"I Will Come For You, If You Ask Me To..."

[psalm_onethirtyone]

Well. It turns out that the Yellow Dog's halitosis is not actually halitosis, it's two septic wounds. One's under his ear, and enormous, and may have a tumour in it--we aren't totally clear on what the large bleeding round protrusion is. He also has one on his elbow. The ear one had maggots in it, which Mama and I cleaned out, and we doctored him up and gave him pain pills and silver sulfadine and what-have-you, and the vet is coming to-morrow, but--

The Yellow Dog has been sick for a long time. He is mostly blind, mostly deaf, and so arthritic that he can't climb stairs. I think that the wounds are really the last straw, and he needs to be put down. I really don't know how to suggest to Mama--she is pretty much convinced that the whole thing is her fault. "If I had looked at him properly! If I hadn't assumed! I'm the worst Mama any dog ever had." She is being quietly self-hateful about it all. She is also convinced that she can fix him up with her wound supplies.

But he just seems so miserable. He lay on the kitchen floor all day and whimpered. He is not a happy dog anymore. And he's old.

Also, my Calico Cat has definitely got tapeworm, so that will be fun.

The Black Cat and the Black Dog are, God help us and knock on wood, both fine, although Black Dog may never forgive me for snagging her and hacking all the burrs out of her coat with a machete (read: scissors) this evening.

And everybody is unhappy, and that makes me feel--responsible. Very responsible. I know, I do know, that everyone's unhappiness is not something I should single-handedly be able to alleviate, but, God. Sometimes I feel that way anyway. It is not a good-for-the-stomach feeling.

Comments

[nowgoesquickly.livejournal.com]

Hm. If it's a tumor, it may be for the best to let him go. Especially if he's old and has preexisting health problems.

But still. Poor Soujin, and her Doggy. And her Mama. *cuddles you all*

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

The other thing is that we're going on vacation in a week and he is going to be boarded at a kennel, and if he takes a turn for the worse and they have to put him down while we're away, I thinks he would just die--I mean, if it has to happen it seems like it would be best to do it now while she could be with him.

But I just don't know! It is so hard to make that decision about something else's life.

*leans on*

[nowgoesquickly.livejournal.com]

It's about the hardest choice a person can have to make -- what's best for something that can't speak for itself.

I agree with the person below who said to ask the vet's input. If s/he thinks that the dog's quality of life is already slipping, then euthanasia may be the way to go. And at least it will be peaceful and gentle, and you can be with him. *huggles*

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

It is, it is. It doesn't seem fair no matter what you choose.

The vet gave us medicine for two months, which she says is a generous estimate.

[ldragoon.livejournal.com]

I would say let the vet take a look. If he/she thinks your boy can realistically recover from the wounds, I would say give him a chance. If the cancer is totally inoperable/fatal though...yeah, I'd say let him go before he's really in pain.

However, it's up to you guys! You know him, and you will know when it's time to let him go. Whatever decision you guys make, you've got my best wishes. I know how hard it is.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

It just seems like he's really in pain now, you know? I think he's ready. But I don't think Mama is ready much at all.

[ldragoon.livejournal.com]

When it comes down to it though, she may change her mind. Maybe when the vet comes and examines your boy, you can take the vet aside and ask them what they think. If the vet recommends euthanasia, the two of you could gently speak to your mother about it.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

Yes. That is true.

[ldragoon.livejournal.com]

HUGS! I know how hard this is. I really feel for you guys. Wish I could help. :(

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

♥ Thank you.

[josiana.livejournal.com]

The poor thing. I hope the vet can do something for him. :(

*clings*

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

I really do too.

[mhari.livejournal.com]

Oh, Sandy. :(

*snuggles you and your mama*

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

*clingsto*

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

There's been a bit of a flea plague in Sydney this year - everybody's been complaining that their pets have got 'em. Poor Frank and Tim kept getting them, triggering heaps of hoovering and spraying and powdering and combing and flea squishing, but I thought it was over and done with - then two days ago I saw another of the little buggers dancing cheekily on one of Frank's paws. I always feel like such a Bad Pudew Mummy when it happens, even though I guess with a plague on it's kind of inevitable. But as usual, emergency flea dispelling measures have done the trick.

tl;dr Pets are mostly wonderful but sometimes doleful. :(

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

♥