I am in a very similar position with our dog Luna. She was rescued from a previous life of neglect and has now lived with us for 6 years. She was very unwell before Xmas and I found out from the vet about the process of having her 'put down'. She has recently found her bark (at long last) and is having a series of good days. I am scared that I may neglect her needs over mine in these last few months. But I am also told I will know, when the time comes. Sending you kind thoughts and totally understand how you feel.
We were asked to care for Jackson during a week when my ex had to travel overseas. He was in a worse shape than I’d expected. Coughing and staggering across the lawn every second hour. Unable to jump up into the sofa. We administered the medicine and I made some nourishing meals.
Saturday afternoon he suddenly refused to walk on the gravel road down to the mailbox, sat down and then turned around. Heading for the mountain foothills he walked through the woodlands behind our cottage. With gusto! No coughing or trembling or hesitation. He turned to look back at me, making sure that I followed along. Suddenly he seemed content and solemn. I waited for him while he rested. We returned home and he jumped up into the sofa.
We said goodbye the next day, returning him to my ex. One week later he resumed coughing again and died.
A year ago - the same position, dear Wendy. The long slow ache of misery, knowing it’ll only end one way. What helped me was touching him and hugging him (so smelly and damp) whenever I could in full knowledge that this would matter, to know that I had done this, that I had taken the time to appreciate and acknowledge the short time left with him, although there was no date... for me it suddenly became obvious that it was time - a kind of resigned quiet, still painful- and having spent time with him consciously appreciating him (just as you are with your boy) makes every bit of difference... all love to you and your husband and to your lovely boy thinking of you hard 😢😢❤️❤️❤️
I am in a very similar position with our dog Luna. She was rescued from a previous life of neglect and has now lived with us for 6 years. She was very unwell before Xmas and I found out from the vet about the process of having her 'put down'. She has recently found her bark (at long last) and is having a series of good days. I am scared that I may neglect her needs over mine in these last few months. But I am also told I will know, when the time comes. Sending you kind thoughts and totally understand how you feel.
I’m sending you and Luna love xxx
Thank you, to you and your boy too. May these last times be filled with love and fond memories. X
We were asked to care for Jackson during a week when my ex had to travel overseas. He was in a worse shape than I’d expected. Coughing and staggering across the lawn every second hour. Unable to jump up into the sofa. We administered the medicine and I made some nourishing meals.
Saturday afternoon he suddenly refused to walk on the gravel road down to the mailbox, sat down and then turned around. Heading for the mountain foothills he walked through the woodlands behind our cottage. With gusto! No coughing or trembling or hesitation. He turned to look back at me, making sure that I followed along. Suddenly he seemed content and solemn. I waited for him while he rested. We returned home and he jumped up into the sofa.
We said goodbye the next day, returning him to my ex. One week later he resumed coughing again and died.
You’ll know...
A year ago - the same position, dear Wendy. The long slow ache of misery, knowing it’ll only end one way. What helped me was touching him and hugging him (so smelly and damp) whenever I could in full knowledge that this would matter, to know that I had done this, that I had taken the time to appreciate and acknowledge the short time left with him, although there was no date... for me it suddenly became obvious that it was time - a kind of resigned quiet, still painful- and having spent time with him consciously appreciating him (just as you are with your boy) makes every bit of difference... all love to you and your husband and to your lovely boy thinking of you hard 😢😢❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, this helps xx
Beautiful description of the anguish. Each dog, each grief is different. Xx