A post I don't really want to write....

[fiberaddict]

Zoey isn't doing too well. She's 7, almost 8, which for a Wolfhound is getting ancient. She's been slowing down over the past few months - shuffling instead of strolling, preferring to lounge around in 1 spot instead of moving to maximize the potential of humans stepping on her, watching the goats from the porch instead of by the fence. We've made allowances - not forcing her off the couch, leaving pillows down, learning to nudge her over with the side of my foot instead of making her get up and move......but time marches on.

For the past couple of weeks, she's had a problem getting up and down. Her back legs couldn't seem to get a grip on the laminate floors....so, we started putting down towels for her. We even discussed putting in carpet, just to make it easier for her (what? She's a family member in good standing, just like my children!)......but now, I don't think that'll be necessary.

Monday evening, I heard her fall. I got out of bed and checked her - she seemed a little doozy, but OK. She shambled into my bedroom, and crashed on the rug. Yesterday morning, she had moved to the kitchen.......only she was still there when I got home. I was a little concerned - she *always* meets me at the door, to frisk me and make sure no evil left-overs were trying to infiltrate. Last night? She didn't budge.

We tempted her with all her favorite foods - peanut butter, scrambled eggs, Fruit Loops (again, what? She's been our vaccuum-cleaner/disposal forever.).....she refused them all. I wasn't worried until we tried the peanut butter - this is a dog that would take the can off of the counter, unscrew the lid, and proceed to neatly clean out the jar - a couple of times she even put the empty jar BACK on the counter, I guess to "hide" the evidence. (This is the same dog that ATE an entire jar of WoodBeams - she wasn't able to unscrew the lid, so she very neatly split the bottom and licked it all out. WoodBeams - while fantastic on wood - turns into a very slick, very hard concrete-like substance when mixed with Wolfhound drool and pancake mix.)

This morning, she had drug herself to the family room. I got her to take some water, but....things don't look good. SG has class tonight.....I can't get her into the car to take her to a vet. She's big.....and still too heavy for me to lift. Is it horrible of me to hope she passes at home, without medical help? Or is it cowardice?

I don't know what I'll do with a huge Wolfhound-sized hole in our house. I don't even want to think about it....but it's inevitable. (I'm sitting here crying now, and - as far as I know - she's still *here*.) I know I don't want to live without one, but replacing her will be impossible - there's only 1 Zoey-monster. (I have already applied to get on the waiting list of the IW Rescue group, but they don't get that many in. I'd prefer a rescue to a breeder.....)

I just....this is gonna be very hard.

Comments

[ali snowdale (from livejournal.com)]

Sorry about your Zoey. We had to go through this last year with my son's dog, we got her when he was 18 months old, and they did everything together. She had developed a tumor on her inner thigh and the vet said surgery wasn't an option - since my son and his pup had gone trunk or treating almost every year together as some kind of theme, I told her she could have one more and then after that it was pretty clear that she wasn't enjoying herself so we took her in. Course she was only a #60 boxer - I am sure the wolfhound is twice that.
If it was me I could make her a comfortable place on a blanket (because eventually you will have to move her and that will make it much easier)I don't think it is cowardice to want her to pass away in her home where she was loved for many years. How are your kids with it?

[fiberaddict.livejournal.com]

Oh, Lord, the kids are ALL kinds of upset! We got Zoey 4 months after we moved in here - she was barely 1 year old. She's been here thru it all - and she's always been the big, goofy, silly critter that tried to make us happy. Like when, 1 day after we got her, she was watching the kids eat lunch. I ran to the bathroom, and had *just* flushed when I heard yelling. I barely yanked my sweats up while running out the door, thinking "OhMyGosh, what Have I done? I left my babies with that *HUGE* animal and she's eating them!"....only to find 4 year old Ian with his arm down her throat (up to his shoulder), and the poor dog with her mouth open and this silly "Help me!" look on her face. Seems he left his mac'n'cheese to get a cup of water, and she decided it was fair game. He was trying to *get it back*. :shakes head:

Steven's trying to get off at noon, and we'll go and take her in. I...don't wanna go, but I can't let him be the adult. My boss can suck it up.....:sigh:

Yeah, she's a *little* bit bigger than a boxer. Last time I weighed her, she was #160....but that's been a while. :points to icon: She was 2, there - and almost as long as me (I dared lay down on *her* couch! And not give her room!)

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. When they made her, they broke the mold -- she'll be irreplaceable.

It's tough being the grownup and doing the right thing, but she deserves it. She's been a good and faithful part of your family, she deserves a graceful and gentle exit.

[(Anonymous)]

It's going to be really hard but you're doing the right thing. I've had Wolfhounds for about 15 years so have been through the same a few times. It doesn't get easier but I always felt it was only fair to be with them when it was time to let them go. In the end I'm glad I've been with each one.

It will take some time for you and your family to adjust to the Wolfhound size hole but you will and you will remember all the best things about Zoey and how much you loved her.

My condolences to you and your family.

Fran