The sad part of pet ownership—The sad update

[jkwilson]

See my post at end for the update.

We are probably done traveling for a while, and the longer the better in this case.

Our 12 year-old female Sheltie has tumors in her bladder. No fixing it, but we are trying a couple of medicines which may make it easier for her to void for a while.

She can’t urinate in a normal position and is incontinent at times or urgently needs to go, so she ends up with wet legs all of the time and we need to bathe her daily.

Just more than we want to deal with on the road. At home, she’s free to roam the farm and she can sit in her shady spots and go when she needs to. Easier on her and on us.

She’ll miss the trips and hiking as much as we will.

[colliehauler]

An old expression (Dogs aren't are whole life but they make are life whole)

[BarabooBob]

I hate owning dogs. They work their way into the most tender part of your heart and they definitely don't live long enough. We are on our 4th dog and he is going on 8 years old. I hope that he will be around a lot longer. He is sitting here looking at me and want to be petted. Time to pet the dog I guess because my eyes are going to start leaking.

[ppine]

the only thing wrong with dogs is that they do not live long enough.
That's why we always have three.

[Campinghoss]

I am sorry to hear about your sheltie. Our large dog turns 13 this month. We already have ramps for the fifth wheel and the truck. His hind legs are getting very weak.
Like you, we will do what is best for him if he gets incapable of going.

Take care.

[ReneeG]

I'm so, so sorry. It's so difficult to love our companions so much, know they love us so unconditionally, yet not be able to help much, to a degree. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[CA_Traveler]

John & Kathy,

What you're doing and putting on hold says a lot about both of you. Thanks for sharing.

[jkwilson]

Here she is on a shopping trip after one of her vet visits.

[magnusfide]

I'm sorry about your sheltie. 12 good years is a respectable age. But it's never easy. Love her while you have her.

[rk911]

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
It's tough at times having pets with you on the road. We've had a couple travel to the "Bridge" while we were out and another we rushed home so that she could be in familiar surroundings during her last days.

My real point in all this is that during many trips to unknown Vets in all the years, it always amazed us how lucky we mostly were when it came to finding a "caring and compassionate" Vet while on the road. You could just tell right away that even though you are in a strange environment that still, everything was going to be OK! I guess that's a real credit to the profession and memories I cherish of meeting these wonderful healers of our "kids" who fall ill during our trips.

a big, no...huge +1

[Acampingwewillg]

It's tough at times having pets with you on the road. We've had a couple travel to the "Bridge" while we were out and another we rushed home so that she could be in familiar surroundings during her last days.

My real point in all this is that during many trips to unknown Vets in all the years, it always amazed us how lucky we mostly were when it came to finding a "caring and compassionate" Vet while on the road. You could just tell right away that even though you are in a strange environment that still, everything was going to be OK! I guess that's a real credit to the profession and memories I cherish of meeting these wonderful healers of our "kids" who fall ill during our trips.

[Lwiddis]

The joys and sadness of having pets.

[K_Charles]

We had one die when we were traveling and we drove two days to get home and put him under his favorite shade tree.

[rk911]

that breaks my heart. our Maggie The Wonder Beagle turned, we think, 11 last saturday. we rescued her 6-yrs ago and our vet thought she was ~5 at the time. i dread what's coming one day but we don't dwell on it. we'll hold you all in our hearts and prayers.

[bgum]

It is always depressing when something like this hits a friend. Give her the most love and comfort your can in the days ahead.