THE DOGS - AND CATS- OF GLORY GLORY

[thfcsteff]

Here she is a little earlier today, at one of her favorite places (the ocean bluffs 10 mins from us)...she wandered around, lots of sniffing, her legs and hips creaky...she has a heart condition which causes her to move slowly...her digestive system has sort of said 'goodbye' (she still loves fresh roast chicken, so I have several lined up in the coming days to cook)...it's incredibly hard. I've said goodbye before, but this beautiful creature has meant so so much to my wife and I...she sleeps most of the time, she has night dementia too, sometimes during the day she'll just stand vacant and panting staring at nothing, hearing nothing...we were not sure when the time would feel right, because it never feels right and I feel like a horrible person, however the truth is that it is best to be ahead week early than a day too late when it comes to how they feel, and she is still somewhat able to enjoy at least her food and sniffs here and there...but we know she is finding it tough, we sense it, and we have to let go...

...sorry to go on, but this is just the worst thing...Tuesday is the day, so we'll hit the beach with her on Monday and NOT take her for a wash immediately afterwards. That's why there are hoovers, right?...I will say that any words of support or advice as to how to navigate this would be warmly appreciated. As I said earlier, I have said goodbye to animals before, and saying goodbye to my Bubbly (Maine Coon 14 years old was gut-wrenching) but this feels seismic and insurmountable...I'll find a way of course, you have to, but it is going to really hurt...

 

[Rorschach]

View attachment 23498


Here she is a little earlier today, at one of her favorite places (the ocean bluffs 10 mins from us)...she wandered around, lots of sniffing, her legs and hips creaky...she has a heart condition which causes her to move slowly...her digestive system has sort of said 'goodbye' (she still loves fresh roast chicken, so I have several lined up in the coming days to cook)...it's incredibly hard. I've said goodbye before, but this beautiful creature has meant so so much to my wife and I...she sleeps most of the time, she has night dementia too, sometimes during the day she'll just stand vacant and panting staring at nothing, hearing nothing...we were not sure when the time would feel right, because it never feels right and I feel like a horrible person, however the truth is that it is best to be ahead week early than a day too late when it comes to how they feel, and she is still somewhat able to enjoy at least her food and sniffs here and there...but we know she is finding it tough, we sense it, and we have to let go...

...sorry to go on, but this is just the worst thing...Tuesday is the day, so we'll hit the beach with her on Monday and NOT take her for a wash immediately afterwards. That's why there are hoovers, right?...I will say that any words of support or advice as to how to navigate this would be warmly appreciated. As I said earlier, I have said goodbye to animals before, and saying goodbye to my Bubbly (Maine Coon 14 years old was gut-wrenching) but this feels seismic and insurmountable...I'll find a way of course, you have to, but it is going to really hurt...

Beautiful shot of her Steff.

 

[thfcsteff]

Tilly has crossed the bridge and it is such a mixture of things...it was the right thing to do because she was declining quite rapidly, and it is unimaginably hard because it's been 15 years of such intense love and friendship and mentorship (her for me - boy she taught me so much about life)...I lost my Maine Coon, Bubbsy, in 2022, and now Tilly...I would get back on the wagon and have another pup in a month if I could but my wife needs more time and I get that, so it'll be a little while...but it hurts...she passed at home peacefully and having had a final week of roast chickens, steak, and bacon! ALL her favorites (I only eat chicken FWIW). We had planned to take her to the beach the day before she crossed the bridge, but realised it would be for us and not her as she had really lost interest or ability to enjoy walks, thus the photo above turned out to be from her last walk (which we drove to)...

I'd like to ask that folks please keep this thead going from time to time with photos and stories. Of all the threads I have started or been part of around here, this one felt like one of the most important (the Mental Health one -which I did not start- is the other)...

Thanks folks and hug your furry family members a little harder, tell them how much you love them for the umpteenth time and get them a f**king treat RIGHT NOW!!!

p.s. when I can wrap my head around it, I might well post the odd memorial story and photo...