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#1 |
Radical Centrist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cottage of Prussia
Posts: 31,423
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The vets have given Pearl a final inning
When she was 8, the vets found Pearl's heart murmur. The head vet, the guy who owns the whole practice, talked to me about it. "Her normal life expectancy would be 12 years. With this, she might go at 10," he said.
Pearl is 13. Her heart is very much enlarged, and she will die of congestive heart failure. We know this. For the last two months she has started having seizure-like cardiac episodes, where she has an arrhythmia and falls over, unconscious. She's out of it for 30-60 seconds, and then she recovers for 5-15 minutes. She's generally not in pain during these things, although she is anxious. It happens when she's excited, or when she exerts herself. Every time, I wonder if this is the last. If this is the one that gets her. To keep her going as long as possible, she is on a cocktail of four different drugs. The vet has increased the number and dosage she's on over time. For the last few days she has been reacting well to the last increase. This gives me hope that she will hang on for another few months. Maybe the move won't be so difficult for her, and she'll have a little time at the new place. Her EKG was improved at the last visit. Modern veterinary drugs are doing for my dog what major surgery did for my mom. That's what I hope. I love my dog so much, you can't believe it. With all the change happening in my life, it is a favor the vets and the world are doing for me, keeping her going a little while longer. |
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#2 |
still says videotape
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,813
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Hang in there Pearl.
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If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis |
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#3 |
Not Suspicious, Merely Canadian
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,774
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Wishing you a happy holiday season with Pearl, UT. I'm glad the vets are able to help her out with meds. Best wishes.
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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. - Ghandi ![]() |
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#4 |
Glutton for Gluttony
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 1,409
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Best wishes for Pearl's health.
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#5 |
Goon Squad Leader
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 27,063
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happy thanksgiving pearl
chill out little one. It's all gonna be alright. Happy Thanksgiving to you too UT. have some turkey and some chill if you can too. you've been good, very good to Pearl, and she knows it. much love to both of you.
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Be Just and Fear Not. |
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#6 |
The future is unwritten
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 71,105
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Knowing in advance, even 5 years in advance, doesn't help one damn bit.
![]() Pearl has repaid her room & board many times over, and you've been loyal to her. Shows you can maintain a healthy relationship, if the other half holds up their end. I remember suggesting you get another dog when you lost the last one, so Pearl would have company and you would have a buddy when Pearl eventually wore out. You didn't, and now with all the shit going on in your life, if that was a good or bad move.
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The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. |
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#7 |
™
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 27,717
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Sorry, UT!
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#8 | |
Radical Centrist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cottage of Prussia
Posts: 31,423
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Quote:
I will be looking to adopt, I think, when the time comes. |
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#9 | |
lobber of scimitars
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phila Burbs
Posts: 20,774
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Quote:
I have a cow orker at the rehab who has a rescue. Let me know if you ever choose add a furry family member and I'll. Get you connected with her.
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![]() ![]() "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis Last edited by wolf; 11-29-2012 at 09:32 AM. |
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#10 |
Person who doesn't update the user title
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,002
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Crap. Pearl knows how loved she is, and you know how much she loves you in return. That's the amazing part. My heart is with you both.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Not here
Posts: 2,655
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That's really sad, UT. Sorry to hear and hope Pearl and you will still have some time together.
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#12 |
To shreds, you say?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet!
Posts: 18,449
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Very sorry to hear about Pearl, she's always been one of my favorite imaginary dogs.
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The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs |
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#13 |
Encroaching on your decrees
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland
Posts: 7,016
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Keeping my fingers crossed for you and Pearl - that she can help you move, and approve your new place, and that the parting, when it comes, is gentle to you both.
Sent by thought transference.
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#14 |
Slattern of the Swail
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 15,654
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Oh, UT. UT & Pearl.
My heart goes out to you both. I'm so glad Pearl is responding to her new dosage. I know how much you love her-ever since that first pic of her you ever posted of her little doggie self that I saw. I knew that she was beloved- she had that *look* dogs get when they get good love. Like Carrot- *that* look.
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In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum |
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#15 |
polaroid of perfection
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 24,185
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True, UT. Would you be able to pay for all Pearl's meds if you had another dog? Would she get all your attention?
I value Bruce's opinion, but just the way things worked out I think you made the right decision. I can taste your grief in the back of my throat. It's so bitter to lose a living being that gave and received love so selflessly. And know your only real hope of consolation is it not hurting so much one day. My love to you. Pearl doesn't need it. She has your love and her life has been perfect from her perspective because of it.
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Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac |
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