Our Daisy Dog is probably dying.
About a year ago, people would comment about how skinny she is getting. We chalked it up to taking her out on walks more frequently. But, she kept shedding her weight and today, she is skin and bones. You can see each and every one of her ribs whether she's standing, sitting, or laying down.
It's very very sad.
I'm a pretty sensitive, compassionate person. But, it's easy for me to accept that Daisy is on her way out. Unless she pulls through and somehow starts managing her food better, gaining weight, finding energy, and being more of a companion to us - I will look forward to the day she rests in peace.
Does that make me sound horrible?
Maybe I should further explain. A month or two ago, we took Daisy into the vet, and the vet said she probably had some kind of a virus. She was given antibiotics and new food that is supposed to be gentler on the stomach. We took good care of her, diligently gave her the medicine and watched her walk right by her food dish almost every day.
She would eat a whole bowl of food over the span of about 4-5 days. She just didn't want to touch the stuff.
And then she started throwing up in random places of the house.
Ew.
So, we took her back to the vet, and they told us that they don't know what's wrong with our sickly dog. We could pay as much as $600 for x-rays and scans that would give us a diagnosis. Then, treatment would be... who knows how much more money. They'd be looking for something foreign in her digestive system that is keeping her from getting the nutrition from her food - and if they found that, it would be expensive surgery and boarding. Or, they'd find a lump to indicate that Daisy could have cancer. If that was the case, we'd be looking at expensive chemo or radiation.
On our dog.
So, we left the vet broken hearted and yet hopeful that Daisy would make a comeback. (For those of you who don't know - Daisy was just $20 away from receiving a lethal shot back in 2004 when she got very very sick and the doctors didn't know what was wrong with her. Strangely, she got better overnight after we agreed to "just give it one more night and see what happens.") We decided to mix her old food in with her new food, enticing her to eat at least.... and she loved it.
She eats one or two bowls of food a day now, which really made us happy and relieved. We thought she was bouncing back. Who knows maybe she is?
The problem is that her food is all coming right back out again. Either by way of vomit or diahrreah.
Ew.
I have two small kids of my own, plus I watch two small kiddos to maintain my childcare business. I stay pretty busy and active as it is - but with a puking, leaking, pathetic skinny dog to manage as well? Well, this might make me sound pretty insensitive - but there are days when I just hope she'll go in peace so that there's a little less to clean up after, if you know what I mean.
Ugh.
We've had our Daisy dog since 2001 - we got here just after we were married. She was a 6 week old puppy then. She has been a gentle, relaxed companion for us. We love her, she is almost like a part of the family.
But, if she doesn't get well soon - we're going to have to let her go. That will be a very sad day. I can't imagine how it will affect the kids.
I just want my old Daisy dog back. The one that's happy to be here - the healthy, playful dog that she once was. But, whatever it is that's got her sick right now - it's either taking her life or making her stronger. Let's just hope that one way or the other, she turns a corner. Because right now, it's just too sad (and gross) to experience.
