Friday, October 28, 2016

Vera Wag

I have a lot of dogs.
Anyone who reads my blog knows that.
I mostly talk about my Blue or
Maybe about Jimmy Chew and whatever trouble he's got himself into.
I also don't talk about them all because I think it gets confusing and hard for people to keep track of everyone.
That doesn't mean that each and every one of them aren't special to me and hold a piece of my heart.
A sad fact too is that sometimes when they are absolutely perfect they might not get as much attention as the trouble makers.
"Good" dogs don't always make for the funniest of stories sometimes too.

Perfect is my little Vera.
(this is Vera in 2008 after she got all groomed up fancy)

I know that I wrote about her before but it's been a very long time ago.
She's of course another rescue.
A beautiful grey miniature poodle hidden under dirty matted hair.
She's the kind of dog that no matter what, would never bite.
She sits silently and patiently as she's groomed.
They have pulled a loose tooth with her wide awake and she just let them.
All she wants are snuggles and kisses in return.
So...
I went to shave Vera last Wednesday night.
I've been shaving the poodles like Serta sheep with skinny legs and fluffy bodies.
Because of that fluffiness I didn't realize that Vera's belly was extremely swollen and her back legs very puffy until I started shaving her.

I brought her into work me the next morning and they did X-rays
and then an ultrasound and they found a HUGE mass.
Too big to remove and most likely attached to one or more organs.
She's 13 years old.
Since she's still eating and running around and even still jumps up on the bed, they don't think she's in pain.
They say if she quits eating then it's time.
They also said she's losing some blood and there is probably some internal bleeding.
They said she might end up bleeding out sometime but that it's not a bad way to go.
Meaning she could just pass away some time.
I gotta say, sometimes it's really hard to focus on the positives and remain upbeat.

UPDATE
This Friday (today) her belly was as big as a basketball and her hind legs and hocks were triple their size.
I'm now giving her twice daily injections of Salix to get rid of all the fluid she's retaining.
She was so bloated that you could lay your hand on her belly and it would become moist.

I asked one of the vets how long she had.
She said it could be a day or it could be weeks.
I added "or months?"
But she sadly shook her head and said 
No, not months.

So...
I'm not asking for prayers or healing thoughts.
This is not something that is going to get better.
I hesitated even sharing this but...
I do share just about everything and...
well...if I didn't share I would feel like once again, Vera the perfect dog,
wouldn't get the attention she deserved.
If anything I guess I just want everyone to take a few extra moments out of their day
and hug and love on those who don't get their fair share.
Those who are so good that they don't get constant attention.
I know that's what I'll be doing in these final days.

18 comments:

CheerfulMonk said...

What a sweet girl! Thank you so much for sharing her story with us. Please give her an extra hug or two for me.

Cindi Myers said...

Jean,
I will!
Thank you.
xoxoxoxoxo

Lesley UK said...

Cindi, I'm so sorry. I just hope her passing is sweet and gentle, just like her. Sending you and all your babies big hugs. Blessings

charmedteacher said...

Cindi,
Boo hoo. My thoughts, prayers and feelings are with you as you celebrate, love, treasure, adore Vera Wag in her final days. She was a lucky dog to have you as her Mama. Give Vera a hug for me.
Anne xxoxx

Anonymous said...

sitting here crying.
look at that little smiling face.
my zeke was a small polish lowland sheepdog. and i've since learned that cancer is one of their health traits.
vera has the same type of tumor my zeke died with.
they were draining his tummy area about twice a week. I think it must surely have been painful for him. they all loved him at the vet's office.
they did it to make him more 'comfortable.' they said he was their best patient.
when it became mostly blood the doc said the end was near.
he was getting weaker and weaker. but he still tried.
then he quit eating and then he couldn't even drink.
it was time.
and yes. he too was the perfect dog.
he was my beating heart.
so i am crying for little vera wag and little zekey james.
they give and give and give to us. right to the end. ♥

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

It's never easy is it? What a sweetheart she is! Hard to believe she let someone pull a loose tooth and didn't bite them. That says a great deal about her temperament.

I hope her final days are spent with as little pain as possible and lots of hugs and kisses.

xxx

Janneke said...

O no, so sad you will loose your sweet perfect girl, she really looks adorable. It's good you also share this kind of stories with us for that's life, we don't want it, we don't like it, but it is....Please give the poor dog in her last days as much attention as you can and also a far extra hug from me in Holland.

sassypackrat said...

On Cindi! My heart breaks for poor Vera and for you. SO many loses this year. Please cuddle her for me too while I go cry my eyes out. Hugs to you both!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

Such a sweet post about your wonderful pooch. She looks as if she's trying to give her best super-model grin in your photos. I will keep her in my mind and hope for both your sakes that these last days are some of the best for you. Having lost two family dogs recently, in July and last week, I know exactly what the vet means. One day you think maybe they aren't as sick as you're told, then the next they won't eat a bite and have to be carried back and forth outside until you start to understand that they have accepted it's time, and it's only you that is refusing to acknowledge the truth of the situation. My prayers will be for you, hoping your heart heals quickly knowing she stretched it out a little bit bigger than before she came into your life.

Cindi Myers said...

Leslie,
Thank you.
Sweet and gentle... I like to think that it will be.
I hope so.
Thank you again.
XOXOXOXO

Cindi Myers said...

Anne,
Thank you for commenting!
I'm going to try to make these days good ones for her.
I'm taking her with me to work every day.
Just in case.
I will give her another hug just from you.
XOXOXOXO

Cindi Myers said...

Tammy,
I'm so sorry to bring back sad memories of your Zeke.
This tumor has grown so quickly.
Just a few weeks ago she was kinda chubby
and now she's a ball.
The Salix is helping some, but her legs are still puffy.
As long as she's eating and walking on her own, I won't be making any decisions.
I'll just wait for her to let me know.
Thank you for your kind words!
XOXOXOXO

Cindi Myers said...

Doreen,
Yes, she is truly the sweetest little dog.
Once while trimming her nails I cut her quick.
She didn't even pull her foot back.
I didn't know I had done it until I saw some blood.
I told her that I was sorry and quickly put powder on it and she never once pulled away.
I'm giving her lots of hugs and kisses
and trying to spoil her as much as I can.
Thank you for your kind words.
XOXOXOXO

Cindi Myers said...

Janneke,
Yes, I guess I must share this sadness.
It seems my posts have been rather depressing of late.
I wish they weren't.
But Thank you.
I will shower her with love
and give her an extra hug from you!
XOXOXOXO

Cindi Myers said...

Jen,
Thank you.
Yes this year has been rough.
Two dogs and two cats have passed
and then that scare with Blue...
and now poor little Vera having to go through this.
I knew that I'd have a few rough years ahead of me as most of my pets are seniors
but there's just no way to really prepare yourself.
I know you understand that!
XOXOXOXO
Thank you.

Cindi Myers said...

Sharon,
I know you understand how I feel.
How sad to lose another so soon.
I'm so sorry and was so sad to read about the loss of your daughter's little dog.
Heartbreaking to read.
I'm keeping a close eye on her and trying to do whatever is best for her.
On the way home today we went through McDonald's and I got her a hamburger.
I haven't bought one of those in years.
I sat with her in the parking lot as she nibbled on the meat
and then we just drove around for a while with the warm air blowing in the windows.
I just wanted her to have some one on one time before going home to the others.
Thank you for your kind words.
XOXOXOXO

Connie in Hartwood said...

Cindi, Vera knows that you love her. Such a sweet girl. Hugs to you. You're a good dog mom!

Cindi Myers said...

Connie,
Thank you!
xoxoxo
She is such a good girl.
Life is certainly not fair sometimes.
Thanks again!
xoxoxo