Sad News Today

This is my first day to resume normal activity since I've been sick.  Well, sort of normal.  I went to a doctor's appointment for me first thing and then an emergency appointment for our Chloe.  She is about ten now and has been having some coughing episodes for a little while.  I knew if she was still coughing after we got through the wedding I would have to face the music and take her to the vet.  Even so, it has taken me until now to do so because I was afraid of where this visit would take us.  Finally over the weekend I could see that she was struggling to breathe.  I did some research and kind of figured that she would either be diagnosed with congestive heart failure or cancer. I slept in the living room beside her crate last night and she actually woke me up a couple of times with her breathing.  And so this morning I called our veterinarian's office.  We have gone to them for 16 years.  They have put three of our fur babies to sleep and have taken care of the rest of them very well over the years.  It was Dr. Young at this office who diagnosed Bandit's slipped vertebrae not long ago.  We were super impressed at his tenderness and thorough exam that caught the source of her pain.

Today it was Dr. Olsen who was seeing patients.  He had the unpleasant duty of putting our Sally to sleep many years ago.  What this means is that he has seen me in tears before.  It took him about two seconds to grab the tissue box and slide it across the metal table to me today.  I was teary.  After all I've been dreading this for a while now.

Today.  She was begging to leave...."Please Mom???"

After a considerable amount of time examining and listening to Chloe he confirmed that she had a heart murmur as well as fluid in her lungs.  Then he proceeded to tell me all of the tests he wanted to run and gave me a quote that made my heart sink.  We couldn't afford all of this.  And then to treat her as well?  We would have to say goodbye.

But something made me ask if we really had to do ALL of those things at one time or could we take smaller steps to find out what was going on.  He was agreeable and we decided on the x-rays to start.  They confirmed fluid in both lungs and a very enlarged heart.  My poor baby.  I thought that was the end.  At best he thought we would get weeks to months with her.  He could maybe see a year at which he reminded me that in dog years that was really three.  I kind of didn't think that should play into the equation....one year or three "dog years".

Just a few weeks ago....

Now, I'm known around here for not letting any animal suffer.  The family all warns the animals to look strong NO MATTER WHAT because Mommy will take you to the vet and that is BAD.  But I looked at our Chloe and saw life.  Lots and lots of life still in her.  There she was with such a challenge just to get air and she has been begging with me to "play toys" with her as recently as yesterday.  I would always cut our play time short because she would start coughing.  But she was so willing and eager to play, play, play.   Today when I asked if she wanted to go for a ride in the car she jumped right up and tail wagging came eagerly.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that she wasn't ready to give up and so I could NOT give up on her either.

With "her" kitties.

And so, for now, our baby is home and on medication.  We will love her to pieces while we have her.
I'm praying that she gets a nice relief from the medication and gets to continue playing with her toys for a good bit of time yet.  It is her second favorite thing to do....second to eating.  That girl LOVES to eat!  Must run in the family.  :-)