Let's not forget what really counts

[dog_lover]

I have just come from taking my aging infirmed shepard-mix to the vet.  I wasn't sure it was her time yet but it was. When I got home, eyes almost closed from balling I took a final walk on our favorite walk. While walking I gave a lot of thought to the last couple of years of my life, encompassing my wife's leaving, losing my job, losing my house, filing bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, motorcycle accident and yes, of course my new friend, Hep-C. Of course the one constant through this was my dog, Coco.  She was always there to greet me at the door with a sock in her mouth, squealing like a puppy when she saw "daddy." Life was simple for her.  A dry and warm place to sleep, an occasional outing, legalized begging, a regular meal and permission to use any piece of furniture she could wiggle up to.  Pretty simple. She was never concerned over viral loads, or side-effects of interferon, or genotypes or any of the other concerns we are so obsessed with. Naive? Yes. But I thank God for the lessons that wonderful friend taught to me. I hope when it's my turn I can be as classy as she was and I want to tell everyone how much I loved her. So my friends I hope you will take a moment and if you have a pet give it some lovin' and if you don't consider getting one and try to remember what counts in this world cause it's all condensed into some brown eyes I'll never gaze into again. Love you all.

[52TELE]

Hey dog. Sorry for your loss. I remember you telling me some time ago how much your dogs meant to you and that they helped get you through this.

Go to the animal shelter and save a dog , give him a home and try and make a difference in his life , it will make a difference in yours.

Take care

Mark

[way]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your post did make me very sad, but we DO tend to lose sight of "WHAT REALLY COUNTS" so it was a very welcome reminder...

I know what you mean, and absolutely understand where you are coming from--Coco was your best friend. I think it would be good to get another pet after some greiving time.

We have (in order of seniority)a black Austrailian Shepard named "Daisy", She is 11 years old and very arthritic,due to frisby chasing. I would NOT recomend this activity for anyone who wants their dog to any kind of QOL in their golden years.
Also we have a Shetland sheep dog (9yrs)and a Jack Russel (2yrs)

I live with Brother and they got the Jack Russel for the Sheltie because the Austrailian Shepard was aging and very sedentary. Kind of like dog rotation.
Three is two many when you don't have enough time for them...
for three years I have taken over as "dog mom" and Zoo Keeper.

I give the The Shepard a supplement called "SynoviCre" it has glocosimin and creatine and she is WAY more active then before. They were thinking about putting her down and now  after losing some weight and getting more exercise she may have 3-5 more healthy years.

KNOCK ON WOOD.

[Gonna beat it]

I too am sorry for your loss, I think what makes a pet so giving is the unconditional love that they give us.. You usually don't get that from the "more Intelegent species" Maybe we could learn something from them. God Bless


Diana

[scubadiver30]

Thanks Kalio for your response. I feel OK, just scared about TX but definitely made my mind up and I'm going to go for TX with no regrets. I only have mild pain in the side but I know that scarring goes asymptomatic... Is either me or HCV.

As for my aunt, she's being cared for my 2 cousins (which are good doctors) but to them the erlichia theory sounded like I was talking science fiction. I had to pull up a CDC report in the internet about Lyme and Rocky Mountain ticks so they would take me seriously. After 80 yo doctors don't wanna treat patients, f++++ing incredible..
I also think that my HCV status made me loose credibility with my family. They patronize & judge me sometimes
However, my sys is doing all she can talking to vets and infection experts to test for the erlichia thing. Maybe I'll have an answer tomorrow.
Is incredible how doctors can be smarta***s some time u know?

saludos

[scubadiver30]

I'm really sorry about you loss, and I do hope you'll feel better with time
However, these may sound a bit cold hearted and unsensitive at this moment, or is not the right place to post.. this but maybe it can have some relation to this post..Hope you you can help me with this.If the webmasyer feels I'm out of line plz delete.
Now as I write, my 84 year old aunt (always been super healthy)is in bed quietly fading away (fatigued, does not wanna eat, etc). She had a sharp drop in WBC, anemia, high liver enzymes, cough, etc... Doctors don't know what it is...Did CT scan and she's got swollen linf nodes in the stomach area.The docs says she's too old for a BX or chemio and is probably cancer. No definite dx
Now , the strange part, a vet friend of mine tells me that these symptoms ressemble marrow cancer or even HCV but can be caused by a dod transmitted bacteria called erlichia (transmitted by a tick like Lyme)..And guess what, my aunts sleeps with and is always in contact with her dog (that suffered erlichia some time ago)...
we already order a blood test, but I wonder if any of you have had or know of a human erlichia case? since you know so much about hemodynamics and blood borne diseases
thanks and regards
scuba

[Mister beagle bailey]

I am so deeply sorry, I too am a dog lover and had to put mine at rest some years ago and would never want to relive doing it again.  However, I know some day I will, as my beagle Bailey is 9 years old today and before I read your post I thought back to the day I had to put Shane to sleep, it made me sad and now reading your post my heart goes out to you.  If you can, in time find another best friend with puppy eyes, wagging tail and loyality that will never waver.  
You have gone through much my friend and you deserve some happiness.

Beagle