Crossroads & The Pact We Make with Our Pets
So this past weekend I went to Seattle to visit with The Twins. More than just a normal romp, it was also about just spending time with them as they go through a very difficult time. Their Dad, a most awesome fellow, was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago - and now the word is he may not see 2015. I only spoke in depth to one sister about this - the other knows I am there if she wants to talk. Mostly we just focused on having fun and being as normal as possible in light of all the drama in all of our lives. Went to see Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Frankenstein' for Halloween, eating a LOT of waffles. And a really special treat: Fran and I went to the zoo on Saturday specifically to see the red pandas. As we stood there reading the map, a very nice zookeeper asked if he could help us. When we enthusiastically asked the way to the red pandas, he said "Well they aren't actually out today, but follow me". John, the most awesome keeper, took us behind the scenes to meet the pandas up close. It was really amazing - got to feed them, pet them (insanely soft!!) and it was just a terrific gift he gave us. He said he was glad to because he likes giving visitors really special moments with the animals if he can, and it reminds him to be thankful everyday that this IS HIS JOB!
So, high on the glow of a very good visit with two of my best friends, I head home. When I landed, there was a message from my kennel that there was an incident earlier that day, and could I call. Turns out that Sebi had a seizure - but he seemed in reasonably good kip when I picked him up. And I love my kennel - they are staffed by vet techs & vet students so of course he was well looked after. I called my vet on the way home and set up an appointment for the next day (and by the time I made it to the kennel, like 15 minutes after this all started, they had already spoken with the vet's office - good folks all around).
Sebi had another seizure as soon as I got home. It is terrifying to watch something so overwhelming knowing you are helpless. Cut to the chase - he had 4 seizures in as many hours and in the emergency room, proceeded to have another. The only benefit of that was it got him to the head of the line immediately.
He's home now, and very woozy from the drugs managing his seizures on top of the other things he had to imbibe to be tested/x-rayed/ all of it. He is comfortable enough, although his back legs are determined to go their own way about 50% of the time. His tumor seems to have come back - we're testing to see if it is the type that may have gone to his brain, hence the fits.
It's been a very stressful 48 hours, and one where I have had to seriously think about Sebi's fate. It's part of the deal we all have with our pets - that we will take care of them and love them and when it's time send them off with peace if we can - but it's mostly way back in our minds. Until now. Sebi is 13, which is on the aged side for a dog of his size. He may have a few more months and even years in him, but I have to make sure they are *good* years. I had the initial results of his biopsy, but the vet needs to talk with the oncologist in detail to get a better sense of what is going on. He's probably going to need an MRI (which means more anesthesia, which makes me anxious because the barbiturates for the seizures already have him stoned and impaired) before we have the picture at 100%.
I'm not going to do anything wild for my lovable and rather daft old dog. I am going to make him comfortable, and I am going to make sure we get as many *good* days together as we can. He's been a huge part of my life for 9 years, I love him to pieces, and I only sobbed once so far (in public of course).
It looks like the next couple of months are going to be tough on many fronts, but I know we will all get through even if we get a little beat up and bloodied as we do it.
So, high on the glow of a very good visit with two of my best friends, I head home. When I landed, there was a message from my kennel that there was an incident earlier that day, and could I call. Turns out that Sebi had a seizure - but he seemed in reasonably good kip when I picked him up. And I love my kennel - they are staffed by vet techs & vet students so of course he was well looked after. I called my vet on the way home and set up an appointment for the next day (and by the time I made it to the kennel, like 15 minutes after this all started, they had already spoken with the vet's office - good folks all around).
Sebi had another seizure as soon as I got home. It is terrifying to watch something so overwhelming knowing you are helpless. Cut to the chase - he had 4 seizures in as many hours and in the emergency room, proceeded to have another. The only benefit of that was it got him to the head of the line immediately.
He's home now, and very woozy from the drugs managing his seizures on top of the other things he had to imbibe to be tested/x-rayed/ all of it. He is comfortable enough, although his back legs are determined to go their own way about 50% of the time. His tumor seems to have come back - we're testing to see if it is the type that may have gone to his brain, hence the fits.
It's been a very stressful 48 hours, and one where I have had to seriously think about Sebi's fate. It's part of the deal we all have with our pets - that we will take care of them and love them and when it's time send them off with peace if we can - but it's mostly way back in our minds. Until now. Sebi is 13, which is on the aged side for a dog of his size. He may have a few more months and even years in him, but I have to make sure they are *good* years. I had the initial results of his biopsy, but the vet needs to talk with the oncologist in detail to get a better sense of what is going on. He's probably going to need an MRI (which means more anesthesia, which makes me anxious because the barbiturates for the seizures already have him stoned and impaired) before we have the picture at 100%.
I'm not going to do anything wild for my lovable and rather daft old dog. I am going to make him comfortable, and I am going to make sure we get as many *good* days together as we can. He's been a huge part of my life for 9 years, I love him to pieces, and I only sobbed once so far (in public of course).
It looks like the next couple of months are going to be tough on many fronts, but I know we will all get through even if we get a little beat up and bloodied as we do it.