Luvmypets Journal: A New Season

[luvmypets]

Thank yall for the kind words. I honestly had been repressing so much to get through my last two weeks before I left and when I finished that last shift it all came bubbling to the surface. Hence the short story I wrote. I was so angry.

The only reason I stayed as long as I did is because I needed a new job first and that took a few months. But gonna be working away from animals at a local health food store which Ive loved for years and so far its going well.

 

[Finnie]

That sounds wonderful!

Yeah, I get it, just having to suck it up at the old job for a while until a new job is in place. You gotta do what you gotta do. But it’s worth it in order to get to a better place.

Ha ha, I bet the clientele at the health food store will be much more conscientious people!

 

[SageHill]

Sorry you had to go through all that. Some people are just plain terrible no matter what the situation is. You unfortunately had to work for them for awhile.
People like that are what JQ Public think breeders are. Very sad, because those are the exact people that I, and others like me, have to counter-act, and re-educate JQ Public about what responsible breeders are. Unfortunately, like all other things, JQ Public is not very receptive to learning the good things, and mostly just want to hang on to the horror stories and sing the praises of rescue.
Not down on your post, or what you've said at all (please don't get me wrong because I'm posting this), I'm just currently in the thick of raising a litter (last litter was 15 yrs ago) and have less and less time to do anything except work with, train, socialize, and of course the inevitable clean up after them. Something new every day, training every day, play etc. If someone said I made money at this --I'd make more sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee.
PS -- and I know you know all that as well.
LOL -- mine are 6 weeks old - come on over!!

 

[Poka_Doodle]

Just realized it's been a few years since I last heard from you. So sorry you got yourself in that position, but also happy you got out of it.
Sometimes it really does suck when you are sitting there in the thick of it and trying to keep a positive opinion because you know it makes showing up to work easier, but things aren't going well.
Glad to hear you got yourself into a much better job for you.

 

[luvmypets]

We put down my dog shadow today. Ive been weighing it heavily for months now but I knew in my heart that when it was his time he would let me know. Last night my intuition answered the question I’d been going over back and forth with a calm “yes”.

For the last 1-3 years his health has been declining however this year it really became apparent how different he has become. He started peeing in the house a lot more. I have suspected dementia for the last year that has been progressing to the point of peeing in the house 5+ times a day. Even if we left the door open he just chose to pee inside. He would also get stuck in barking loops outside where he would not come in unless we went out to get him as he was partially deaf. He would easily bark nonstop for 20-30 minutes its like he didnt have an off switch. On top of that he has had on and off illness, his latest being a nasty UTI about a month ago. After his round of antibiotics his ability to urinate became very inconsistent, often times youd see him in pee position but nothing was happening. Then about two weeks ago we started noticing sometimes there would be blood on the floor. We called the vet and they told us they could do imaging such as MRI or ultrasound but no matter what they found he was too old for much to be done. We grabbed a pain killer but my heart knew his time was near.

Last night i noticed blood all over the floor way more than usual as if small spurts had been coming out. I told my mom I thought it was time and I asked a higher power for absolute clarity come morning. I woke up at 5 AM and i had a feeling things had gone bad. I went downstairs to see how he was and the entire downstairs floor had 10-15 small spots of bloody urine.

We brought him to the vet and the vet said with his history he was convinced it was probably a tumor. And during examination the vet said he felt a hard lump and his prostate was enormous. I had already made my mind up but having the vet physically confirm it was very comforting. I could also see in the vets eyes how wuickly my boy was declining. The front desk lady found us a reeses peanut cup to give him and then they sedated him. He made us all laugh with how loud he was snoring. I sat on the floor with my pup as they gave him the final shot and he was gone right before the vet emptied the syringe.

I felt the moment he transitioned because after the heaviness of the day the air cleared and for a moment everything felt like pure peace. And I know without a doubt my father was waiting there to guide his best friend home.

There isn’t really enough words to describe what this dog meant to me. My dad adopted him when I was 11. We got him right before christmas. The bond my dad had with his dog was the stuff they put in hallmark movies. Shadow truly lived up to his name and went everywhere with him. When my dad passed shadow and I became attached at the hip. Looking back at it now he needed me as much as I needed him. And I feel that he truly held on to make sure I was strong enough. Because right now Im in a really good place after years of hell.

This year and particular has been amazing for my own growth in my career and in healing. I don’t think its a coincidence he started declining.

Here’s to the best damn dog Ive ever had…ever

Our last picture together, he was in a lot of pain

Peanut butter cup

Here was when he was snoring

Photo dump of him just being a good boy. He was the biggest bed hog

 

[Mini Horses]

The hardest thing we do, with love and an aching heart, is let them go with dignity. I am sorry for your loss of Shadow. He waited to get you thru growing up and his job was done, he was ready to rest. One day you'll meet again.

 

[SageHill]

Hugs.