forum Summer

Started March 06, 2019 by @Yamatsu

tune

Today I learned that my dog has anywhere from 6-12 months left before she dies.

She's a Chinese Sharpei, colored like a cooked pastry.
She has a genetic condition that is common among her breed, making it difficult to breathe, makes her lose weight, and is found somewhere in the kidneys, according to my parents.
We'll have to notify her breeder so that they can check the entire family for this condition, and hopefully alerting other owners of the breeder's puppies.
We'll have to feed her different food, something to hopefully put some weight back on her.
We'll have to give her many pills in hopes of delaying the inevitable.
Why?
Why, God damn it, why?!
Why something so impersonal?!
Why couldn't she have grown old and fat and happy with the rest of us?!
Why does Life have to hit in the worst way?!
I don't want to accept this! No one does! My other dog is old and fat, I'm already preparing myself for when 10 years of memories come flooding back on that day!
What even happens?! Can they perceive death the way we do? Do they perceive the passage of time, days and nights of love, lethargy, and hugs? What happens afterward?

I don't know. I don't think I ever will. But I do know that Summer can and will always be a part of my life.
Her, and Indigo, and Autumn, taken before her time when I was in fourth grade, and Moe and Emma, our cats that filled my parents with joy before my sister and I ever happened, and Tigger and Figaro, the two newest additions to our family.

Life sucks. Disease sucks. Death sucks. Just because you take it on the chin doesn't make it hurt any less. I just hope we can love her and make sure that she doesn't suffer.

That's rough

Sorry to hear about your dog :( I've been there before and it is really hard. One thing that really helped me after we had to put down my dog was just thinking about all the positive memories we had with him. I was really lucky to have such an amazing dog in my life, but when I looked back it made me realize that it really was his time to go even if though it was hard to accept.

I actually do work at a vet clinic and I've witnessed quite a few euthanasias. It's a very peaceful and humane process, and the staff is always (in my experience anyways) very respectful about handling deceased animals. If you have any questions at all about what to expect (or anything else) feel free to PM me or just ask them here and I'll answer to the best of my ability.

We're not concerning ourselves with euthanasia, yet. She doesn't appear to be suffering, just lethargic and a bit skinny. I really just had to get this out of my system.

Fair enough. It's good that she doesn't seem to be suffering though.

Jeez, that sucks. I'm sorry :(

I'm sorry about your dog, bb…..I've lost 2 dogs in the past 2 years, and I can tell you that they never leave you. They leave pawprints on your heart, and your doggo will be happy knowing she made your life happy while you had her.

Honestly, I feel much better having vented like that. I can spend the rest of her time together and shower all of my animals with affection. The only thing that really sucks is now we need to actively feed them twice a day rather than leaving dry food out so they can free-feed.

that's good! (not the food part)