Living with a brilliant, edgy, athletic dog who suffers from long-term, life-threatening brain inflammation means saying goodbye to what once was.
This is the first in a series of posts:
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7 Things I Already Miss
- Believing we had many years together ahead of us
- Being able to go anywhere without worrying about Lilly and racing home to take care of her
- Living with a dog who can potty on her own
- Having Lilly understand and respond to verbal cues quickly
- Taking hikes / walks together
- Doing agility (badly and at home)
- Bonding by taking regular (advanced) dog training classes (group pet dog classes, private herding lessons)
After I published this, I thought of several more.
Snuggling in bed – Lilly cannot get on the bed without help and no longer wants to / seems comfortable on it.
The way she used to fly down the hall, leap onto the bed, and bank off me like a flyball box … when Tom told her to “Go get Mommy”! in the morning.
Sleeping like a real person. Lilly seems to have lost the ability to sleep past about 4:30 – 5:00 am.
OK, one more … wagging. Lilly can no longer wag.
Know what you are going through. Last month we lost our sweet little Loki to Meningioncephalis, Immune mediated. He was only 18 months old and we are devastated. We were always hopeful and never expected this outcome. But since he died, I have been reading a lot about it and that is why I ran across this blog.
Oh, Mari. I’m so sorry to hear about Loki. These brain diseases are just SO awful. We’re still in the fight (22 months and counting), but it isn’t easy.
OMG Rox – you scared the heck out of me! I’m so far behind on my blog reading, and when I saw the title, I thought I missed something! Going through this with Lilly is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because she is still with you, and a curse because of all the things you both have to endure to keep her going. But in the long run, you will be happy to have had the time together.
Oh, Vicki! I’m sorry the post title scared you. Lilly is hanging in there. I’ve recently done a series of posts about what I already miss, what I WILL miss, and what I WON’T miss.
It must be SO hard trying to find a “new normal” (whatever that is, right?). People say cherish the gift of being together – no matter what that together is like – but gosh, you still miss the stuff you miss. No way around it.
I’m so sad for you and Lilly. Not being able to “Go Get Mommy” is the one that got to me. Love the new look.
We all take the simple things for granted, this post is a good reminder that we definitely shouldn’t.
Oh gosh, Roxanne, I have tears streaming. I am so so sorry for all this.. my heart goes out to you. Lilly knows she is loved and that is something neither she nor you will ever have to miss.
No more wagging is the saddest of all. I’m so sorry.
I love following your blog. Your love for Lilly is an inspiration. She also has such a big heart. Our 10 year old Chihauha has damage from a collar. The vet never mentioned it would happen if he wore a collar. Thanks for sharing and making us aware. Love to Lilly
After care giving for our dachshund, Molly, for two years, who had an enlarged heart, I can relate to so many of these. Molly also became uncomfortable in the bed, although she never completely stopped sleeping with us, only wanting out earlier and more often. It does seem extra sad hat Lilly is unable to wag. We continue to send you positive thoughts from me and the Fearless Five. On a happy note, your new look is awesome!
This post proves to me again that pets are our everything – their impact on us and how they grow to be a part of our … everything … cannot be captured by words.
So sad 🙁
No words. Just a deep, sad sigh.
Dogs seem so helpless when they are not well. Don’t you wish they could talk to us?
PS. Love your new look!
Despite all the other horrible problems there is something extra sad about Lilly being unable to wag.