Cleo is a sixteen-year-old terrier mix, about 15 pounds. We adopted her from the pound when she was four. For the last few days, she has been in the hospital, undergoing and recovering from a surgerical biopsy on her liver and intestines. The news, so far, is not too good.
We visited her yesterday, and saw the stitched wound in her abdomen, the I.V. in her foreleg, and the shaved area for medicine patches on her side. We talked to the vet; he says there are abnormalities in her intestine and liver; he kept using the word "hepatitis," although the biopsy results are not in yet. He says we can give her medications orally, so when she starts eating again, we can take her home. He says, with proper treatment, we can enjoy "whatever time we have left with her."
These are tough words to hear. The vet is clearly trying to prepare us for something. I don't want to be prepared. I don't want to steel myself for losing the pet we adopted in our first year of marriage. It's hard for me to imagine being with Chris without being with Cleo.
I was wondering why I didn't feel like blogging this week, and I realized thinking about Cleo was taking up my energy. But I missed the blog, too. So I'll just blog about her.
11 comments:
What a cutie! I love old dogs, love their gray faces and their lived-in sweetness. Yesterday cleaning out my office I came across a photo of my dog when she was old. I have such fond memories. It's heartbreaking to go through caring for them when they're old and sick, but I think they deal with it easier than we do. Dogs don't get sentimental. Hang in there.
My wife and I currently have 3 mixed breed dogs all rescued in one form or another.
We have been thru a similar experience our selves and probably will again in the future, so I really know how you feel.
Be strong, give her as much love as you can and remember all the times she made you laugh or smile.
Ah, Amy. It's tough because we love so much and the roots grow deep in our hearts. Take care.
I've been where you are. I feel for you and Cleo and send you both thoughts of love and strength.
Thinking of all three of you.....
I've been a lurker as of late. I just wanted to tell you that I hope the best for your really cute dog. This is never an easy time.
Selma
Oh, Amy, I know how you must have felt right now; no words can give you solace except my sympathy as I could feel the pain and anxiety you've been through because I had already lost pets in the past.
I hope Cleo will recover soon.
It is almost as hard seeing your loved pet sick as it is your friends and family because we give them so much affection and they return it we develop such close bonds with our pets, so I as all animal lovers share in your heart ache and wish you all the best and hope the rest of the time you share will be special.
love and best wishes
a fellow animal lover.
I read Danny's beautiful poem about Cleo and I find other words to be lacking...
The loss of a pet is never easy to endure no matter how many years you have enjoyed them. Knowing that the loss is in the near future just makes it worse.
amy .... *hugz* ... u take care.
Thinking of you, Amy.
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