What is the latest on Shug and Springer?
Kathy...you are a dear for asking...
Unfortunately, I'm sorry to say that Shug has stayed in the hospital/vet since I took him in last Friday AM. Although he is eating, he has lost nearly 30 lbs since this began. What we do know at this point is that the problem is the small intestine...blood work came back OK, B-12 is lacking, so that is being given now. Bacterial overgrowth has been curtailed through meds. IV hydration was successful, but now he's off that and is having to drink a TON of water just to stay hydrated. His quality of life is degrading rapidly...he has not been suffering with any pain or anything, but he is literally skin and bone. The only diagnostics left to try are invasive ones, and at this point I don't think it would do any good but confirm what I already know in the back of my mind, but do not want to think about. I have a practical side to me, and also have limits financially, which I have already exceeded, so I cannot keep doing things for more than a couple of days longer, if that long.
I would never had set the wheels in motion to get the new pups had I known this was going to drag on...just assumed it would long since be cured, and the other dogs around would actually make him feel better, as he missed Nell. Now, he's not even well enough to come home and meet his new buddies.
It's cold here now (for us), so Shug cannot stay outside all day any longer while he is having these episodes, and being inside is not an option for obvious reasons. The poor guy is embarrassed by the whole thing, even though I have never fussed at him...this dog NEVER, EVER had accidents in the house. Quality of his life, and of his environment, must be considered. A very hard decision will have to be made by me tomorrow if things do not improve...
Breaks my heart just thinking about it...
TREAT ME KINDLY
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend,
For no heart in all the world is more
grateful for kindness than the loving
heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick,
For though I should lick your hand
between blows, your patience and
understanding will more quickly
teach me the things you would
have me learn.
Speak to me often, For your voice is
the world's sweetest music, as you must
know by the fierce wagging of my tail
when your footsteps fall upon my ears.
Please take me inside when it is cold
and wet, For I am a domesticated
animal, no longer accustomed to the
bitter elements. I ask no greater glory
than the privilege of sitting at your
feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with water, for I
cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well,
to romp and play and do your bidding,
to walk by your side, and stand ready,
willing and able to protect you with
my life, should your life be in danger.
And, my friend, when I am very old, and
I no longer enjoy good health, hearing
and good sight, do not make heroic
efforts to keep me going.
I am not having fun. Please see that my
trusting life is taken gently. I shall
leave this earth knowing with the last
breath I drew, that my fate was always
safest in your hand.
--- By Beth Norman Harris 1968 ---