Comments on: Heart condition http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/ notes from the crossroads of mother and father Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:23:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: She lived to mooch; she mooched to live at LesbianDad http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-81924 She lived to mooch; she mooched to live at LesbianDad Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:31:01 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-81924 [...] Max, Jr. October ?, 1993 – March 19, 2007. [Photo taken: September 8, 2006.] [...] [...] Max, Jr. October ?, 1993 – March 19, 2007. [Photo taken: September 8, 2006.] [...]

]]> By: konagod http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2681 konagod Sun, 18 Mar 2007 21:31:29 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2681 I hope this is a comforting thought, but I honestly believe they know and understand far more than we give them credit for. It's been almost 3 years since my old cat Jezebel had to be put to sleep. She had kidney failure and it was the most horrendous experience. At least I got to spend a moment with her at the vet's office before they did what had to be done. She and I had a moment of eye contact and there was a sense of understanding. She knew she was dying and more importantly she knew I loved her. I can't even write about it without getting very choked up. Just enjoy the time you have, and relish it. I have another cat that may not be with us much longer. She's lost a lot of weight and I'm thankful for each day we have with her. I hope this is a comforting thought, but I honestly believe they know and understand far more than we give them credit for. It’s been almost 3 years since my old cat Jezebel had to be put to sleep. She had kidney failure and it was the most horrendous experience. At least I got to spend a moment with her at the vet’s office before they did what had to be done. She and I had a moment of eye contact and there was a sense of understanding. She knew she was dying and more importantly she knew I loved her. I can’t even write about it without getting very choked up.

Just enjoy the time you have, and relish it. I have another cat that may not be with us much longer. She’s lost a lot of weight and I’m thankful for each day we have with her.

]]> By: LesbianDad http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2677 LesbianDad Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:07:39 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2677 Thank you thank you for your compassion. "Oh! Life!" indeed. Thank you thank you for your compassion. “Oh! Life!” indeed.

]]> By: giddings http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2427 giddings Sat, 17 Mar 2007 18:05:05 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2427 Sometimes the paralell-ness of our lives is spooky to me (you don't even know the half of it). I just found out (three weeks ago) that my beloved cat, Emma, is on her way to the next world as well. They initially thought her lethargia was a heart murmur, but now they think she has some 'left brain thing' and not the good left brain thing. It may have been a stroke, or an infection, but is, more likely, the "C" word. It has not been a steep decline, but we've really noticed changes in her lately. Now, especially, it is as though she's forgotten how to use her left front paw and I am often helping her into and out of the litter box. I've had her since 1991 and, like Max in your life, he's seen more than 9 lives of my own. Good luck and I'll be thinking of you as we travel these similar roads together. Sometimes the paralell-ness of our lives is spooky to me (you don’t even know the half of it). I just found out (three weeks ago) that my beloved cat, Emma, is on her way to the next world as well. They initially thought her lethargia was a heart murmur, but now they think she has some ‘left brain thing’ and not the good left brain thing. It may have been a stroke, or an infection, but is, more likely, the “C” word. It has not been a steep decline, but we’ve really noticed changes in her lately. Now, especially, it is as though she’s forgotten how to use her left front paw and I am often helping her into and out of the litter box.

I’ve had her since 1991 and, like Max in your life, he’s seen more than 9 lives of my own.

Good luck and I’ll be thinking of you as we travel these similar roads together.

]]> By: eleanor http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2422 eleanor Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:42:29 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2422 Oh! Life! I lost my canine sweetheart a little over a year ago. I say "lost" even though we put him down intentionally. He was 13 and virtually paralyzed with arthritis--totally incontinent and frozen with pain. I'm sorry to say I never saw the bus. My ex- and dog-partner (long story) wanted to wait until we did but we never did! Until...the home visit vet gave him a preparatory sedative--that's when we all saw the bus. His little furry body relaxed for the first time in Years--and we knew. We'd all been grieving the decision while the bus sat patiently idling at our stop. Good luck, and peace, and blessings. Oh! Life! I lost my canine sweetheart a little over a year ago. I say “lost” even though we put him down intentionally. He was 13 and virtually paralyzed with arthritis–totally incontinent and frozen with pain. I’m sorry to say I never saw the bus. My ex- and dog-partner (long story) wanted to wait until we did but we never did! Until…the home visit vet gave him a preparatory sedative–that’s when we all saw the bus. His little furry body relaxed for the first time in Years–and we knew. We’d all been grieving the decision while the bus sat patiently idling at our stop.
Good luck, and peace, and blessings.

]]> By: Lizzywiz http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2360 Lizzywiz Sat, 17 Mar 2007 14:11:09 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2360 What a wonderful posting -- you've so eloquently captured the beautiful relationship with your dog. I'll be thinking peaceful thoughts for her and you during this time. Liz What a wonderful posting — you’ve so eloquently captured the beautiful relationship with your dog. I’ll be thinking peaceful thoughts for her and you during this time. Liz

]]> By: LesbianDad http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2292 LesbianDad Sat, 17 Mar 2007 01:27:47 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2292 Off I go to read. Thank you. <font color=#999999>later:</font> The Zeke oevre, <a href="http://faultline.org/index.php/site/categories/C4/">here</a>. I'd read him just once some time back, after running across one of his comments in the Twisty Faster commentariat. A treasure, generally, and particularly on this topic for me at the moment. Thank you, virgotex. Off I go to read. Thank you.

later: The Zeke oevre, here. I’d read him just once some time back, after running across one of his comments in the Twisty Faster commentariat. A treasure, generally, and particularly on this topic for me at the moment. Thank you, virgotex.

]]> By: virgotex http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2289 virgotex Sat, 17 Mar 2007 01:04:22 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2289 Of course you will know. So don't worry about that. It doesn't make it easier, knowing; and knowing that you will know. It's a heaviness but it's part of what you signed onto, opening your heart to Max so many years ago. You couldn't close that door now if you tried. Have you read Chris Clarke's blogging about his dog Zeke's decline and passing? If you haven't, it might help. He writes beautifully, with his whole heart: <a href="http://faultline.org/" rel="nofollow">Creek Running North</a> Of course you will know. So don’t worry about that.

It doesn’t make it easier, knowing; and knowing that you will know. It’s a heaviness but it’s part of what you signed onto, opening your heart to Max so many years ago. You couldn’t close that door now if you tried.

Have you read Chris Clarke’s blogging about his dog Zeke’s decline and passing? If you haven’t, it might help. He writes beautifully, with his whole heart:

Creek Running North

]]> By: librarygrrrl http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2262 librarygrrrl Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:16:10 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2262 I'm in tears here - these dear, sweet animals spend far too short a time in our lives. Like you, I found my first dog in a time of great need and loss. She's seen me through some of the darkest times of my life. I only hope that I'm as lucky as you, and that I get to spend 8 more years with her (for it's her 5th birthday tomorrow!) Maxie will tell you when it's time. And when it is time, know that the love of all the dog people in the world is with you, for we too understand how hard it is to say good-bye. I’m in tears here - these dear, sweet animals spend far too short a time in our lives. Like you, I found my first dog in a time of great need and loss. She’s seen me through some of the darkest times of my life. I only hope that I’m as lucky as you, and that I get to spend 8 more years with her (for it’s her 5th birthday tomorrow!)

Maxie will tell you when it’s time. And when it is time, know that the love of all the dog people in the world is with you, for we too understand how hard it is to say good-bye.

]]> By: katieschwartz http://www.lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2232 katieschwartz Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:42:48 +0000 http://lesbiandad.net/2007/03/16/heart-condition/#comment-2232 my heart breaks for you and for your four legged honey. exquisite post. I am so, so sorry. my heart breaks for you and for your four legged honey. exquisite post. I am so, so sorry.

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