This is hard to report, but I had to put Joey to sleep Saturday. For the past two months, many health problem arose.
On Friday night, he sneezed a lot and seemed to be breathing out of his mouth sporadically. He had a runny eye also. I thought maybe a cold. Saturday morning, he was not there asking for his b'fast but was crouched in a room and not wanting to move much. I noticed dried blood blocking one nostril. I decided that was enough, I'd take him in and prob. just a cold and an easy fix. I wanted to go alone - i wanted no influence from my husband. I had to do it by myself.
Somehow, on the drive, I tried to be upbeat but at one point cried out to St. Francis to send me strength, in case. He had lost about 7 lb,, had a temp and looked bad in general. The vet examined his mouth and said probably tumors. She turned him over and said "It's his time". I was glad that she hadn't presented me with a choice - this was as far as anyone could help him. It was not easy - the memory of another euthanasia hit me from 1979 and that old guilt resurfaced with a force. She was very understanding, and heard me out..
I talked to him alone for about ten minutes, and I sang him that wonderful little song I'd learned here, from Maggie and Curly, bless her heart, and I like to think it soothed him. I was with him to the end - nothing on earth could have taken me from that room.
I am sorry to ramble, but I feel I can speak here and NOT feel foolish.
I can't thank this group enough, collectively and to all those who answered my questions in the beginning, sent the kit, talked me thru the early sugar days. He went OTJ and I thank this group for making that possible. You people are wonderful.
I miss him terribly - we childless people especially understand this, as we relish every little bit of affection a pet affords.
My name is really Valerie. Ruth was a favorite aunt who loved animals, and would've been 100 last Saturday. She only met Joey once, but I like to think they are somewhere together.
On Friday night, he sneezed a lot and seemed to be breathing out of his mouth sporadically. He had a runny eye also. I thought maybe a cold. Saturday morning, he was not there asking for his b'fast but was crouched in a room and not wanting to move much. I noticed dried blood blocking one nostril. I decided that was enough, I'd take him in and prob. just a cold and an easy fix. I wanted to go alone - i wanted no influence from my husband. I had to do it by myself.
Somehow, on the drive, I tried to be upbeat but at one point cried out to St. Francis to send me strength, in case. He had lost about 7 lb,, had a temp and looked bad in general. The vet examined his mouth and said probably tumors. She turned him over and said "It's his time". I was glad that she hadn't presented me with a choice - this was as far as anyone could help him. It was not easy - the memory of another euthanasia hit me from 1979 and that old guilt resurfaced with a force. She was very understanding, and heard me out..
I talked to him alone for about ten minutes, and I sang him that wonderful little song I'd learned here, from Maggie and Curly, bless her heart, and I like to think it soothed him. I was with him to the end - nothing on earth could have taken me from that room.
I am sorry to ramble, but I feel I can speak here and NOT feel foolish.
I can't thank this group enough, collectively and to all those who answered my questions in the beginning, sent the kit, talked me thru the early sugar days. He went OTJ and I thank this group for making that possible. You people are wonderful.
I miss him terribly - we childless people especially understand this, as we relish every little bit of affection a pet affords.
My name is really Valerie. Ruth was a favorite aunt who loved animals, and would've been 100 last Saturday. She only met Joey once, but I like to think they are somewhere together.
