The vets have given Pearl a final inning

[infinite monkey]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

Despite V's humor ban, I continually read the title of the thread as "The vets have given Pearl a final warning"

And I picture a vet lecturing a disinterested Pearl who is gazing out the window looking at the kids playing ball in the park. Then turning to look at the vet with a look of "Sorry, what? Umm, are we done now? Cause I'd like to go out and help those kids bite that ball, they're doin it rong."

I liked this.

I was talking to my friend last night, the one who lost her brother. She was back and forth between tears and laughing. And that's what it's all about.

UT, how is Pearl doing?

[orthodoc]

Yeah, that post made me tear up a little. Who knew humor could be so gentle, and so perfectly attuned to a situation?

I hope Pearl is maintaining, UT.

[Undertoad]

She has an episode every few days. She hasn't had one since the last one. Other than that, she has slowed down but still has enough strength to climb the stairs, and jump onto the couch. She's kind of her normal self when she's not having an episode.

[classicman]

Tough bro. Hang in there.

[limey]

Thinking of you both.

[Nirvana]

Dogs fill our hearts with love and break them when they leave us all too soon... >sigh<

[Undertoad]

Pearl just had an episode, so it's one every three days... that I'm aware of.

To bring two threads together, yesterday I took Pearl to the new place for the first time. She did me proud, both peeing and pooping on the outside. I wanted her to get an idea of it, get some smells down, so when the actual move happens it won't be as stressful on her.

Stressful on me is another thing, but it is what it is.

[orthodoc]

It's a great idea to take her there ahead of time, UT. Is it possible to repeat the trip a couple more times? (If she likes being in the car, that is.) All the best on moving day.

And good luck tomorrow night! Break a leg, or a guitar string, or whatever it is that musicians do.

[Big Sarge]

i hate to say this, but maybe its better to let her go. let her die in piece in her old home rather than going through the trauma of a move. i know it is a shitty thing to consider, but don't you wonder about her quality of life?

sometimes we you love things, you have to end their suffering

[DanaC]

That's a judgement every dog owner has to make at some point Sarge. It's about balancing considerations. At a guess, I'd say that's probably a judgement Tony makes each and every day, sometimes many times in a day. Always balancing the symptoms and suffering against the joys and quality of life of the dog.

It's impossible to know from the outside. But when you're inside that bubble it's all you really think about. It's there constantly in the back of your mind.

Dogs are simple creatues. They have simple pleasures. Quality of life for a veteran dog means enjoying their meals and their walks and their cuddles. As long as that's the case and they're not in pain then every day is worth it. Most dogs take their cue from their owner. Chances are Pearl will be ok with the move as long as Tony is, and as long as there are enough familiar smells in the new place. Maintaning as close to a familiar routine as possible is probably more important than familiarity of place.

[Undertoad]

She's not really suffering all that much, because during the arrhythmia events she loses consciousness and is not in pain. She's confused for a while but then she comes around. The hardest part is for me and I just find that to be my responsibility to a companion.

I do have the chance to take her to the new place several times, including an extended round tomorrow. I think she will be okay with it, when she finds that the bed and the couch are the same she's known her whole life. Even if they are in a new configuration and she has to be carried up the stairs. She has adjusted to change well in the past.

[Griff]

She'll have you and her bed, old dogs can be content with that. Merlin is content with cuddling and laying his butt up against the warm iron ash clean out door of the fireplace. I need to be that content.

[Spexxvet]

Every time I see a new post in this thread, my stomach gets a knot in it, expecting the worst. I'm sure that's nothing compared to your feelings each time she passes out. Give her a snuggle for me, UT.

[Undertoad]

At first I felt weird about having this thread. I didn't know if I would want to document her decline like this, or whether you all would want to know. It's kind of grim. But it has been a relief for me to talk to you all about it.

I'll tell you what Spexx... when she goes, I'll start a new thread just to give her an official send-off. I truly don't know if that'll be days, weeks or months. It seems hard to believe that she's made it this far. This has been a weird gift to me. The last vet I worked with gave her all the credit, being a hardy dog, but we know the truth. It's been a three-way partnership of Pearl, the vets, and me.

[DanaC]

I honestly don't know how'd I'd have coped with Pilau's last year had it not been for the cellar and being able to share that journey here.

I am glad that you are letting us in on your time with Pearl. Having seen the pics and heard the stories over the years, she feels like one of the pack.