Dog Days

Ancient and decrepit Daisy Dog is ill.  Given the paucity of food entering at the front end, and the rather alarming results leaving at the back end, the most likely situation is the presence of a bleeding stomach ulcer.  The other possibility is that she has some form of stomach cancer. Right now, she is being treated for an ulcer.  If she does not improve, an ultrasound has been recommended to determine what is transpiring in her innards.

Cost aside (and it has been, and will continue to be, not an insignificant cost), it is a difficult situation. Daisy does not willingly take pills. She is crabby, arthritic and stiff and short-tempered. She has big teeth. She could be quite dangerous.

The possibility exists that the medication regimen -- one of this pill twice a day; one of that pill twice a day; two of those pills once a day; and one of another pill three times a day (in addition to her regular pill once a day) -- will resolve her issues and she'll do well.  The possibility also exists, of course, that this is a large step along the path of age that Daisy has been strolling down for a bit now, and that soon, larger decisions will need to be made.

An assessment of her Quality of Life.  A balancing of all the factors.  And, creeping ever forward steadily, a final goodbye.

Herself does not handle ill pets well.  She never has.  There is no reasoning with an animal; no available form of communication to discuss what is wrong and what can be done to fix it; no explaining why pills must be swallowed and why needles must be poked.  No possible words of comfort.

Between Daisy's complicated schedule of pills and lack of appetite, and twice-daily insulin and careful food monitoring for Ottoman-shaped dog, Herself is a wee bit stressed and irritable.  Adding in the ancient cockatiel who surely already has one foot in the grave; the rotund guinea pig who is also quite elderly and has taken to hiding more and more often (never a good sign); and the older-than-dirt fish that has been floating a bit sideways these past few days, and Herself begins to despair. So many creatures depending on her for their every need.  She wants to run away screaming from the responsibility for the pets' health, their lives, and their eventual deaths. 

She cannot do so.  They rely upon her.  The pets have given her and the family a great deal of happiness. She will not abandon the pets in their times of need. 

She hopes the Universe will forgive her for being a tiny bit relieved when the pets' ends finally arrive.