The vets have given Pearl a final inning

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Sundae

True, UT. Would you be able to pay for all Pearl's meds if you had another dog? Would she get all your attention?
I value Bruce's opinion, but just the way things worked out I think you made the right decision.

Yes, he probably did, but a young healthy dog doesn't cost much to keep. And more importantly that was a few years back when I, nor I think UT, imagined he'd be in his current situation.

[Spexxvet]

Enjoy your time with her, UT

[Jaydaan]

I am so sorry to hear about Pearl's issues. The "fainting "spells, and the anxious after, are very familiar. My Freya did that for a few weeks, before she passed on. Freya had accute Boxer Cardiomyopathy... in english, an enlarged heart. The vet told us it would just be a heart attack that finished her, but it ended up choking because of the enlarged heart. One thing to watch for is a hacking coughing, sounds much like kennel cough or something stuck in her throat. If you do get unlucky enough to hear that, call your vet. It is a heart wrenching sound. But the vet may have meds or suggest the dreaded E word, but it might be the right thing for your baby. I have been there, felt that, and hated every second of it.
Value every second you have left with your baby! Screw the housework, curl up with her. Everything else can wait.

I am not trying to scare you, or make what you are going through worse. In fact, quite the opposite. If you know what could, or might happen, you may be more prepared for it. We had no clue, and waited days before calling the vet. We simply thought it was kennel cough.
We were not going to get another dog quite as fast as we did, but it ended up 13 days after Freya passed on, we were blessed with Aesa. If the right dog, or the right situation comes up you will know it.

My thoughts are with you and Pearl.

[Undertoad]

I appreciate it Jaydaan. I understand exactly what you're saying wrt not trying to scare me. I'll watch for that symptom and it is good to know.

I always feel like Bostons and Boxers are similar, even though they are far different sizes. They're both clowns, with a square jaw.

Pearl had another episode tonight and it is always tough remembering that this shouldn't get me down. It's just so heartbreaking to watch.

[Undertoad]

She had a really bad episode tonight. She fainted in the middle of the yard while pooping. (Any kind of stress causes her trouble.) I carried her limp body inside and felt for her heartbeat. It was steady but much slower than normal. Arrhythmia. She was out of it for a good 10 minutes, her big eyes just lifeless. She then slowly recovered over an hour.

Now me, I had just gotten back from having a dead battery in north Philly. There's nothing so invigorating as waiting for a tow company for a jump start, in the hood, at night. And when I got home, my main hard drive tanked on me, as it's going intermittent while it too is dying.

And this is why I drink, because even though it's a slow poison, it's slower than everything else around me right now.

[DanaC]

Oh honey. What a horrible night.

[orthodoc]

Damn.
Women send other women cyber-hugs; I don't know whether men would hate that, but I'll send some anyway and hope not to offend. You have lots of people here to stand by you. Lean on us, we're better than slow poison.

[limey]

Oh UT, how awful! Hugs to you!

[Griff]

That is a crap night. Sorry man.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Drinking doesn't really help, and actually makes things tougher in the long run... but you know that. Masturbation is the answer.

[glatt]

I hope things are looking better this morning.

[infinite monkey]

Me too. So sad.

[BigV]

This thread is a total no-humor zone. So, I'm sure I'm going to hell because when I heard about this last incident, it made me think of Elvis.

But that doesn't mean that there aren't smiles to be had. "clowns with square jaws", chasing balls and getting bowled over like a cartoon snowball, radiating happiness at the promise of a treat or a scratch. Curled furballs of contentment, satisfied to be dozing at your feet or in your lap. Dogs are a huge net positive force in the universe. You're fortunate and she's fortunate.

I've had several dogs over the years, and I've had to deal with their deaths both fast and slow. They're just different kinds of agony. But that agony is transient; what is permanent is my happiness from sharing my life with beloved family members, the marks they've made on my life, the stories, the scars... the hair. I know your pain is real UT. But it won't last, your love and your memories will. I promise.

[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."

[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?