Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Skippy
I had to do one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do this past Saturday.
I decided to euthanize Skippy.
Wow. That was so weird typing that last sentence… I think I’m still in the “denial” phase of grief…
Long story short, but back in August, Skippy had a major stroke. Well, the vet called it something else, but basically that is what it was—some major episode that effected her nervous system. They told me at that time that she would be almost totally fine, but she wasn’t. She was never the same. The hardest part to explain is that she just wasn’t herself. There was a complete blank look in her eyes. She didn’t care about any human contact, never cared about getting petted, never jumped up on the couch to snuggle. She didn’t seem to recognize anyone. She had been going to the bathroom inside (#1 and #2) for months—even though she went out many times a day. She would go to the bathroom while we were sitting in the same room as her! Although she ate constantly (dog food and snacks dropped by Ellie),she acted like she was constantly STARVING. All she did all day long was search and search and search for food. She was starting to nip Ellie. Even though her teeth were dull and Ellie never seemed to care… She was almost completely deaf.
The vet said that was she had was equivalent to human Alzeimers… and it was not a mild case. If it were mild, they would have recommended a drug therapy that could have helped a little—but in her case probably wouldn’t have done anything.
So, anyway, we decided this was what was best for her—and I know best for our family, but it sure doesn’t feel like that yet…
She was a wonderful, easy going, go-with-the-flow, sweet, caring dog who went through so much with me. She meant the world to me and I can’t even begin to express how much she will be missed by everyone who knew her.
I decided to euthanize Skippy.
Wow. That was so weird typing that last sentence… I think I’m still in the “denial” phase of grief…
Long story short, but back in August, Skippy had a major stroke. Well, the vet called it something else, but basically that is what it was—some major episode that effected her nervous system. They told me at that time that she would be almost totally fine, but she wasn’t. She was never the same. The hardest part to explain is that she just wasn’t herself. There was a complete blank look in her eyes. She didn’t care about any human contact, never cared about getting petted, never jumped up on the couch to snuggle. She didn’t seem to recognize anyone. She had been going to the bathroom inside (#1 and #2) for months—even though she went out many times a day. She would go to the bathroom while we were sitting in the same room as her! Although she ate constantly (dog food and snacks dropped by Ellie),she acted like she was constantly STARVING. All she did all day long was search and search and search for food. She was starting to nip Ellie. Even though her teeth were dull and Ellie never seemed to care… She was almost completely deaf.
The vet said that was she had was equivalent to human Alzeimers… and it was not a mild case. If it were mild, they would have recommended a drug therapy that could have helped a little—but in her case probably wouldn’t have done anything.
So, anyway, we decided this was what was best for her—and I know best for our family, but it sure doesn’t feel like that yet…
She was a wonderful, easy going, go-with-the-flow, sweet, caring dog who went through so much with me. She meant the world to me and I can’t even begin to express how much she will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
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