5:30 am again?
Even my hyper little Scoutie is still sleeping. She has more sense than me.
I wish I could get, say, five good night’s sleep in a row. I get to sleep just fine. I just wake up too darned early. And then I start worrying about Riley; does he need to go outside, has he made a mess?
And then I start worrying about all sorts of other things. So I get up.
My boy was doing better this week. He was able to get up by himself off and on. You understand that when I say ‘better’ I mean tiny little improvements, don’t you? Yesterday morning, his barking woke us up. He’d made a bit of a mess (not his fault) and was thirsty and had been trying to get up. That struggle to get up seems to exhaust his muscles and for the next day or two, he can barely stay standing.
Right now he’s perched on some beach towels we found for sale at Target. I’ve been having to wash his towels every day, which uses a lot of our well water in this very, very dry stretch of weather, so I figured we could use some reinforcements if only to slow up the amount of washing that needs to be done. $5 each. And we bought all of them.
Oh, this is so hard, my friends. He’s still eating and drinking and occasionally joining in with Scout as she barks. But he struggles. And each time I start to entertain the thought of making the final decision, he perks up a little and I can’t do it.
How do I find a job when he needs me? I won’t make any kind of decision based on that. I could never live with myself. He’s my baby and I need to take care of him until I know it’s time. And then, I’ll help him as he crosses over.
I know so many of you have struggled and are struggling with the same thing.
Happy Friday.
Oh Claudia, this is so hard. He is such a wonderful boy.
Sending you love,
Mere
Claudia, my heart goes out to you. I have been through this when our 16 year old poodle was passing from kidney failure. One of the toughest times our family has ever gone through. I was working at the time, but took time off to be with him every day until he was gone. My prayers are with you. Twyla
Claudia, I sure understand. I looked at his face and those eyes and thought oh what a wonderful dog. I have had the same problem with a pup long ago. I will pray that he perks up and gives you more time with him. Hugs
Sending hugs and prayers. Sweet Riley.
Part of me feels I should say nothing and the other part says to let you know I waited too long to let my beloved Newf go. I vowed to never again put a pet through so much so I could keep them with me a little longer. He’s had a lucky life to be loved so much. ~ Maureen
WOW! I don’t know what to say. Look into his eyes and see what he is saying. Sometimes you just have to make the hard choice. Quality of life. But only if he and you guys are ready. There are a few “kids” that I look back on now and wonder if I kept them too long. But God it is so hard to part with them. My prayers are with you as you go through theses hard days. Hugs, Teresa
Claudia I know what you are going through and how much it is going to hurt when the time comes. As you know I lost both of my babies within 3 months of each other and I still cry when I think of them sometimes but more often than not now I smile with the memories.
It has been 4 months since we lost our Penny and even though I said I wanted to wait a year to bring other furry guys into our lives but I missed them so much that now we have Rufus and Daisy. They are both 2, although we said we would get them different ages we adopted and it just worked out that way. They are my clowns and make me laugh everyday.
You will know when it is time but right now just love Riley everyday. He knows he is safe and loved and that is all that matters.
Thinking of you,
Sue
It is such a hard, hard decision but you will know when because sweet Riley IS your child and you are connected after so many wonderful years together. Eventually you will only do what’s best for him, no matter how difficult it is for you.
Thoughts are with you Claudia – we care.
Loving hugs – Mary X
Thinking of you Claudia. I know how hard this is. You will know when the time is right. Trust yourself.
XO Kris
Dear Claudia, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep him safe and happy. Lots of love and attention. Blessings, Linda
Claudia, I know how you are feeling.. I’ve been through the anguish many times with our beloved kitties and dogs..
There’s one thing I wanted to pass on to you~~~ when we took our last angel kitty to be put to sleep, the Vet sedated her before giving the last shot.. It made it so much easier on her and us..
I know you hate to even think of that day, believe me, I know !
I just thought I would tell you about the sedation..
I know you are doing everything you can to keep him happy and comfortable.. Bless your heart, you’re a great doggie Mom.
Hugs, Charlotte
I’m thinking about Brenda today too.
Oh Claudia, when we love our pets this much, it’s so hard. We want to do everything we can for them, and give them every chance… We went through something similar with our kitty cat 3 years ago. And my best friend went through this with her Newfie just last month. Sending hugs.
i have just now joined you and read about riley. i am so sorry to hear about her. about 6mo.s ago i had to help my cat, of 13yrs., to go to heaven. she had breast cancer, i treated it, had her operated on, and 3wks. after the surgery she laid down one day and could not get up. she was in pain and when i would go to feed her, she would give me a look that said help me. so i had to send her on to heaven. it hurt too much at times but i knew i had done right by her. the reason i am talking to you is: have you ever seen the doggy wheel chairs? they are for dogs that cannot use the hind legs or have lost them. if riley still has her energy and all, she might can use one of these. i hope so. anyways i just wanted to make sure you knew of these. i tried everything i could before i finally had to let comet, my kitty, go. i am praying for all of you.
i have just now joined you and read about riley. i am so sorry to hear about her. about 6mo.s ago i had to help my cat, of 13yrs., to go to heaven. she had breast cancer, i treated it, had her operated on, and 3wks. after the surgery she laid down one day and could not get up. she was in pain and when i would go to feed her, she would give me a look that said help me. so i had to send her on to heaven. it hurt too much at times but i knew i had done right by her. the reason i am talking to you is: have you ever seen the doggy wheel chairs? they are for dogs that cannot use the hind legs or have lost them. if riley still has her energy and all, she might can use one of these. i hope so. anyways i just wanted to make sure you knew of these. i tried everything i could before i finally had to let comet, my kitty, go. i am praying for all of you.
Someone once gave me the advice to think of three things they used to like to do. When they can no longer do those three things it is probably best to let them go. It doesn’t make it hurt any less, but it might help you to know when.
Right now I have a cat that is close to 20yrs old. She still likes to eat and be held and seems in no pain but having lots of old age issues. She also is getting big knots on her legs and such she doesn’t seem to be in any pain so we are just letting her be happy and as active as she wants to be. Keeping you close in my thoughts as you care for you little pup.
Oh Claudia, my heart cries for you—I don’t know if I’ve ever had such a hard struggle to go through as this was for me; as you’re engaged in with your furbaby right now. Holding you close in my thoughts…
Please know that I am thinking and praying for you and Riley. I hope that things improve over the weekend. You are the best “Mom” to this special dog. Take care…Balisha
Oh Claudia, please give your sweet boy a kiss for me. You are all in my thoughts. xo
Dear Claudia,
I had no idea Riley was ill! Poor boy. He is such a sweetie. No wonder you are unable to sleep very long. I have two sweet girl yorkies who I would be just the same with. My thoughts are with you both as you go through this together.
I wish Riley the very best.
Hugs,
Terri
I know how heartbreaking it is to not be able to make your baby well again. Gentle hugs and prayers to you and Riley.
~tracy
I am so sorry to hear this, and I understand. When we finally made the decision to have our little Yorkie put to sleep, she did pretty much the same thing… the perking up once we got to the car to go to the vet… but we knew that she was really suffering and hanging on just for us.
One of my cats passed away just a couple weeks ago. We had her for 19 years, and she wasn’t a baby when she adopted us. Before she passed, I noticed she seemed more out of sorts. Finally, I told her that she needed to let go. I told her she’d feel young again: climbing trees and rooftops, chasing birds, and playing outdoors in the fresh air. No more aches and pains and having to take baths.
The next morning she passed, and I do suspect that she finally let go because I told her it was okay. Perhaps that’s what Riley is waiting for. He’s just looking out for his Mama. The furkids want so much to please us, even when they’re sick.
Kristin
oh claudia,
i am praying for you and for the healing of riley. it breaks my heart that you are going thru this. xo
Claudia such hard times for you and Riley. Praying that things will get easier and you will both find peace. Sending a big hug, Linda
This is so sad …You’re doing the right thing..You’ll know when the time comes…It’s never easy..
My nose got all tingly as I read about your beautiful Riley having been down this very difficult path myself. My prayers and hugs to you both, Claudia. xo Paulette
Claudia, every single day, my thought go to you and Scout. I wish so much that I could be there to help you!
Brenda
I am new to your blog. My children are going through this same thing with their elderly dog.. I remind them that they have to love her enough to let her go. Maybe this will help you. I know how hard this is. My thoughts are with you.
Claudia, this is one of the hardest decisions to make. You will know when as you have known Scout through his life. I have prayed for some of our pets to just go on their own but when it is time you will sense it and make the descision. My thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry you and Riley are at this point. I see it almost everyday and it is never easy. NEVER. You will know when you can do it and that is what we all wait for. It is a bit unfair that they have such short lives in comparison to ours. We get so much from them but just for a short time. Please know I am thinking of you and Riley.
Hugs, Lisa
Claudia, what a difficult decision my heart breaks for you.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams