Losing one of my beloved chihuahuas, Sweet Pea.

[1Curiousguy]

Returning the focus of this thread to what it is supposed to be, Fancy's anguish over her beloved "child," Sweet Pea.

Fancy, that's so great that you've found some help for Sweet Pea, as long as there is life there is hope. I am not surprised that her siblings are rallying around her. I will send my best wishes your way since I cannot do more than that.

You are such a wonderful woman, I don't think that your immortal soul is in any danger at all.

Animals know who love them and are more intelligent than many think. Sweet Pea no doubt knows how much you love her and the effort you are putting forth.

Thank you for the updates, I have been wondering how things were going. I'm glad to hear that there is a ray of sunshine.

[DallasRain]

I am so sorry you have to go thru this Fancy---what a cute dog.....


I love love love my cat & hope she stays with me forever!

I have been on the road for 7 weeks now and can't wait to get home to see her!

[pyramider]

Most dogs are better companions than many humans.

[Sarunga]

This thread is turning out to be a very heart warming one....so, let's continue to give support to Fancy....and keep it that way....please...

[instfixer]

I had a Shetland Sheepdog
She was unusual in that she was naturally friendly [typically Shelties are aloof]
We went to visit my SO's grandmother that was in the home
I was in the front area with the Shelty
This lady that was a resident there, started to dance with the Shelty, which amazing, the Shelty enjoyed!
The lady explained that when she was living in her house she had a small dog that was her constant companion.
When they put her in the home, they took her doggie away from her

[Fancyinheels]

Thank you, all. Sweet Pea is hanging in, still accepting squirts of Pedialyte down her throat, drinking water, eating a few wee morsels of chicken from my hand, but she's losing weight and is weak. However, she had enough energy to follow me into my study and is watching me type from her bed by my feet, her eyes still clear and unclouded by pain. Last night I even got a feeble wag when I came home from the grocery store with more roast bird for her. Considering what I was almost ready to do Saturday morning.... I'm glad I waited, even if this is a limited respite. I'm not fooling myself; she won't magically recover. I'll fight for whatever time I have left with her as long as she isn't suffering. Might be a day, might be a week, but when it's evident her quality of life is miserable, then.....

She'll get another subcutaneous treatment tonight. In case anybody wonders what I mean by that, canines, and many other mammals, have far looser skin than humans, so a solution laced with dextrose (sugar) can be injected under their skin, forming a "hump" not unlike a camel's, which is absorbed into the body. This is a far less invasive procedure of keeping her hydrated and flushing rather than inserting a catheter directly into a vein using an IV drip, safer, but less effective. Seems to be helping so far. Dang, I'm becoming a regular vet tech.

OOB, I understand that not all people love their pets, and many think of them as merely amusing toys, to be disposed of when they break, get boring, or become costly in terms of money and time to maintain. I'm obviously not one of those. This thread was never about the morality of how we handle pet death or the value we place on them, but was just me pouring my heart out trying to make myself feel not so quite alone while dealing with this, and asking for opinions and information to help me evaluate an action I'm agonizing over. As has become evident, there are a lot of animal lovers here on ECCIE, and I appreciated their support, sympathy, shared experiences, well wishes, and suggestions. You have an opinion of furry critters that excludes them from family, denies the grief that comes from their loss, and considers them "replaceable" like a TV. This was not the appropriate context to express, or defend, your view. Again, unless you are just trying to hurt me (and you've succeeded) for your own entertainment, please refrain from further comments. It obviously doesn't concern your world.

[cumalot]

Love the avitar good luck and a speedy recovery Sweet Pea...

[Guest102513-1]

Originally Posted by pyramider

Most dogs are better companions than many humans.

Very true observation....

Best of luck with your pet's situation

[Fancyinheels]

To those who've suggested I take a pillow or blanket Pea likes to lessen her stress if or when I have to take her to the vet one last time, very thoughtful and pretty much what I was thinking. I'm going to wrap her up and bring her home in the shirt I have on now, one I've been wearing for "luck." It was given to me by one of my wonderful gentleman friends who knows how much my pups, but especially the Pea, mean to me. The tee says, "Sweet Pea's Official Walker" and has tiny paw prints trailing across it. (He knew she walked all over ME and had me wrapped around her mighty paw.)

I naively hope it's way premature to be talking about this, but she'll be buried like an Egyptian Queen accompanied by her blanket and bed, her favorite toys, treats, and the little outfits I've made the poor dog wear, although really, she loves dressing up. (She's as bad an attention ho as I am.) She'll have a cement marker in my pet cemetery. My little cottage in the deep, dark, not-so-spooky woods north of Houston comes with more than an acre surrounded by beautiful trees, and a lovely, peaceful corner is devoted to my beloved barkers passed and the much-missed mutts of friends and neighbors. If I ever sell this property, it's going to have to be to someone who loves dogs and will leave the cemetery in place.

[Beau Derierre]

Sorry for your loss Fancy.

[instfixer]

When we moved into Minneapolis,the new house had a huge magnificent back yard as well as the neighbor in back of us. The yards were only separated by a thick underbrush and we were going to put in chain link because of our Sheltie.

There on the neighbors side were grave markers for all her Standard Poodles along with the usual names and dates, we just looked on in silence.

[1Curiousguy]

It is such a relief to hear that Sweet Pea is responding to your ministrations, may she continue to do so and continue to light your life for a while to come. I am sure she knows just how much effort you are putting into this for her (and your) sakes.

But should the time come, I have been considering your original question. Fancy, in your original post you asked if anyone knew a vet who would make a house call for this special event. Only one poster had a suggestion. Hopefully he will work out for you.

If not, I don't know of any personally, but it seems that in your neck of the woods there would be vets who specialize in equine patients. Surely such a vet would be accustomed to visiting the patient. It's just a thought in case you wish to search. I'm sure that most vets who work with animals are kind hearted and understand the unique nature of the relationship between a pet and her owner.

I am continuing to send good wishes your way and hope for more reports of Sweet Pea's queenly reign.

[Fancyinheels]

I'll give that vet a call, too, but I came across a site online called Lap of Love that finds vets for such situations,. However, the only one in the Houston area is in League City. He seemed nice, but charges by distance (understandably) and travel time, so will cost me $400 for him to come out to BFE. While I'm not at the point yet, sadly, his service could be required at any time. Strange that there were numerous vets registered with LL in Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Austin, but only one here?

Speaking of money, while I want to spend as much of the time Pea has left with me beside her, the vet bills and my ongoing living expenses are piling up, and I already had to cancel Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and today's appointments, so although it absolutely kills me knowing I may not be there when she needs me the most, I have no choice but to to return to my apartment in Houston tomorrow. I'm leaving her in good hands, although they will only be able to care for her in the morning and evening because of work and school. I'll run back and forth as I can.

I'll be offering a "Save the Irish Chihuahua" special to catch up, and I need gentlemen to take my mind off things. I'm sure some of you can think of ways to distract me.

[MrClark]

Sorry for your loss. Dogs have away of bonding to us that makes them family or better. They always simpathize with us and just want to be with us.

[Out_of_Bounds]

Ms. Fancy, I apologize.
My comment was not meant to be malicious. I took no pleasure in it.
In your grief you took it as such and I completely understand.
A future disclaimer on all future posts from Oob.
Never assume the obvious is implied.