kayc

Okay, I'm moving this back here because some people might not care to read about my dog. Finally heard from the vet and she thinks it's Colitis and that it's originating from the colon and that he'd benefit from some fiber so she wants me to add canned pumpkin to the mixture. She's taking a "wait and see" stance and if he's not doing better after the weekend I should call for an appt. What she says seems to differ from the internet which stated it was intestinal infection or obstruction (which I don't think) and to get to the vet immediately. She said if it continues or if he displays Diarrhea to bring him in and they might want to do some more blood work up. I hope he gets better...if they thought they needed blood work up they should have done so from the first time they drew blood so he wouldn't have to go through it all over again! After all, I had brought in his stool and showed it to them and had told them about his symptoms. It's all rather frustrating! Anyway, I'm back to where I started, still don't know anything. I canceled my plans to take Arlie up to see my son and his dogs, will try for two weeks from now when he's hopefully better.

Shannon, it's so good to hear from you! Don't feel like you have to come on here, esp. when you aren't feeling like it, we're all just worriers! I'm glad Leo is having a better day!

I have to ditto what fae said, I hope you're able to see Leo soon!

Some people are greatly benefited by grief support groups as they know they are not alone and what they are experiencing is normal, given the circumstances. It took me a long time to feel comfortable being "on my own", but that doesn't mean it's my absolute preference...I would still rather have George back, it just means I'm not scared of being alone anymore and am more comfortable with having to make choices and decisions. 74 is quite an age to have to be on your own for the first time, but that doesn't mean you can't do it. There are quite a few here going through the same things. One year is relatively short in the grand scheme of things, I think I was still in a fog at that time. It took me probably three years to fully process George's death.

Thanks, fae. I can't believe the vet still hasn't called back.

fae, I'm supposed to get snow too, through Tuesday night. Someone forgot to tell the weather it's Spring! Good luck on the packing...

fae, This is where Shannon posted last: http://hovforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?/topic/7907-been-very-sick/#entry68249

annie2132013, I don't think I've ever had a dog die on its own. A friend of mine did but then she felt terrible, that maybe she should have let him suffer so at the end, selfishly trying to keep him alive for her because she didn't want to let him go, so I don't think it's easy no matter how it occurs. You're right that time is the only healer and it is slow. When my husband passed, I hated it when people told me "it'll just take time"; they were right, but it was annoying because I couldn't control time, couldn't speed it up, just had to endure it. Sometimes we can distract ourselves from grief for a time, but find it still waiting for us where we left off. It seems there's a certain amount of tears waiting to be shed regardless of when we choose to give in to them. I'm just glad we have this site and each other to go through it with. It really does help.

Wow, you all sound so industrious! I dread the day when I have to go through and clean out my home/garage/storage areas of 36 years of family living. I don't know where to start. It almost seems easier to pack what I want to keep and get rid of the rest! Jan, I hear what you're saying. I know, sometimes it does feel like we're just going through the motions and our heart just isn't in everything, sometimes it helps to go through it anyway...sometimes not so much. Stupid people to think you'd ever be over Pete, we all know we'll never be "over" them! I've been amazed at people's responses to what I'm going through with Arlie...it seems you all here are the only ones that understand. And I am reminded once again of how George would have been truly there for me throughout this in a way that no other man could be. You see, he was totally present and he cared and he knew how to respond, just what I needed him to say or do, and he always came through. I don't see that in other people. Have other people really lost the art of caring and being a true friend or was he just one in a trillion? It's sad, really. You guys have encouraged me more than anyone. Even the vet doesn't seem to give a rip. I called them as soon as they opened and they said they'd call me back...still waiting. Shannon posted a bit but she's still very sick, sleeping mostly.

Shannon, it must feel like it never ends to you. I wish you could have some good news for a change. I've been praying for you and Leo every day and I knew you hadn't been on here because you were so sick, and have been hoping you've been sleeping, I'm glad you have been. I think that's the best thing you can do for you right now. I'm glad Leo is asking about you, even with all he's going through. This has to feel like the darkest time to you, but you will emerge from this, I know it doesn't seem like it when you're mired in it, but you will eventually. We continue to be here for you. Just get yourself well!

He's just been laying around all night, not playing, lethargic. He cuddled with me for a long time, usually it's just a couple of minutes. His nose is wet and cold, so that's good. I'm really thinking intestinal infection. I wish they'd taken his temp. when I brought him in but she was so sure it was Giardia that I don't think she was considering all possibilities.

3200 to 400 SF! My goodness, that must have been an adjustment! I hope I can sleep tonight, this is getting really old. I manipulated his stomach and he didn't wince or cry out so that's good. He's in good spirits. I would think if there was a blockage, he'd exhibit another sign. I know the fact that he's vomited isn't good...I found some under the table from about a week ago judging from the mold on it, so that's two episodes but if it was super serious, I'd think there'd be more. The yellow mucous is a progression though that his intestines are worsening, not getting better like they usually do with his special diet. I'm thinking he needs antibiotics, but I'm remembering the bad reaction he had 2 1/2 years ago, they seemed to make him worse. Anyone from an inner circle that says they can't handle this...I understand! (A little inside joke)

I'm not out of the woods yet, I came home and his stool had thick yellow mucous. What I've read (since they ruled out parasites) seems to indicate an intestinal infection...it could be a blockage but I doubt it, since I think he'd be exhibiting some kind of pain. He also had vomit in his pen, one episode, that's not good. So I'll have to call them tomorrow. I just wish this was all over with.

Very well stated!

Hey, good for you! So important to listen to what our bodies need. Last night I listened to myself and got out, which is opposite from usual, usually I guard my evening so totally! But my friend was having a jewelry party (all jewelry she has made) and she's selling to give herself spending $ for her trip home to TX and she'll be gone over two weeks so I wanted to go in support of her and just to get out. (Ended up buying some)

I think going home and hugging him will be enough celebration for me. I just can't put into words how elated I am. It's a huge weight off me. I have a huge library of books, which I went through when I was laid off. There are three sections of shelves and all of the books I can part with on on the first section, the ones I want to keep are on the final two sections. Most places don't have nice shelves like that so not sure what I'd do with them, but I might have to hire someone to build some for me. Who wants to lose their books just when they finally get time to read?! I'm glad you're calling it a day.

This one is 24' by 64' it's a "double wide", no, it's not mobile. Once they remove the tung and tires (which they do right away) and put in skirting and a front porch and back patio, it's pretty much there to stay. When it's used it's usefulness, it'll probably be demolished and the debris hauled away. I saw that happen next door, it was pretty awesome to watch, gone in two days. They can dismantle it and move it but because of the expense, it's not worth it. It can run $12,000 to move a single wide, and they are way easier! Comes a point it's not cost effective. An iron shack, huh? I haven't seen a building made out of iron! My garage is covered in cedar shakes and an aluminum roof. Alum. roofs last forever but mine has rust stains on it because it's about 50 years old, so not so sightly but it does it's job. I have a pole barn too that houses our travel trailer, winter supply of wood, and misc. equipment. That was erected in one day by my kids' dad, he was pretty handy. He cut down the trees himself, stripped them (ahead of time), and erected the building by himself, and put on an aluminum roof. It's been a nice place to live and for the kids to grow up. Someday it'll be time for another family to take their turn.

Oh Mary, thank you! I loved that in all big letters and color too! You have no idea how excited I am! I texted my son & daughter and called my sister & GF, and posted on FB! So many have been praying for him all month, I really appreciate it! I'm glad there's other dog lovers that understand.

I'll have to sell when I can no longer work because I can't afford my house payment and property taxes (Oregon is one of the highest because we have no sales tax) on social security. But that's okay, I've resigned myself to that. I already have an idea of where I want to live.

This one was eerie, kind of like she could look inside you and see stuff. I'm not comfortable letting anyone in unless I want them in.

Okay, here we go, I just got the call from the vet., Arlie is in perfect shape. They figure the intestinal problems he's been having is because of a trip to the litter box for a snack on Almond Roca. His blood is perfect, his clotting time couldn't be better!

Mary My mom's house had beautiful hardwood floors, so I appreciate that. Mine is just a 35 year old mobile home that's seen better days, but it's in great shape except it needs painted and new carpet, but at least no rot and everything works, new hot water heater, dishwasher, etc. What I love about it are the extra little touches...the marble floor my son put in in the circular kitchen, the sponge painting the kids and I did on the kitchen walls (plus painted the cabinets and added china knobs). Also, my kids' dad was handy at woodworking and he built a huge linen cupboard over the toilet in the master bathroom, and we took out the garden tub in the same and put in shelves ceiling to floor in that spot with double clothes rods in front of the shelves and mirrored doors, so it's a great storage closet and will house every size I've ever been! He also built a HUGE built in bookshelves in the living room, has all my books on prayer, etc. He also made a handy shelf in the utility room to hold hangers and stain removers, etc. And another shelf in the laundry room to hold paper sacks. Those are the things I'll miss about the house. Over the years we added a wood stove and an oil one. I don't use the oil one because it's too expensive and the guy that repairs it comes from two hours away so I hate to depend on it. But it's nice having that choice. One of the things I love the most is the 30 1/2 ft x 14 ft covered patio...it overlooks the hillside and I hang potted flowers all across it in the summer, plus my hummingbird feeder. George loved those flowers. And my son built a brick wall that encases my apple trees, behind the garage, he spent a whole summer on it when he was just a little boy. We've planted trees there and my son, again, as a little boy, built our circular driveway, by hand with nothing but a shovel and some rock. It's the extra touches that mean so much.

Another option would be to keep the set together...draw straws as to which brother gets it. My mom hasn't passed but she had to go into a Dementia Care Unit and the house needed cleared out of all but her basic necessities (clothes). My brother is the conservator and the only one with a key to the house. He also had a lot of stuff stored there, which we didn't (there's six of us kids). We waited for him to decide when to go through the stuff and he put it off and put it off and suddenly decided on a weekend in which I had snow arriving (I live in the mountains) and I couldn't make it. As a result, I got nothing. You know what? I'm not going to nitpick over "stuff", I've lived without that "stuff" all my life and can continue to do so. The one thing I wanted, as my dad's firstborn, was the painted portrait of him but I was told my brother got it, so that's that. I wouldn't fight over ceramic trains and to do so shows Brother A is not at his best right now...grief does that to people. I'd let it go and resolve, most importantly, not to let any stuff come between the relationships that exist between the three of you. That is what your mom would want and that is what is most important. My brother and sisters are way more important to me than anything my parents owned. We all have memories of our parents inside our hearts and nothing can destroy that. Good luck to you, I don't envy you your situation.

I think either way it happens is equally bad, but different. When my husband passed away, it was sudden and without warning, and I was thoroughly shocked to the core. In that sense, I think the grief is harder when they pass. BUT when someone is a caregiver and watches the person suffer, the death comes with mixed feelings, that of relief, but also missing them because although you try to prepare yourself, you can never truly be prepared and the finality hits hard when it comes. In that situation, much of the grieving is done ahead of time. My MIL passed after two years eight months of being bedridden with cancer, and I know we grieved ahead of time. When her death finally came it was a relief that her suffering was finally over and she could be at peace at last...but the finality of knowing I couldn't talk to her or see her was there to deal with as well. It's just not easy either way, but when it's sudden, it's very hard on the one left behind because they're literally scrambling to process this monumental thing that has happened. It will take time, much time, to absorb and process it all and nothing but time will soften the edges on the grief. Believe me, I know. I wish I didn't. My heart goes out to you in the pain of your grief.

Mary, Oh I know, Arlie is 1/2 Golden Retriever too! I just ushered him straight to the toy aisle, past all of the people, and we were lucky enough to have it to ourselves for a time.