Yes, Thanksgiving was last week and I’m grateful for so many things. As I write, today is Day 84 since Hobbes collapsed on Labor Day night. He has dog hemangiosacroma.
Hobbes is being himself. Today he turned up his nose to his pills for ligaments and body aches. His decision.
Yes, once again the tables on turned on me from the adviser to listening to my own advice. Do you know about the Pet Quality of Life Questions? When a pet is aging or sick, I recommend a pet parent lists the 5 activities your pet loves. I’m reviewing my list for Hobbes. This list helps a pet parent decide the hardest question for a pet parent — is it time my lovable pet cross The Rainbow Bridge?
Hobbes’s 5 Pet Quality of Life Activities are:
- Eating – He’s always prefers people food and often eat his food until the bowl was empty. This weekend he ate about half his food after the chicken and pumpkin toppings. Possible signs he doesn’t feel good or his body is shutting down. His vet just prescribed a palliative appetite stimulant.
- Walks – He loves his self-directed walks and these are continuing. In the morning windchill, we walked around Linden Hills Park with no wind breaks! Late lunch walk was 3 blocks each way.
- Car Rides – Last week I noticed after a walk, he’d stand and stare at the garage door. After his Saturday walk with John, he stopped and starred at the garage door. John came in and said, “Guess Hobbes wants a ride.” They took off for a several hour car ride. The staring stopped.
- Playing with Toys – In the evening after his last walk, Hobbes often grabs one or several toys. He thrashes them around. Instead of the 5-10 minutes of thrashing, now it’s less than a minute. Another sign of change.
- Being with Us – Hobbes is very social and wants to be with people, especially his family unit. On walks, he’ll lean into a person he just met — being Hobbes. He’s happiest when John and I are home and is usually halfway between us.
Yes, 2 of Hobbes’ 5 Pet Quality of Life Activities changed. We have no idea how long it will be. On Day 1 we decided no invasive interventions and Hobbes will live his life as he wants. We’re joyful that we’re celebrating Day 84 with him. We also know he’ll probably collapse and die with no warning. Not the usual way our loved pets cross The Rainbow Bridge.
Yes, even I asked a friend to check in on Hobbes. She feels and see energy differently and gave me insight to what he is experiencing. Today Hobbes had questions for me, and I answered them through tears.
As my business partner, Hobbes told me to keep working on the new website and work as I can. I’m listening to him.
This brings me or us to the Unconditional Love we give each other.
Thank you for all the kind words and love for Hobbes and us.
My life hasn’t stopped. I’m helping others with their pets.
Schedule a free-15 minute consult to see how I can help you and your pet.
Elaine, thank you for this information on Hobbes. I know you and your husband are doing your best with and for him.
I have been dreading this day with Sonya, she is my oldest Samoyed at this time. She didn’t sleep much two nights ago…she would bark and I’d get up and let her out on the balcony and then she’d bark and I’d let her in…It really seemed to upset Murpny ….who kept putting his paws up on the bed to tell me … can’t tell if it is some dimensia (sp) or liver not working correctly….Sharon
Sharon, I’m glad you asked me to do an animal communication with Sonya. She explained why she was barking at night and had me burping. I feel the burping is tied to her illness. Remember the 5 Pet Quality of Life. It’ll make any decisions easier. Take care.
We have already been there after being told we maybe had 3weeks as our beloved Shepherd had very enlarged heart and possible tumor. We decided on no intervention but tried some heart pills. We started feeding him steak., chops , anything he was interested in. We continued our walks and he was always excited to go, or get in the car. He loved the water, especially Lake Superior but didn’t feel he was up to that long a drive, and when were invited for a cabin outing I said I was not going without him. I sat in the back seat with him while he stuck his nose out the window excited about smells and sights. He had a good night , took himself into the water ,interacted with other dogs, went for a pontoon ride. Really seemed to like it.
It was our wedding anniversary and after going out to dinner we took him for his final walk. He was slowing down a bit. The next morning he got up and ate, went outside and caught his ball, then barked at the mailman. A short time later my husband called for me urgently as Charley had collapsed in front hall which was his domain. I hugged him as he looked confused and then he was gone instantaneously. As hard as it was and still is ,was also a blessing we did not have to make any decisions and quality of life was there, up to the goodby. Did not need anybody to come in like with last dog. And since he was a 90 lb dog we were blessed that it did not happen when we were out for our walks or even at night when we were sleeping.
Hope it goes as well for you. It was August 2018
Kirsten, Thank you for your story. I understand the relief that Charley went quickly and so sad. We are never ready for our best friend’s to cross The a Rainbow Bridge. It’s a gift he went quickly without suffering.
I know Hobbes day will come. Thanks so much for sharping Charley and your story.