Having a Hard Time with My Best Friend and Cushings - Summer is now at rest

[BrittanySpanielsRule]

Having a dog with Cushings is not easy. I love my Dog Summer. Shes a good girl, and has had a long life, she just turned 15. She still loves to walk when its no to cold out or her arthritus will act up but she just loves to be around me. She will follow me up and down stairs even at 15. She has had Cushings for a year now and we went with herbal supplements for treatment instead of the drugs the doctors want you to shell out hundred for. Last night she was following me up stairs and as she got to the last two must have lost her balance or footing and froze. I picked her up and it was fine. I had so many fun days of frisbee and cuddles and now I am sad those days are gone. I love having her around me and I dont think shes unhappy and I dont feel like its time to put her down but its hard seeing her like this. Part of it is her aging, the other part is the disease. She still loves her cookies and treats. https://www.flickr.com/photos/152788958@N02/38596010220/in/dateposted-public/

[labblab]

Hello and welcome to our family! I’m so sorry about these changes you and Summy are facing, but I’m so glad you’ve found us. I have to run out the door right now so can’t talk more until tomorrow. But I promise you that everybody here will understand just how much Summy means to you, and we’re here to support you two, no matter what you’re facing.

So once again, welcome!
Marianne

[DoxieMama]

Welcome to you and Summy! You don't need to apologize for "going on" ... share all you want. This is a safe place for people like us, with beautiful dogs who have found a way into our hearts and souls. Their lives are never long enough. Watching our loved ones age is hard, whether they are human, canine, feline or what.

Please give Summy a belly rub (if she likes them) from me!

Shana

[labblab]

Hello again to you and Summer. I see you’ve added an avatar of your sweet girl since I last visited your thread. I’ll bet that photo carries lots of wonderful memories of days spent with her playing close by your side. I know it’s so hard to watch our babies aging right before our eyes. I wish so much I had some tips or words of great wisdom to share. But I’m afraid that I’m still searching for comfort, myself, from the pain of the loss of Sweethearts of my own. I do want you to know, though, that we’d love to read any stories about your lives together that you’d care to share. Both the good times and the hard times — we will understand.

Given Summer’s age, I don’t disagree at all with your decision to support her without starting a rigorous prescription treatment protocol. For younger dogs, I feel much differently. But for our seniors, immediate quality of life is most important to me. Probably the very best medicine you can give her right now is your love, and it’s clear that she gets a huge dose of that every single day.

So thanks again for joining our family, and please give Summer a big pat for all of us here, OK?

Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and your precious Summer! :)

When I knew my heart-n-soul dog, Squirt, was in her last times, anticipatory grief was a constant companion and not an easy companion to live with. I spent a great deal of that time simply holding her or walking around our yard or taking her to places she loved and where people she loved lived. She ADORED my brother for some reason and loved where he lives - in fact, she and I lived with him for a while. So we made trips back to his house often. When she felt like walking, we walked and when she didn't or couldn't walk, I carried her around there and we walked and looked and talked.

I talked to her almost constantly when she was awake, telling her how much she was loved, that her last day would not be the end of us, that we would be together again, that she was going to a place where she would be with others who loved her but had gone before us. I reminded her of all the places we had traveled to, all the things we had seen and done, all the people who loved her and always would.

I denied her nothing unless I knew it would harm her immediately. I promised her no more scary rides for vet visits with pokes and prods, no more nasty meds she didn't absolutely have to have (I stopped her Cushing's medication among others). I asked nothing of her any more; I only asked of myself to make every day, every moment she had left to be the best possible I could provide.

When we love a dog so very much they burrow deep into our Souls and there they remain forever. It doesn't matter that I can no longer touch her or hold her as I so want to - she is here. She is with me and will be for all time. I firmly believe that when my job here on Earth is done I too will cross thru that veil and she will be there waiting just as will all those I have loved. When the grief returns to weigh me down, I remind myself this stage is just temporary, that it will pass and I will once again hold my Sweet Bebe.

Love your precious girl in every way that matters to her and to you. Make memories that you can one day look on and cherish. Know she loves you just as you love her. Know she trusts you completely. And know you are no longer alone on this part of her journey - you both have a new family here who fully understand. We will walk every step thru this valley with you.

Hugs,
Leslie

[BrittanySpanielsRule]

Than you everyone for your responses. Its nice to be a part of this forum and share these experiences. It definitely helps !!!!

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too. Every year is precious with them and it always seems that the older it gets the more precious that time feels to be.

I wasn't ready at all when my best friend passed and I don't honestly think I ever would have been. She was the heart and soul of our neighborhood, with everyone loving her and she ruled our house like the diva she was. I always remember her as that poor little scared pup at the rescue, shaved down as her hair had been matted so badly and she just shook and shook she was so scared.

She bulldozed through cushings like it was nothing, but her kidneys gave out eventually and it was seriously one of the hardest times I can remember going through. Seeing her age as her body fought, knowing that she still wanted to do the things she loved, but her it was her body failing her and not her spirit. That's hard.

We all know how hard it can be see those little signs that age and their bodies are catching up with them. I had to finally put a gate on my stairs so molly coudn't go up and down after me or even before me as she loved to do, as it was just too big of a risk for her to fall and seriously get hurt. That really was not a fun day, as she didn't get why she couldn't come and go as she had for years and years.

Sigh, the spirit is strong in these furbabies.

[BrittanySpanielsRule]

Went through a pretty rough night with my Summer girl. She fell a few times in the night getting up to move around and lost her footing trying to get up and down the stairs outside and up to my bedroom last night. She was up alot last night, panting, and restless. She stays with my mother during the week while Im at work and she was our family dog this past 15 years so were all a little upset over her decline. My mother mentioned having this friend whose a vet come to put her down when she can no longer walk. I immediately wanted to cry, but I assume this will be easier than having to make a trip to the vet when the time comes. It sucks she still seems happy and loves to be around us all, but I think the Cushings is weakening her back legs and is probably slowly taking a toll on her. I think we've all agreed that when she can't walk it will be time. I have had other dogs put to sleep before, I couldn't stay the whole time, it was to upsetting. I said goodbye as they were given the anastesia. I couldn't stay for the end although my sister and my parents did and they said it was a beautiful ending feeling her heart stop in their hands and saying goodbye to Summers sister 8 years ago. I feel awful for not staying for that but Im not capable of going through that and dealing with the sadness. Im hoping this home visit will be easier. I am still hoping she feels better and this wont happen anytime soon, but after last night, Im starting to wonder if this is her starting to fail. We will be prepared if and when. We have done all we can to make her feel loved and cared for. I don't want to see her suffer either. As a guy your expected to deal alot of what life throws at you and be strong but when its someone you love, its never easy making such a choice...

[Catbud]

I am sorry for your sadness - I fear I will be in the same situation soon - thank you for sharing.

[labblab]

I’m so sorry your sweet Summer is getting more unsteady. The same thing happened with my beloved Lab girl, and my husband and I made the same decision — we supported her as long as we could, but when she couldn’t walk any more, we decided it was most merciful to let her go. But how hard it was to do! I think it’s good for you to have a plan in mind, even though we all surely hope you’ll still have more time left together. No matter what, we’ll always be right here for you and for Summer. I’m sending my warmest thoughts to you both.

Marianne

[kwhit]

I’m going through this with my Golden, Chance. Today has been the worst day. I couldn’t get him up. He didn’t want me even trying. I finally did get him up on his feet but he fell trying to walk just a few feet. Then he wet himself. I went to get a towel and water to clean him and when I got back to him, he had crawled out into the hallway so he wasn’t laying in his urine. I couldn’t stop crying, but then I didn’t want him to feel my stress so I stopped and cleaned him up. He fell asleep as I was blow drying him. He’s still in the hallway asleep. I know exactly how your feeling. Chance is my world and I’ve never been so scared as I am right now...

[BrittanySpanielsRule]

So does anyone know if the panting associated with Cushings causes breathing problems? in other words are they suffering or struggling to breathe? or is it just excess breathing?....

[Harley PoMMom]

Panting is very common with cush dogs this is due to a few things: the increased fat deposition over the thorax, and also the fat distribution to the abdomen which increases pressure on the diaphragm. It also seems that our cushpups run at a higher temperature. Whether this excessive panting is damaging to the respiratory system, I really don't know.

[BrittanySpanielsRule]

Today will be a tough day for me. Summer has gotten to a point where she isn't eating much, she collapsed when peeing and she has been walking around and bumping into things. My mother and father can't see her suffer anymore and it breaks my heart to see her like this. This will be a difficult day. She lived to almost be 16 so she had a great life. I hate this damn disease and what its done to her. I hate that my friend has to go through this. Its so unfair. Couldn't sleep all night and she will be passing over the bridge today at 1pm...

[Joan2517]

I'm so sorry. It's such a difficult decision to make. Many, many hugs to you...

[BrittanySpanielsRule]

i'm so sorry. It's such a difficult decision to make. Many, many hugs to you...

thank you so much for the kind words !!

[labblab]

Oh, I am so deeply sorry, too. Thank you so much for coming back to tell us. I’ll surely be holding your entire family in my heart today, and especially sweet Summer. We will continue to honor her here, always. And we’ll also be here for you, too, whenever you may wish to return to us.

I’ve merged these new replies into your original thread. This way, Summer’s entire brave journey will be memorialized on this single thread. Brave, dear girl, indeed. Fare thee well, sweet Summer, on your newest journey ~

Sending tons of hugs and my warmest wishes to you all for peace and comfort.
Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today, tomorrow, and in the times to come.


Instructions To a Guardian Angel of Dogs
By ginger Patton

Hello. I’ve been expecting you for quite some time.
Here, come sit beside us for awhile .
and let me tell you about this old friend of mine.
She might look tattered or maybe old
But I won’t say goodbye until you’ve been told.
She had the brightest eyes I had ever seen,
And wore a beautiful fur coat that would out shine a queen .
She was never prissy but walked with an aire ……
And oh so polite, you could take her most anywhere.
She could run like the wind and could catch anything she chased
But she protected and sat with me when I had problems to face.
You could not find a friend nearly so dear.
Because no matter the trouble she always stayed near…
She has never asked for much from me;
Just to love and respect her and I think you’ll agree .
To give her a good meal plus a nice warm bed is not much to ask ;
When she has given me all her love and to her this was no task.
Now I understand you have a schedule to keep.
But I have a small favor before she nods off to sleep.
Please fold your wings around her and let her feel young while in no pain ;
Dear Guardian Angel of Pets ,
please keep her safe and happy until I see her again.

By Ginger Patton

[FoxFire]

It is time for you to rest in peace sweet Summer.

You did your job of bringing friendship joy love and comfort admirably.

*Hugs* to you and your family.

[BrittanySpanielsRule]

Thanks to everyone on this board. We had such a beautiful day yesterday. My mother, wife, sister and father took her to her favorite lake for swimming and fishing, she was tuckered out. She had her favorite cheeseburger, plenty of love and pets. The traveling vet tech arrived and we gave her a beautiful send off. Yes it was heart wrenching, but it was also the most beautiful ending imaginable. Surrounded by friends and love she made her way in peace across the bridge, the sound of running water and the love of theose around her. You will be missed my Summer. I will see you again someday, I know it....

[labblab]

Oh gosh, thank you again, so much, for sharing Summer with us. Your description of her final hours cradled in your family’s embrace brings tears to my eyes. We want you to know that Summer has now joined our other angels on our special memorial thread of honor:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?8846-Remembering-All-Who-Have-Left-Us-(2018)

I will contact you soon to see if you’d like to link a photo of Summer along with her memorial line. In the meantime, our entire K9C family shares our sympathy and our support. But truly, it sounds as though Summer’s was a life so well-lived and so well-loved from beginning to end. Hopefully that will be a joyful thought even in the midst of your sadness and loss.

Many more hugs coming your way,
Marianne