I’m so sorry. We lost our “once in a lifetime” dog in May 2020 to a heart condition and are waiting for our ancient kitty to succumb to the thyroid cancer we’re choosing not to treat (he’s 19). Your writing about the equal parts heroism (wait, I’m taking my dog to a heart $peciali$t? of course I am...) and familial frustration (just poop already! Whyyyy are you peeing on everything....) really strikes home. Thank you for being so open about the grieving process with pets. We truly invest our hearts in them. ♥️
So beautifully written--I don’t think I could write anywhere near this well in the midst of fatigue and such emotion. I would need to wait until it’s in the rearview mirror. Take care & good luck! I will link to this in an animal-oriented bonus post I’m writing now.
There is a nudge from the gods when we begin the final dances with our animals. It says, “ take each moment and each day as the gift it always was ”. That’s all we can do, but having that awareness makes all the difference. Hugs and nuzzles to Cooper and you too !
Sending you and coop lots of love and some giggly delusion vibes to offset the exhaustion and grief (they do go hand in hand, often). Even though Cooper has lived the best life ever and you’ve gotten a lot of time with him, it doesn’t make dealing with this any easier, especially on the tail of everything with Snoots, so I’m so sorry you’re going thru this 🩷. The way you love and take care of your animal family is so very moving.
I'm so sorry. Sending you love and hugs. Having a sick pet is just the worst. My 13.5 year old Belgian shepherd was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia when he was around 12.5. He had a spleen abnormality that started showing up on scans shortly after that diagnosis. Naturally, we received the diagnosis in the middle of Covid when we were getting ready to move out of state. I had to find a new specialist for him and put his name on every waiting list I could, just praying that an internal medicine doctor would be able to take him as a patient before things took a serious turn. The parking lot of the hospital where we eventually got in was a place I spent countless hours waiting and hoping. We treated him with a serious cocktail of meds for the TCP and then debated doing surgery for a splenectomy, but the details of that procedure presented as a double-edged sword where there seemed to be no right answer. The doctors were concerned about his spleen bursting, and I kept asking what that would look like. I wanted to know what to expect so I could be ready. It did eventually happen, and I was not ready at all. There was no way to be ready for it. I felt like a fool driving him to the animal hospital and trying to keep a positive attitude about it when I knew deep down he was not coming home with me. Sometimes I wish I had had the courage to just be an absolute mess on that ride, but I wanted to hold it together so as not to stress him out even more. I held him in my arms until the very end. I guess all of that is to say, I feel your pain, your fatigue, and your love for Cooper. He is so lucky to have you, and you, him. It is such a difficult and draining situation, and it is absolutely worth as many 500-mile trips as it takes to get him care.
So much love to you guys. 💛💛💛 Another heartbreakingly beautiful read. Feeling these brutal life experiences is such an honor in appreciation, as absolutely-fucking-terrible (yet, exhilarating in a way too, maybe?) as it feels. Cheers to enjoying every ounce of sunshine and joy with your best boy! ⛰️🌻🐶🥲
I met Cooper a handful of times back in the day when dogs could come to the office, but he is a dog I always remember. A dog all the other dogs wanted to be. Loving our animals so much is what makes the thought of even saying our future goodbyes so hard. The joy of this journey as you described is the preparation for the parade, and we’ll celebrate now and always the good boy he is. Sending healing vibes and love to both ❤️
Well written and it sent me looking up your Guardian article on Snoots. Our babies bring us so much joy and comfort, but there are the difficult, sad times as well. Hoping Cooper adds some more time to the clock with this treatment and - you know - lots of us are pulling for both of you.
He hasn't lost control of faculties, he just passes out. If I was passing out unexpectedly, then returning to my normal self unsure of what happened, I would love to be driven 500 miles to a specialist.
That CSU vet hospital is incredible. The vets and staff there helped us through a traumatic pet loss and we were treated with compassion at every turn. When our poor Jakey didn't make it, the vets who operated on them came into the room and they both were in tears as they shared the news that they couldn't save them. The vets and interns and staff helped my kids process their grief. I'll never forget the empathy and kindness we experienced during one of the shittiest times of our lives.
Looking back years later, what I remember more than the trauma was that you never forget the tiny kindnesses people bestow upon you during a time like this. It started a process of healing even in the midst of it.
I hope you the medication helps, I hope your pup gets to enjoy many more sunny days with you.
What an absolute champ you both are. I love this line: “When I tell you I am tired of driving across the state for my animals, I am saying I would do it again and again.”
I’m so sorry. We lost our “once in a lifetime” dog in May 2020 to a heart condition and are waiting for our ancient kitty to succumb to the thyroid cancer we’re choosing not to treat (he’s 19). Your writing about the equal parts heroism (wait, I’m taking my dog to a heart $peciali$t? of course I am...) and familial frustration (just poop already! Whyyyy are you peeing on everything....) really strikes home. Thank you for being so open about the grieving process with pets. We truly invest our hearts in them. ♥️
So beautifully written--I don’t think I could write anywhere near this well in the midst of fatigue and such emotion. I would need to wait until it’s in the rearview mirror. Take care & good luck! I will link to this in an animal-oriented bonus post I’m writing now.
There is a nudge from the gods when we begin the final dances with our animals. It says, “ take each moment and each day as the gift it always was ”. That’s all we can do, but having that awareness makes all the difference. Hugs and nuzzles to Cooper and you too !
Sending you and coop lots of love and some giggly delusion vibes to offset the exhaustion and grief (they do go hand in hand, often). Even though Cooper has lived the best life ever and you’ve gotten a lot of time with him, it doesn’t make dealing with this any easier, especially on the tail of everything with Snoots, so I’m so sorry you’re going thru this 🩷. The way you love and take care of your animal family is so very moving.
I'm so sorry. Sending you love and hugs. Having a sick pet is just the worst. My 13.5 year old Belgian shepherd was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia when he was around 12.5. He had a spleen abnormality that started showing up on scans shortly after that diagnosis. Naturally, we received the diagnosis in the middle of Covid when we were getting ready to move out of state. I had to find a new specialist for him and put his name on every waiting list I could, just praying that an internal medicine doctor would be able to take him as a patient before things took a serious turn. The parking lot of the hospital where we eventually got in was a place I spent countless hours waiting and hoping. We treated him with a serious cocktail of meds for the TCP and then debated doing surgery for a splenectomy, but the details of that procedure presented as a double-edged sword where there seemed to be no right answer. The doctors were concerned about his spleen bursting, and I kept asking what that would look like. I wanted to know what to expect so I could be ready. It did eventually happen, and I was not ready at all. There was no way to be ready for it. I felt like a fool driving him to the animal hospital and trying to keep a positive attitude about it when I knew deep down he was not coming home with me. Sometimes I wish I had had the courage to just be an absolute mess on that ride, but I wanted to hold it together so as not to stress him out even more. I held him in my arms until the very end. I guess all of that is to say, I feel your pain, your fatigue, and your love for Cooper. He is so lucky to have you, and you, him. It is such a difficult and draining situation, and it is absolutely worth as many 500-mile trips as it takes to get him care.
Sending you lots of good vibes, prayers, and a virtual hug. It is the hardest thing and it is still worth it.
So much love to you guys. 💛💛💛 Another heartbreakingly beautiful read. Feeling these brutal life experiences is such an honor in appreciation, as absolutely-fucking-terrible (yet, exhilarating in a way too, maybe?) as it feels. Cheers to enjoying every ounce of sunshine and joy with your best boy! ⛰️🌻🐶🥲
You know I get this feeling, and I'm feeling it with you. Sending you and Cooper so much love and rest.
I met Cooper a handful of times back in the day when dogs could come to the office, but he is a dog I always remember. A dog all the other dogs wanted to be. Loving our animals so much is what makes the thought of even saying our future goodbyes so hard. The joy of this journey as you described is the preparation for the parade, and we’ll celebrate now and always the good boy he is. Sending healing vibes and love to both ❤️
Well written and it sent me looking up your Guardian article on Snoots. Our babies bring us so much joy and comfort, but there are the difficult, sad times as well. Hoping Cooper adds some more time to the clock with this treatment and - you know - lots of us are pulling for both of you.
Losing a pet is extremely difficult.
I’m curious, if you had lost control of your faculties (such as bowel movements), would you want to be driven 500+ miles?
After moving him to elevation at age 12, have you considered his quality of life?
I believe in death with dignity for pets.
He hasn't lost control of faculties, he just passes out. If I was passing out unexpectedly, then returning to my normal self unsure of what happened, I would love to be driven 500 miles to a specialist.
Here's to the time we have left and the time enjoyed, indeed. Hope you and Coop are back home soon, and you're all feeling the love from near and far.
I’m so sorry to hear this (harrowing) news. Hoping for plenty of sweet days together! And some delicious sleep in your own bed when you get home.
That CSU vet hospital is incredible. The vets and staff there helped us through a traumatic pet loss and we were treated with compassion at every turn. When our poor Jakey didn't make it, the vets who operated on them came into the room and they both were in tears as they shared the news that they couldn't save them. The vets and interns and staff helped my kids process their grief. I'll never forget the empathy and kindness we experienced during one of the shittiest times of our lives.
Looking back years later, what I remember more than the trauma was that you never forget the tiny kindnesses people bestow upon you during a time like this. It started a process of healing even in the midst of it.
I hope you the medication helps, I hope your pup gets to enjoy many more sunny days with you.
What an absolute champ you both are. I love this line: “When I tell you I am tired of driving across the state for my animals, I am saying I would do it again and again.”
♥️♥️♥️