Comments on: Learning to live: Lessons from the dying http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:26:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jeff http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-476032 Jeff Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:34:52 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-476032 Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Gina.I often fear we'll be in a similar situation some day with our Flat-coat Starr. I'll remember your insights should that day come. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Gina.I often fear we’ll be in a similar situation some day with our Flat-coat Starr. I’ll remember your insights should that day come.

]]> By: Phyllis DeGioia http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475960 Phyllis DeGioia Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:01:30 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475960 Kisses to Heather - you are taking wonderful care of her, and I couldn't ask for any better care for myself. I only hope that when my time comes, someone will handle my illness the way you're handling hers. Kudoes from the bottom of my heart. Kisses to Heather - you are taking wonderful care of her, and I couldn’t ask for any better care for myself. I only hope that when my time comes, someone will handle my illness the way you’re handling hers. Kudoes from the bottom of my heart.

]]> By: Di http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475952 Di Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:07:35 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475952 When my already kidney-diseased husky was dx with a cancerous chest mass, the choice was painful surgery and chemo which might give him a few more months (if he survived the surgery)or palliative care, which I chose. He had 3 great months in which he hiked, went camping, chased mice, ate the things he loved most and played with his spaniel best friend. I have no doubt it was the right choice, just as you are making the right choice for your girl. My vet said she was sure I'd know when it was time to let him go because I was so in-tune with Tundra - and she was right. Just because we CAN do things like surgery and chemo, doesn't always mean we SHOULD. You are getting precious time and creating memories that will comfort you later. When my already kidney-diseased husky was dx with a cancerous chest mass, the choice was painful surgery and chemo which might give him a few more months (if he survived the surgery)or palliative care, which I chose. He had 3 great months in which he hiked, went camping, chased mice, ate the things he loved most and played with his spaniel best friend.

I have no doubt it was the right choice, just as you are making the right choice for your girl. My vet said she was sure I’d know when it was time to let him go because I was so in-tune with Tundra - and she was right. Just because we CAN do things like surgery and chemo, doesn’t always mean we SHOULD.

You are getting precious time and creating memories that will comfort you later.

]]> By: katie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475918 katie Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:17:59 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475918 I went through the same thing with my old dog with a probable brain tumor. He did not have pain, but rather seizures. We did various meds, adding more as his disease progressed. He was hard to live with at times- so hungry, so thirsty, so not housebroken anymore- but he still played and still nipped my butt and ran around the house at mealtimes. He went for walks, he hogged the bed. Every day I came home with my heart in my throat worried that I'd find him dead. And one night I finally came home to find him seizuring again and when the regular stuff wouldn't stop it, I took him in and let him go. It was gut-wrenching. People had been telling me for awhile I should put him down. But I don't believe he was unhappy, for all that I may have been at times (sleep deprived, stressed). I don't regret one second of it. I went through the same thing with my old dog with a probable brain tumor. He did not have pain, but rather seizures. We did various meds, adding more as his disease progressed. He was hard to live with at times- so hungry, so thirsty, so not housebroken anymore- but he still played and still nipped my butt and ran around the house at mealtimes. He went for walks, he hogged the bed. Every day I came home with my heart in my throat worried that I’d find him dead. And one night I finally came home to find him seizuring again and when the regular stuff wouldn’t stop it, I took him in and let him go.

It was gut-wrenching. People had been telling me for awhile I should put him down. But I don’t believe he was unhappy, for all that I may have been at times (sleep deprived, stressed). I don’t regret one second of it.

]]> By: Nicole Larson http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475917 Nicole Larson Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:54:22 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475917 My late cat Annabelle Hillary was given six months to a year to live after being diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. We removed the initial lumps found on her belly which led to the diagnosis, but I twice scheduled and then cancelled the recommended further surgery and chemotherapy. Instead I took her for monthly acupuncture treatments and gave her Chinese herbs on the veterinary acupuncturist's advice, along with giving her her favorite foods and lots of TLC. She lived nearly five years after the diagnosism confounding every vet's assessment. When it was time to go she told me -- the light went out of her eyes after she said her goodbyes. My late cat Annabelle Hillary was given six months to a year to live after being diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. We removed the initial lumps found on her belly which led to the diagnosis, but I twice scheduled and then cancelled the recommended further surgery and chemotherapy. Instead I took her for monthly acupuncture treatments and gave her Chinese herbs on the veterinary acupuncturist’s advice, along with giving her her favorite foods and lots of TLC. She lived nearly five years after the diagnosism confounding every vet’s assessment. When it was time to go she told me — the light went out of her eyes after she said her goodbyes.

]]> By: Judi http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475916 Judi Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:53:49 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475916 I went through a similar situation last year with my Lucy. She was 13 when breast cancer was diagnosed and had about 6 more good months before she really started to fail. Even during that last month while she was fading, she still wanted to do things her way. We worked with a communicator who let me know that Lucy often was off in another space as she prepared to leave her body, but that she was happy with how her transition was going and that we were managing her pain appropriately. At times I wasn't sure *I* could handle the long, slow (but looking back far too fast) transition, but I let Lucy make the call on when it was time to wish her godspeed and euthanize her. I am quite sure her co-owner would've euthanized her weeks before I did, but we both agreed since I was the one who lived with her, the decision was mine to make. I hope you and Heather have a beautiful autumn together. These days are tough but dogs can teach us a lot about living and dying gracefully. Hugs to you both. I went through a similar situation last year with my Lucy. She was 13 when breast cancer was diagnosed and had about 6 more good months before she really started to fail. Even during that last month while she was fading, she still wanted to do things her way. We worked with a communicator who let me know that Lucy often was off in another space as she prepared to leave her body, but that she was happy with how her transition was going and that we were managing her pain appropriately. At times I wasn’t sure *I* could handle the long, slow (but looking back far too fast) transition, but I let Lucy make the call on when it was time to wish her godspeed and euthanize her. I am quite sure her co-owner would’ve euthanized her weeks before I did, but we both agreed since I was the one who lived with her, the decision was mine to make.

I hope you and Heather have a beautiful autumn together. These days are tough but dogs can teach us a lot about living and dying gracefully. Hugs to you both.

]]> By: georg http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475907 georg Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:20:58 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475907 Kenya dog had bladder cancer, inoperable. We did essentially hospice for her for a year, and oh yes, she had the best damn food and pain management that we could do for her, and she let us know when it was time. It still hurts like hell, but I have no guilt, and I can remember her with joy. /hugs/ to you. You know you're doing it right. Kenya dog had bladder cancer, inoperable. We did essentially hospice for her for a year, and oh yes, she had the best damn food and pain management that we could do for her, and she let us know when it was time. It still hurts like hell, but I have no guilt, and I can remember her with joy.

/hugs/ to you. You know you’re doing it right.

]]> By: Rochelle Lesser http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475883 Rochelle Lesser Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:42:53 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475883 I recently learned much more about Pet Hospice as well. It is wonderful that you are trying to follow Heather's lead on this. That is the best anyone can do. For folks who want to learn more about hospice, go to: http://cancer.landofpuregold.com/hospice.htm I recently learned much more about Pet Hospice as well. It is wonderful that you are trying to follow Heather’s lead on this. That is the best anyone can do.

For folks who want to learn more about hospice, go to:
http://cancer.landofpuregold.com/hospice.htm

]]> By: Verde http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475878 Verde Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:44:38 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475878 Long live the queen. Long live the queen.

]]> By: Glenye Oakford http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/09/26/learning-to-live-lessons-from-the-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-475876 Glenye Oakford Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:57:55 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=9211#comment-475876 A quick postscript: re-reading your post, I think you should have no doubts. Heather sounds as if she is very bright and interested in life, food, the people around her, and you are managing her discomfort. I have no doubt that you both will know when it is time, and I think you'll be very glad you had this time now together. A quick postscript: re-reading your post, I think you should have no doubts. Heather sounds as if she is very bright and interested in life, food, the people around her, and you are managing her discomfort. I have no doubt that you both will know when it is time, and I think you’ll be very glad you had this time now together.

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