Last week I wrote a post about my dog Princeton. I took him to the vet to have dental work done and his blood test came back that he had a damaged liver and damaged kidneys. The dental surgery would be risky because of the anethesia. Because he also had an infection showing in his blood work, I asked the vet to go ahead with the surgery. I felt that if he survived the surgery then he would then be doing much better having had his bad teeth (possibly infected teeth) taken out.
There is good news and bad news. Is doing somewhat better with the bad teeth taken out. But the bad news is, he is starting to get very confused. That is breaking my heart.
He has a follow up appointment this afternoon with the vet. I'm not sure what he is going to tell me. In other words, I'm not sure how much longer I will have my sweet Princeton.
Those of us who have pets know they are part of our family. My pets are my “fur children”. When they get old and their quality of life becomes greatly decreased, we must make tough decisions.
Several of my family members allowed their pets to suffer extensively before having them put down. I kept telling my mom her dog was really suffering and she refused to believe me because she didn't appear to be suffering to her. It was so sad and difficult for me to watch. Animals don't show their suffering in the way we humans do. For us to watch for signs of “human suffering” in our pets to determine whether they are suffering or not, is mindless and cruel. And I refuse to do that with my pets.
My sweet Princeton was an adult dog when I found him at the animal shelter eleven years ago. He was extremely emaciated, sick with a respiratory infection, and had to be left at the veternarians overnight with an IV drip. After that, he blossomed into one of the best dogs I have ever had.
Princeton is my “velcro” dog. He wants to be “attached” to me wherever I am (lying next to me where he is touching me or right by my side wherever I go). And, he mourns when I am not with him.
He loves loves loves treats and food, and in that order. He loves going with me when I drive somewhere so he can stick his head out of the window. His ears are flying in the wind and I am sure the scene is very comical to other drivers.
Hopefully, this is not me writing his eulogy. Something tells me that is very likely. If that is true, then it is better for me to write it now rather than later. Otherwise, I would not be able to do so.
Ah. He’s beautiful P.J. I hope it’s not bad news this afternoon.
That is really not his picture, he won’t let me take a picture of him (turns his head), so I borrowed this one from Pinterest. It looks like him, when he is feeling good.
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Bless him.
:o)
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Thank you for your comforting words. I am not sure what the vet will say. It is 50/50.
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Praying for your sake and his it’s good news.
Thank you again. :o)
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Sending you strength and peace this afternoon. ((hugs))
Thank you so very much! I appreciate your reading and commenting.
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Oh, sweet doggie Princeton, PJ loves you a whole bunch. This is so obvious. I hope you will stay attached like velcro for a while longer, poochie.
Thank you Mark! I appreciate your comments and comforting words.
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Oh, be still my heart. My favorite dog was a liver and white Springer named Max. Alas, I had to make the hard decision when he was diagnosed with cancer. Saying a prayer for you now, my friend.
Thank you so much Susan! We just got back from the vet and he didn’t recommend he be euthanized, nor did I. He still has some infection in his blood stream so he gave me more antibiotics for him. Hopefully, things will get better for him now, at least for awhile. :o) I am so sorry to hear about Max. That is certainly a very tough decision. They are like children to us. May he rest in peace and be there waiting for you in heaven. :o)
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He is beautiful sending lots of love and hugs for both you and Princeton
Thank you Ives. The picture isn’t of him. I could not get him to look at me when I took his picture, he kept turning his head. So I found a picture that looks like him.
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Awww feel so pained to hear about Princeton 😦 How is he doing now ? I hope he is recovering well and his liver and kidney can be treated. you are so right that animals do not show symptoms of pain and suffering as humans do. Only those who love animals can feel, detect and empathise with their suffering. It infuriates me when people ‘buy’ animals because they can ‘afford’ them and not because they want to share their love and care for them.
All my best wishes to Velcro Princeton to get well and heal. You will be amazed how much your love can help him recover. Our vet gave up on our dog and gave him just a month when he had a stroke and couldn’t walk. You will be surprised to know, he lived a year and a half more, was back on his feet and recovered completely with just our care, love and basic vitamins.
Wow, that is wonderful about your dog! Princeton is doing “fairly” well. He still had a bit of infection in his blood and was put on more antibiotics. He has arthritis pretty bad. He seems to be getting better day by day. He still gets confused sometimes, but that could either be from age, or not feeling well from the infection. Thank you for your concern. 🙂
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