good response to meds), and I won’t have to be saying good-bye, like, uh, today. Or tomorrow. Or the day after.
It’s all about the quality of life, baby! Long life the Queen.
(Pictured: Heather getting a kiss from Otter, the puppy I raised for a friend earlier this year. Otter’s doing great now, by the way, in her permanent home.)
I’m going to keep a good thought for Heather. And for you, who I’m sure needs it more.
Comment by slt — August 25, 2008 @ 7:06 am
We will keep you and Heather in our hearts.
Comment by Dutch — August 25, 2008 @ 7:20 am
You have my empathy, it’s the toughest part of the whole relationship.
Paws crossed for Heather.
Comment by Caveat — August 25, 2008 @ 7:25 am
Well wishes Heather girl! You’ve still got swimming to do!
Comment by Lori — August 25, 2008 @ 8:18 am
Oh, hugs to you both! I’m sitting here crying for you as I have an old guy who could take a turn for the worse at any time, too.
It’s so hard to watch them get old. But we love them SO much while they’re still with us.
Know my thoughts are with you.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — August 25, 2008 @ 8:20 am
Thinking good thoughts for y’all. My Bouncer dog will be 12 this year. He’s had a couple of chronic conditions for most of his life, but meds and care have kept him going. And throughout it all, he’s been The Sweetest Dog on Earth.
Comment by Janice in GA — August 25, 2008 @ 8:21 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Heather.
Comment by 2CatMom — August 25, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Best wishes to Heather!
I keep telling my dogs that they’re not allowed to get old. I’m not sure it’s working.
Comment by katie — August 25, 2008 @ 10:03 am
Best wishes to Heather and to you.
Will keep my fingers crossed it’s just a bump in the road and not anything more dire
Comment by JenniferJ — August 25, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Sending good wishes to Heather and you too…I am glad to hear she is feeling fine now….hoping for the best news…for both of you.
Comment by Carol V — August 25, 2008 @ 10:10 am
My dogs are not allowed to get old or sick either, and I tell them everyday. My Dad always said, “if only love could give them more years”…. my thoughts are with you….
Comment by nancy freedman-smith — August 25, 2008 @ 10:16 am
My thoughts and hopes are with you Heather. Keep going girl, I want to continue seeing more pictures and hear more stories.
Comment by CLynch — August 25, 2008 @ 10:27 am
Good thoughts for Heather and for you.
Comment by Lis — August 25, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Gina, we’re thinking good thoughts for Heather. There’s never enough time with our special old ones.
Comment by Carol — August 25, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Gina sending positive thoughts to you and heather. Hope this is something easily controlled with meds.
Comment by Leslie K — August 25, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Here’s to you and Heather! As my father used to say “Getting old is not for the faint of heart.” I have never wanted my parents and my cats and dogs over the years to suffer the infirmities of getting old, and to die. It should be written and cast in stone that those we love live as long as we do.
Whatever ails Heather, I hope the palliative care will maintain her in comfort for as long as possible. As for you, you have created/fostered/nourished/culltivated a community of people here; most of whom you’ve never met, who care deeply about you and your beloved dog, wish you both all the very best and are just an Internet connection away to offer whatever support/succor we can.
Comment by Anne T — August 25, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Good thoughts to Heather and you Gina. God bless.
Comment by VJ — August 25, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
I still base my opinion that there is a hidden AR agenda behind the evolution of this BBC program. This video may have influenced me.
http://tinyurl.com/6zyex7
If it influenced me unfairly, I don’t apologize. The AR threat to all companion animal ownership is too real to be ignored.
However, I am vastly interested in this discussion Christie’s orginal post has engendered, and although I suspect it wasn’t serious, I welcome Gina’s idea of a blog/forum/whatever where those of us who have met with frustration regarding our Breed clubs, other breeders, the AKC et alia can meet and hash over/ disagree/argue about what we see at fault, and maybe gain the courage to confront it and work to change the system as it now stands. I suspect there is a couple dozen manure spreader loads of us who have similar stories.
Yes, I am thinking of changing my name to Pollyanna, the eternal optimist. For me, I bought my last breed dog ( the only one I purchased)from small breeders who value Performance as much if not more so than the Breed ring, and my dog is one of the first, if not the first CHIC litter in the breed. Whoopty do. reading the comments, I feel most of you have dismissed that as meaningless trash.
I do have to say though, that trashing another’s breed of choice is not going to win any of you any prizes or get your message listened to. I don’t care whether it’s FlatCoats or CCs , BCs, ESs, Cavaliers or Deerhounds, Great Danes or Pugs. We all have our genetic skeletons in the the closet. We all need to find a way to get past the bullpucky and breed better, sounder, healthier dogs and demand them of our breeders!
If you can’t bother to post what accomplishments your pet puppies, or your retired Chs gone to new homes have acheived in Performance sports, I am not interested in buying a puppy from you. I want to see what your line does outside of the breed ring. After all, your puppy is destined to be my friend, companion, soul mate and family member for life!
Comment by Anne T — August 25, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Gina, lots of prayers and strength for you & quality for Heather. Always a sad time, no matter why or when. Barbara
Comment by Barbara A. Albright — August 25, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Ohhh, Gina, I’m so sorry to hear about Heather, but I’m glad the meds are helping. Hopefully it be a while yet before you have to say goodbye.
Comment by Therese — August 25, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Gina, Russ and I are sending big hugs to you and Heather tonight. You’ll be in our thoughts and prayers.
Comment by Nadine L. — August 25, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
The blog is full of compassion for you and Heather, and I just want to add my hopeful thoughts for a good prognosis for Heather.
I have gone through the aging of my animals many times, and it is TOUGH—but support from humans makes it a little easier to bear.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — August 26, 2008 @ 5:29 am
Invoking the protection of the Dog Gods here for the old girl whom I have to assume is my namesake.
Comment by H. Houlahan — August 26, 2008 @ 11:27 am
I know how you feel my pet cat is about 16 and she has definately slowed down and has some minor surgery over the last year.
Now i now that somtime in the not to distant future things could change.
Sending you lots of good positive thoughts for your dog :)
Comment by Kate — August 26, 2008 @ 11:41 am