Flying solo

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

Have awarded m'self an easy day today, after being rather busy yesterday.

Went to have another chat with Dear Vet, more than half expecting her to say she would follow me back home as the time had come.
Instead, during our conversation it transpired that BD has put on so much weight in the last month that the dosage of his pills was no longer correct. DV also suggested another of my migraine meds to settle BD when he is restless at night. She obviously thinks he is on his way, settling slowly and about to take the next step himself - which would be the best thing as long as we can remove any twinges of discomfort.

I must say BD seems content since the dose of his meds was upped last night, but it is so odd; I can see him showing some of the same physical signs that DH did in his last days.
Oh he enjoyed the migraine pill - I hardly ever take that particular one because I don't like the side effects - but it settled him quickly and gave him sweet dreams, lying full length on the rug in front of the stove.

Meanwhile DS4 has made preparations so that if the inevitable happens while I'm without human companionship here, I will be able to cope with the practicalities (which is surprisingly comforting; we are all preparing for BD's journey, just as we had to for my dear DH).

I didn't go to the party; too tired after having already been out, but could hear it, as doubtless could everyone for miles around - so the volume would have been too much if I'd gone down there.

NewLeaf_2

BD is such a good boy, he is getting his dignity kept by you and the Vet seems clued up.

Sending love and hugs

please-let-me-be-lucky

Glad you got a satisfactory answer from the vet for now. Big rubs behind the ear for BD Xx

dorothy52

How sad that you are having to prepare for the end, yet how lovely to hear that BD will stay in your garden when he is gone. I'm glad that you have such a lovely DV to take care of all the Daft Dogs, and of course DS4 is being such a good son. All in all, I am relieved to hear that you are being well taken care of. As always, tears are near to the surface. Our old lad was the only dog we have ever had so we were woefully unprepared for the end of his life. He was so ill last Christmas, all the kids said their last goodbyes to him before leaving us to return to their own lives as they knew what we didn't dare admit to each other (me and oh that is). We had a last roll of the dice in early January and agreed to an operation to see if he had cancer, and if it was operable we could have perhaps had another couple of years with him but alas he was riddled with it and as oh had previously agreed with the vet, he simply didn't allowed him to go there and then. We so missed him for so long, and this will be our first Xmas without him since the kids were little before we got him. So Dear Robin I know exactly how you must feel and send my love xx

HeadAboveWater

Hi Robin! Sorry for not posting in what seems like ages. Think I've caught up in the reading again...

It must be so tough preparing for BD, but as dorothy52 says, he'll never be far away. Dear Vet really is a dear too

Can't believe it's Christmas eve already! :eek: Just a couple more things to get then I'm putting the feet up later on!!

Take care and will be thinking about you.

HAW

*Robin*

Hello Diary and dear, dear MSE Friends, :hello:

Thank you all so much for your kind comments; am sure you will be pleased to hear BD appears to be pain-free since Dear Vet told me to increase his meds. His appetite has almost gone though, so am giving him the pills stuffed inside pieces of sausage, which he still accepts happily.
It's funny though - the younger dogs have already twigged that I'm getting out sausages every six hours, and they line up next to BD waiting for their treat which does make me smile.
An amusing side-effect is that CD and FD are sticking close to me/the fridge because they can't tell the time and don't want to miss out!
..Luckily I have plenty of frankfurters in stock.

In the last day CD and FD's behaviour has been very useful indeed as I'm just coming out of a severe migraine - had to set my alarm for the pills and leave the door open as I didn't want the inevitable result of trapping the Old 'Uns inside.. (which really is not nice to deal with when dashing to the loo barely able to see!).

It's Christmas Eve. DS1 did not really accept my polite refusal to join the family feast tomorrow, so I was intending to spend today cooking - thinking I'd send the results up with DS3, then at least the dishes I traditionally provide would still be on the table for everyone to enjoy.
Hmm. Am not up to it yet - so far have managed just a few sips of tea and sitting down feels very much safer than standing up. Had to take the pill I don't like - the one BD is enjoying at night. It's got me out of bed, no denying that, but goodness me I feel like I've downed a bottle of vodka [not the drunken aggression part, obviously] but 'off my face' as the kids would say. It's ok to be amused by the image of me hunched in my chair typing one-fingered, wrapped in my duvet and with a wet towel draped round my neck..

.........

Just had a brief visit from DS4, en-route to somewhere else. Kind of him, as he had to make quite a diversion.
I completely forgot to tell you that he and I went and opened up DH's cottages last week. Luckily there was no weather damage, everything still works so the cottages just needed airing and a good dusting/clean.
It was hard greeting the old Spanish neighbours - they were so fond of DH and in fact treated him like a son. They accepted my saying DS4 is taking over, actually it seemed to please them (DS4 is most like DH of all our boys). So I left 'em to it, and DS4 says all is well there.

Dot (((hugs))) thank you for sharing more details of your own dear dog's last days. Such a sad time for you - this time it was my turn to read with tears in my eyes.
Unlike you I've had dogs in my life* ever since managing to convince Mum she would not be lumbered with looking after it (*except when living in Central London!).
Most dogs occupy the shape in the family labelled "dog" - we love them while they're with us but when it is time, they go to Rainbow Bridge and another dog finds it's way into their basket and our hearts.

But one in a hundred is different. That dog finds a special bond with the whole family, far more like another child than a pet. When one of these rare companions has lived all it's days, it leaves a hole in the family that can never be filled, exactly the same as a lost child (and having experienced both losses, I am qualified to say that).
I believe your dog was that one in a hundred, Dot; though you wouldn't know this as you were very lucky indeed to find such a dog in the very first one you opened your heart to.

Being realistic Dot, you're in for a somewhat poignant and retrospective festival - it will be "the first without..." for us both, won't it?
..But please may I give you an idea? It is that giving sanctuary to another dog needing love will help you remember the good times rather than the loss.. Perhaps an older dog who would have little chance of adoption otherwise? Your old companion would not begrudge you sharing your love with another..
If you're not ready for that, maybe helping out another owner in desperate need might be an option:

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/volunteers/


Wow, it's taken me hours to write this; the Moon is high now and mist is rising as dusk falls. DS4 has called, he's coming to stay the night with me and cook dinner - which is lovely.

So Happy Christmas Eve everyone; hope you have a pleasurable and peaceful day tomorrow.

greyfox

Dear Robin,

I've been following your diary since you left the UK (although I haven't posted for ages.) I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Hugs,

GF x

*Robin*

:xmastree: :santa2: Merry Christmas Everyone! :santa2: :xmastree:

Thanks for dropping in Greyfox (I still haven't come across those archives - think they may accidentally have been put into into storage, twit that I am. )

please-let-me-be-lucky

Merry Christmas Robin. Hope it was a good one for you Xx

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear MSE Friends, :hello:

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

Merry Christmas Robin. Hope it was a good one for you Xx

Thank you, Be Lucky - well it certainly didn't turn out as expected!

Just as Christmas Eve was becoming Christmas Day, DS3 noticed a phenomenon neither of us had seen before; the Moon was surrounded by a very bright corona that stretched across more than half of the sky. We marvelled, but my camera was not good enough to catch it.

Then at five ayem the first squall arrived; it is very comforting falling asleep to the sound of rain when cocooned in a warm dry house.
At eight-thirty my short night ended with an ear-splitting crash; lightening landing a kilometre away across the valley. No damage done but the water tower now has a dark mark down one wall (I guess where the conductor is). It rained heavily all morning, with billowing dark grey clouds racing across the heavens as we were buffeted by gusts of strong wind.

With two very dodgy sections of road between me and the family feast, I had the excuse I wanted - so stayed at home with Daft Dogs. As soon as that decision was made and accepted, streaks of blue appeared in the stormy sky and the weather slowly improved. :cool:

CD and I took advantage of the freshly wetted ground to attack another batch of weeds, and I noticed something very pleasing; on the terrace I'd cleared last month - the one I didn't plant up due to the danger of more stones falling onto it from the damaged wall above - there are now at least a dozen tiny almond trees growing. I'm going to move them into pots where I can nurture them, and then know just the spot to plant them later, on a steep slope where they'll provide shade for the vegetable terrace below.

Yes, I had a weepy moment or two, remembering last xmas with DH when we had no idea what was coming. Very poignant; was glad Daft Dogs and I were alone. :A

But it didn't last long; visitors with a more suitable car for the road conditions arrived. It was kind of them to remember me as they were on their way to a party, but they stayed so long I lost all desire and energy for cooking. Therefore still have my festive meal to anticipate this evening.

Ha - remember that I said CD and FD are sticking close by so they don't miss out on any sausages falling from the fridge? Well, now Fat Dog appears to have worked out the length of six hours; she's 'reminded' me at the right time for the most recent three doses of Blind Dog's and Auntie's pills! ..That's one dog who is definitely led by her stomach. :rotfl: