Almost there...

[Alex's Mom]

It's been stinking hot and humid here the last few days, and really hard on the dogs. I was in meetings all day in the next town over so didn't get home for lunch today and when I got home around 3 the kitchen was covered in vomit and diarrhea. (Sorry...) Heidi was nonresponsive at first, and I thought maybe heat stroke despite the fan in front of their spot in the kitchen, but she wasn't panting at all. I got her into tepid water to bring her body temp down and put her back in front of the fan while I called the vet. They said to bring her right in...this is my emergency vet about an hour away, not Barry who is 2 hours away. She'd perked up by the time we got there, no doubt the air conditioned car. But there was still lots going on so Jacinta did bloods and we got Barry's to send her last set to compare. Not good. Not good at all. My little girl is in kidney failure. They've got less than 20% function. They gave me some subQ fluids and sent me home with a bag of Ringers lactate to give her some every 2 to 3 days, depending on how she does. This is exactly how it went with Jules. Jacinta of course wouldn't say exactly how long, but says it's days or weeks, not months. My poor poor little old lady. Ferk is waiting for her...what a happy reunion that will be. My only small glimmer of comfort.

[oceangirls]

My heart hurts for you.

There is certainly no "best" way to lose a dog. My hairstylist just came home a week ago to find her little 2-year-old doxie boy had died unexpectedly in his sleep. My own sweet boy died at the vet without us in the room after a quick crisis... I was with my mom for 2 of the 3 she had to make the tough, uncertain decision for... and my two beautiful heart dog girls relaxed into peace from suffering while I held them in my arms.

I guess maybe it's best to know time is very short, and be able to say your goodbyes? All I know for sure is that it is never the wrong time to let them go when the decision is made with love. Well, I know that 99% of the time... sometimes I ask, if there weren't a hurricane coming that meant I had to make a split second decision what to do with my girl who was being evacuated from the vet hospital while on oxygen and declining despite the strongest antibiotics... could that have been different? And then a little voice in my brain says, lovingly, "shut up, mama, it was my time." [emoji173]

An awesome responsibility, indeed.

Again, what I am saying is... my heart hurts for you. What a wonderful reunion she and Ferk will have, though. I'd like to see that! Angi probably would have lived longer if she hadn't lost her sister, annoying as she usually found her.

Much peace and love and hugs to you and this baby girl.

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[Alex's Mom]

Nope. It's all loss. I've been very lucky in that all except for Ferk went as the result of a health crisis, and she was certainly past her best before date, but her spirit was so very strong. And it was in a sense still a health crisis cuz she wouldn't have managed the 6 weeks I was off with my new hip after the surgery. It's easier from a decision making point of view. I've made an appt to take her in for next Tuesday just in case, but appt's can be canceled. It may be sooner too... things usually turn out the way the Universe means them to in my experience. Damn it.....

[RustysMom]

my heart hurts for you to read this. Prayers for Heidi during this time. She waited for you to come home and rush her to vet, maybe her way of saying "I'm not ready yet" but time will come soon. Like Kim said, its better knowing when then it be a surprise I suppose. I fear coming home one day and one of the pups passed while no one there. I dont know why I have this fear, Ive never experience it before. Please keep us updated on her :bighug:

[alfina]

:bighug:

[Rae]

Well this just sucks.

You just keep putting your heart out there, and it keeps getting stomped on... you amaze me.

Giving these sweet babies a home for however long... I admire and respect you so much for doing so, no matter the cost (financial and emotional) to yourself.

[Alex's Mom]

Well, somebody's got to :) But I think I'm going to take a break over the winter. I need some time to recharge me and my bank account. And my heart. You don't bounce back quite as quickly at 60, I'm finding.

Heidi's hanging in there, but Bussy's start to flag a bit. One day at a time.....

[Lisa]

Sending you all my love. I am getting used to the ups and downs now that I have seniors. The one thing that binds us all together is we are all amazing dog parents. And we will be her when it is time, because we know the pain and truly understand the loss.

There is nothing wrong with taking a break.

[Rae]

Not to be the devil's advocate... but the last time you were going to take a break? How'd that work out for you?
:scratch:

Thinking of you as things ebb and flow, sweet friend.

[Alex's Mom]

Not to be the devil's advocate... but the last time you were going to take a break? How'd that work out for you?
:scratch:

:rotfl::rotfl: well, I think it was 3 weeks between Alex and James and Jules, not quite the 6 months I was aiming for. I did however manage 3 months between James and Patti! :) However, I'm going to Portugal for 2 weeks in February, and the logistics of getting them looked after have become increasingly difficult since moving to Antigonish aka too far from everywhere. So I was kinda thinking I'd take a break til I get back and see where we're at. I travel a fair bit with this job and it's a challenge with having no back up system for anything, pretty much.

[lotsadox]

I'm not sure how I missed this. I've had my share of ups and downs the last year. I'm still thinking about adopting another, but not there yet. I still have 2 seniors, although they dont' act like it and I'm not sure how much I'm up to. Take a bit of a break, Paula, re-coup financially and emotionally and you'll all be better for it. These little guys sure can be hard on a person. But their lovable little selves are SO worth it.

[oceangirls]

Kind of wish someone would just hand us a wienerdog. Rae, maybe your friend Amy can hook me up? The longer you wait, the easier it is to overthink. But it will happen someday.

Also, kind of want a cat. What?

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[Rae]

Ya gotta remember that you have posted your address on DLC, and I heart Florida. I cannot imagine you and Kirk being dogless for this long. It hurts my heart.

[Alex's Mom]

Heidi has been doing great the last week or so. So great that I'm taking her into see Barry this morning to recheck everything.Plus, apparently when you do a kidney work up, you're supposed to do a urinealysis to check specific gravity and that wasn't done on the emergency call. So we'll see what there is to see. But I've had a lot of dying dogs over the years, including two from kidney failure, and she is not acting like a dying dog!! Hopefully the reports of her imminent demise are greatly exaggerated!

[Lisa]

Great update! After Butters this week, I can't take any more. Hang in there Heidi :bigrayz::bigrayz::bigrayz::bigrayz:

[Alex's Mom]

What happened to Butters??? :shocked:

Well! In the ever changing medical world that is my dogs :rolleyes: ... She is definitely in stage 1 of kidney disease, but not stage 4. Her bloods were a LOT better, although still a bit out of whack. But not like it was. Barry however thinks it was a heart event of some kind; her heart has gotten a LOT worse in the last month. So she's got an appt with a cardiologist next week to see what's going on and what to do going forward, if anything. However, as Barry said, today is most definitely not the day!!! :cheer3::cheer3::cheer3::cheer3::cheer3:

[alfina]

It is common for cardiac issues to impact kidneys. For example, heart failure patients often shows kidney function to decline because of poor blood circulation to the kidneys. I hope you get some good news.

[bittyup]

I don't know how I missed all this but I am sure glad she is doing better. These seniors keep us on our toes. :bighug:

[Alex's Mom]

It is common for cardiac issues to impact kidneys. For example, heart failure patients often shows kidney function to decline because of poor blood circulation to the kidneys. I hope you get some good news.

That's really interesting, Olga! I'll mention that to Barry next week. :hug99:

[alfina]

Are you giving her fluids for her kidneys? Extra fluid volume impacts heart's workload. Paula, look up cardiorenal syndrome. Basically, heart and kidneys are connected and treating one may worsen the other.

[Alex's Mom]

We had been, but she's not dehydrated so have stopped with them for now. Have been giving her a bit extra in her food, but she drinks as needed so perhaps I'll stop. I have a feeling she might have had a heart attack this morning, but is ok now, although not really wanting to eat her lunch. I was feeling pretty optimistic that she was doing well, but now I'm wondering if she's going to last the month. Roll on the cardiologist's appt next Thursday! I'm going away for 10 days week after next and I hope this resolves one way or another before then.....

[oceangirls]

Sending rayz for roller coaster dog ~~~~~~!!!

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[Alex's Mom]

Awesome appt!! Dr Orr is lovely. It was a textbook chordal tear he says, and now her little valve is swinging back on itself too much as a result. Barry was very pleased with himself as it's only the second one he's ever seen and he called it right :rotfl: . So she's managing pretty well but is going on amlodipine. He figures that it won't be her heart, or at least not any time soon, that does her in. Huzzah!!!!!!! I can now go away with some peace of mind.

[alfina]

That's awesome news!!!

[Lisa]

This made my week!! What a great update. :cheer3::cheer3::cheer3::cheer3::cheer3: Keep us posted.

[oceangirls]

That's fantastic!

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[Alex's Mom]

It is awesome, isn't it. :cheer3: Except for the emotional whiplash from dying dog to nope, she's doing ok, all things considered. :rolleyes:

[bittyup]

Enjoy your week and continued healing prayers for you baby:cheer3::cheer3::cheer3:

[Rae]

Kind of wish someone would just hand us a wienerdog. Rae, maybe your friend Amy can hook me up? The longer you wait, the easier it is to overthink. But it will happen someday.

Also, kind of want a cat. What?

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Kim. September 9 is a good day to adopt a new Doxie or two. Get to looking, sister. Amy and i are not adverse to a road trip.

You’ve been dogless too long, honey.

[oceangirls]

We are so not ready for a doxie. We are starting with a cat. Please don't revoke my club membership!!!!

Husband is aware I intend to simultaneously own a doxie and a cat.

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[Alex's Mom]

Dachsies exhibit many cat-like qualities on occasion...jus' sayin'. :)

[oceangirls]

Basically, a doxie that can leap onto the counter...

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[Alex's Mom]

That was Alex :rolleyes: Getting down was a bit of a problem though!