queenwinniesmom

I'm so sorry you lost your sweet Penske, Beryl.

These are GREAT suggestions! I hadn't even thought about those options. I just knew the small pee pads that we use in surgery at work would be expensive. I will definitely make some changes. It is a pain in the butt to keep washing towels. I REALLY appreciate the support. It's been a rough time for us. She is not going up the inside steps now either, which she normally didn't have much trouble with. There are 16. They are carpeted, and she's stumbled a couple times, but not fallen. After the accident, she ran upstairs while I was cleaning up her pee, and did okay, but the next morning, she slid down them about 2/3 of the way down. So we felt we can't take chances inside either, and now the steps are baby gated off. That means she can't come upstairs and sleep with me, and I miss her SO much. I've always known that would be the most difficult part of losing her. It's like I'm being prepared for when she's gone.

You guys are wonderful. I appreciate each good thought and suggestion. Tracy and Jan are sending me the Ruffwear and Carol's harnesses! I can't tell everyone how much it means to me to know that there are so many caring people out there. Yeah, our tenant does have some faults. He's been here almost 20 years, though, has diabetes, and is losing his sight. A chair lift! $3,000---6 month's rent!

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! I will PM the people who sent me messages. I think I'd like to try Carol's harness first---I saw pics in a link in an old thread here. It may be more what we're looking for. The Webmaster might also be a possibility, though it looks a bit more involved. The Help Em Up one is heavy duty---a bit more than we need. She would leap right off a stretcher! Jey---trading temporarily is a thought, but it would be tough. Our tenant is NOT a good housekeeper, and he's a smoker, and his 20 year old son lives there too. It's yucky in there.

I've posted a lot about Lydia's difficulty getting up and down our steps. But now we are pretty desperate. On Tuesday the 4th, she fell down the steps twice. Once in the morning when Doug was taking them out to go for a ride. It wasn't too bad, but she was bleeding, so he wrapped her up, and they all went out. He had a vacation day, and that afternoon, we were going to take the dogs up to Mt. Washington to take pictures, where it overlooks Pittsburgh's impressive skyline. Lydia started down the top landing and slid. Instead of stopping, she flew down the second set of steps and fell badly. It happened so fast that we couldn't catch her. It was horrible. Her back paws were knuckling over, her rear gait was wrong, she was bleeding. Our vet said to come in and they would fit us in. Nothing was broken, but she had to be stapled on one leg, and both were re-bandaged. We still had some tramadol, and we got cephalexin. She had to be helped out of the van. Doug carried her up the 22 steps, and hurt his back (which is bad anyway), pretty badly. We had no contingency plan, were only thinking of getting her up the steps and into the house. Here is the situation now. She hasn't been outside since then. We put down plastic and towels in the family room, and just let her pee in there. I know. Clearly, this is not a good solution, or a permanent one. But she was in so much pain that we couldn't let her try the steps again. And it's not beneath her dignity to pee in the house. She pretty much hasn't been able to control the poop for a while now. She'll be 14 on Sunday. She's not desperate to go out, but at some point, she has to go out. I am terrified to let her do the steps. Physically, there is not much wrong with her---no health problems, bad arthritis. She's developed a heart murmur, and her eyesight is not as good. She has done those steps for 10 years, and though the falling started last year, she has no problems a large percentage of the time. But it's the other percentage of the time, that scares me to death. We've been lucky that she hasn't broken anything. What if the next time is the time when she breaks a leg or her back? That would be the end. At her age, I can realistically accept that we might lose her, but I can't accept losing her that way. So what do we do? I'm sorry this is so long, but it's all I think about, and I ramble. Here are the possible solutions. We move to a house with no steps to get in. That's ideal, of course, but not happening fast enough., and in the meantime, the problem has to be dealt with. I've contacted a realtor who will come look at the house, and let us know what needs to be done---a lot---and what she thinks we can sell it for. We've started cleaning and de-cluttering. We'd be willing to let it go for less if it was quicker, and we sold it without some of the work. But we have to see what we can buy at a realistic price. The house in another thread that I loved is still for sale. I still love it, but inside, it's not ideal. Not much closet space, the bathrooms are in the basement and second floor, and the third floor where lots of storage is, has steep steps. We ask our 1st floor tenant to move. This is still a possibility---though he doesn't WANT to move. And we would lose $500 a month rent that we really can't afford to lose. We really can't trade our 8 rooms for his 3. We'll first see what the realtor says. If we have to stay here indefinitely, it will have to be on the first floor, and we'll have to get the money from somewhere. We get her up and down the inside steps to our entry hall. These steps are wider, less steep, and fewer---9 steps, then a landing, then 7 steps. Then we'd have to go through our tenant's apartment to the back yard and down 4 porch steps, or out the front door and down 5 porch steps, and around to the back yard. So how do we get her down those steps? We tried with the sling, and she freaked, and it wasn't secure. Another desperate thought---put her in a crate, and slide and pull it up and down. I actually borrowed a crate from work, and we're going to try this. Another way is to try the harness that several people suggested. I contacted Carol, who makes them, and she's not able to do a new one for a few weeks at least. She suggested that I ask if anyone had one they would be willing to sell or lend me. So that is what I'm asking. I hope if anyone has one, that you've been able to read this far. I think it's worth a try. So please get in touch with me if you can help. I've looked at other harnesses, but they are very involved, more assistance than we need. She can walk fine, she can lay down and get up. She just can't do the damn steps. I love her so much. She is my heart dog, and I want her to be with me as long as she possibly can. Any help would be so very appreciated.

After watching your wonderful tribute, I can only echo what others have said. It's so clear that he was an important, beloved, member of your family. I can't imagine what a huge empty space he has left in your home and heart. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Brucie.

What a beautiful, loving presence she was in your life. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Chellie.

Hi Erika, I was going to tell you about the rebate offered, but see you already know about that. I'd read some very negative things about convenia AFTER I'd gotten it for Polly, and my cat Lily, who has stomatitis (spelling?). But it worked wonders for both of them. The literature says it is mainly for skin conditions, but we found it was the only thing that really helped their mouths, and in my sweet angel Polly's case, various other infections that she seemed to acquire, like in her paw, and less often, the vulva. And we tried her on so many meds that upset her stomach, and she wouldn't eat, so the convenia was the answer for more than one reason. I always thought she had autoimmune problems too. It is SO expensive, but I know you would do whatever you need to do for your precious boy. I do wonder why it's so expensive, though.

What a funny, complex, loving and unique dog she was. Your tribute made me laugh (the date with a 13 year old boy) and cry. No wonder your heart is hurting so much. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Aquitaine.

Oh, no! I'm so sorry you didn't have more time together. Osteo is such a monster.

I've always thought that your Maddie had one of the loveliest, sweetest, most gentle faces. It's clear that she was just as beautiful inside as she was outside. Thank-you for sharing her with us. I'm so sorry you lost your precious girl.

Wow, what a great life he must have had with your daughter. 20 years old. It's a blessing that she was able to rescue him, and make him such an important, beloved part of her family for so long, but it also makes his loss even more enormous. I'm so sorry your family had to say good-bye to this lovely old guy.

I got home from Spain late last night, and although it was very good to be back home, at the same time I was dreading it. I knew that Polly's loss would be so much more real, the emptiness in our house palpable. And it was, it is. I look at the crate where she ate, remembering how encouraged we were when she would trot into it eagerly for the hamburger she was getting every day. She was so enjoying eating, especially the treats and special foods that we knew were just a temporary fix for the gradual slipping away. It had been my worst fear that she would have to leave before I could get back to be with her at the end. And that's what happened. But I know she couldn't have held on for over a week, and I know that her Dad was with her, holding her and telling her that we loved her so much. I'd told her that many times before I left, with many hugs and kisses. She was ready to go. But we just miss her so. This morning, I called her name to go out. I've said this often, but she was a perfect little lady. She came to us as a foster dog right after Winnie had been diagnosed with osteo. We felt that she was meant to stay with us to help us deal with that sad and stressful time, to give us comfort, and that's just what she did. The name Pollyanna was close to the sound of her racing name, something I like to do, if possible, and the middle name---yes, I'm weird, all my pets have middle names---was because it was fate that she came when we needed her the most. She fit in perfectly, and over the last 10 years, her position in our family never changed. She never wanted to be the center of attention, the social butterfly. She would wait sweetly until someone noticed her lovely, gentle face and kind eyes, and she had a way of picking someone who needed her most. Because Lydia and Tess require that immediate connection, often Polly was overlooked because her charm was quiet, her demeanor humble and patient. Her light wasn't a dazzling sun, but more the glow of a steadfast star. I don't think I ever saw her do anything bad---maybe the odd pee in the house---or be snarky or annoyed with anyone, dog, cat or human. Everything was okay with Polly, and she was always there when you needed her, just in case. She helped us through Nick's loss, and Winnie's, and was a tolerant big sister to many, many foster dogs. She was an eager traveler to lots of Deweys, Gettysburgs, and Grapehounds. Over the last 8 years, we've been so lucky, we haven't had to say goodbye to any of our dogs and cats. But I knew that day would come soon enough. She turned 13 in July (yes, born on the 4th of July), and had been slowing down for some time. She was always a bit more frail than the others, with recurring, unexplained problems, nothing serious, but each time she seemed to bounce back a little slower. And then she developed the heart murmur and became even more frail. The teeth were an issue that the window of opportunity closed on, and our vet honestly didn't think she could survive anesthesia---I do feel guilt about that, but don't know how much time we could have bought. She still loved to eat, and she liked to go on short walks, mostly to sniff around at everything. But she no longer got in the car every weekend to go for rides with the other dogs. She preferred to sleep in the living room, and hesitated to go up and down the steps, stumbling often. Sometimes she seemed not to be present, her eyes holding that turning inward look. But I guess still waters run deep, and she had more subtle strength than we knew. In the last weeks, I smiled as she literally ran to the crate for the latest treat, or fixed us with that "you will give me some of your dinner" stare. But when she refused all food, wouldn't even get off the couch, or go up and down the steps, we knew the time was near. Even though I wasn't with her physically, I was there in spirit, and knew that she'd told us it was time. A lady till the end, quietly asking to say goodbye. Here are some pictures from her last Grapehounds in July. Wasn't she the most beautiful little lady? On the balcony at Dewey Beach.

I'm so sorry. Comet sounds like a brave, funny, beautiful lady.

What a perfect home your Bullitt had. I'm so sorry you lost your precious boy.

I'm so sorry you lost your precious boy.

She was a force to be reckoned with, wasn't she? And she was determined to live, I think because she knew she'd found the perfect home. I'm so sorry, Annette and Roy.

That is a devastating way to lose a beloved pet. Not only are you dealing with the loss, but you are feeling guilt, anger and remorse. Please know that it was not your fault. Let yourself grieve---you need to do that in your own way and your own time. Your pain and your love are so clear, and we are sharing your sadness. Believe me, she knew that she was very loved, right up till the end. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Peanut.

No wonder you fell in love with her---she was beautiful inside and out, and clearly meant to be part of your family. Just picturing her joy when seeing you made me smile through tears. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Diamond.

Oh, what a lovely tribute to your sweet, quirky friend who had you trained so well. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Nutmeg.

Bear knew exactly where he was supposed to be, and the wonderful life you shared shows that he was right. It's understandable that you are feeling so much pain right now, and your heart and home must feel so empty. It's hard to say goodbye even when you are somewhat emotionally prepared, but devastating when it is unexpected. Please don't let those feelings of guilt steal away the beauty of your memories. He was very loved, and he knew that. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Bear.

I can't imagine how shocked and sad you are. The suddenness of the loss adds an extra layer to your grief, and you are dealing with all those unanswered questions as well. It's got to be devastating. I wish I had some answers, but like the others, can only add my sympathy. I hope you can get Photobucket to work for you. After that, it's pretty easy to add pics---even I can do it. You'll just copy the pics you want, then you can minimize, go to GT and write your post. Click on the little landscape icon above---it's the 11th one---which will then show the URL to paste. Even if you can't get the pics to post, I think it helps to write a tribute in Remembrance. Honoring your special boy and knowing that others understand, may ease the pain a bit.

Your beautiful pictures show how very much your sweet girl was loved. And she was a hoarder! These cherished memories that are uniquely her, will bring smiles to help heal your broken heart. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Eden.

I am sobbing. How devastated you must be to have to say goodbye to this wonderful boy way too soon. He was indeed a therapy dog in the truest sense of the word. And you were his angel for knowing that he was exactly where he was meant to be---doing what he loved with someone he clearly adored. I'm so very sorry you lost your precious Moxie. What a monster osteo is.

I'm so sorry you lost your brave Kebo. He loved life and his family right up till the very end.