~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[tinkbell13]

Oh D~, my heart is breaking as I read your last post. I hate to say it, but I think this is the beginning of the downward slope. Rufus and you guys will be in my thoughts all day now. Please give him a from me. And for you too.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Oh sweetie, my heart is breaking for you you will know what is the best when the time comes....praying you will find comfort
I'm home all day if you need to talk!

 

[VBAndrea]

I was getting ready to go to work, and I heard some commotion in the kitchen (Ruf and I are the only ones home)... So I rushed out... The scene I saw broke my heart - Ruf was laying on his side, his whole body shaking (is that convusling?) and a very large vomit pile next to him. By the time I got around the table, he was laying upright vomiting again (only a little bit this time). I laid there with him for a few minutes, he seemed totally exhausted. Since he threw up on a rug, I just carried it outside, so he wasn't laying near it. I tried to move him a little bit, but his one arm seemed like it was stiff (stretched straight in front of him), but I was able to turn him around. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I was able to pick him up (I was trying to be careful of his tumor area on his back end) and carry him back to his bed. He seems to be laying there comfortably now, he even wagged his tail a little bit when I came back into the room.

I called called Josh, he seems to think Ruf is nearing the end and we may have to take him into the vet tonight/tomorrow. I still can't wrap my mind around that. I called in sick to work today, I refuse to leave Ruf home alone if something happens.

Prayers for Ruf's comfort today please. And if it is God's will that we put him down, I hope he will send me a sign, because I don't know if I can do it with out one.

D~

I am not a vet, but from past experience with my really bad cat what she experienced was different than what Rufus just went went through.

Was Rufus shivering like he was cold (does he ever do that after a bath?) or was it more of an uncontrollable shake where he appeared spaced out? When someone seizes he/she usually appears zoned out. Did Rufus lose control of his bladder? Often a person (and I presume animal) will urinate uncontrolled during a seizure. I am thinking since Rufus recovered quickly that he just had the shakes from vomiting. Though I have to say the stiff foot concerns me.

Just please keep a close eye on him today and call the vet and bug with any questions whatsoever. That's why they are your vet.

I'm so glad Rufus is comfy now and I'm also glad you decided to stay home with him. Keep a close watch on him. Get him to drink some too if you can. I might even call your vet and see if there is anything you could give him with electrolytes in it to prevent seizures.

I am praying very hard for you and Rufus today. I am praying that if you have to have him put down you accept and understand you are doing the absolute best thing you can for that sweet poochie. I hope things happen the way you want him to, but please try hard to understand that Rufus will let you know if OK for him to have go sooner.

I keep checking in on you because I'm so worried for you. I'm so sad too. I have tears streaming down my cheeks right now.

 

[DMGeurts]

Oh D, this just breaks my heart.

Tons of prayers for Rufus and one big for you.

Thank you Corri.

My heart is breaking for you. We went through the same thing in January. Rest in your faith, God will carry you. I'll be praying for all of you. . .

This is my first post (I think) but I love your thread. I sat a whole day and read it. We have so many things in common. . sadly. First, my daughter LOVES all things American Girl. Next, my husband just got alert orders and will be delploying next March. How I wept over your posts. . .and now this. . .crying with you again. I strongly believe that God gives us these animals to teach us things about His character and know with out a shadow of a doubt that my boy is now healthy and happy in Heaven. Hang in there. . .

Welcome, and thank you. Yes, we do have a lot in common. Josh's alert orders are still fresh in my memory - even though it was 9 years ago (already) - I'll never forget those days.

I am still bewildered and shocked that what I write would make someone cry - but I'll never forget the day I read Lisa's post about her beloved Jim, and how I cried. I have made some of the most amazing friends here on The Dis, and they have touched my life in so many different, fun and sometimes sad ways - but I am so thankful for them... Many of their stories have moved me emotionally many times, it amazes me how people I have never met feel like such kindred spirits and can affect my life and feelings so greatly.

I hope you'll continue to follow along in my PTR and soon to be TR, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your prayers for our family and Rufus. If you decide to do a TR - I would love to follow along. And of course, I wish you and your family all the best (and lots of prayers) with your DH's deployment... Please continue to keep us informed and if there is anything I can do, please let me know.

Oh D~, my heart is breaking as I read your last post. I hate to say it, but I think this is the beginning of the downward slope. Rufus and you guys will be in my thoughts all day now. Please give him a from me. And for you too.

Thank you Tink... I fear the same.

Oh sweetie, my heart is breaking for you you will know what is the best when the time comes....praying you will find comfort
I'm home all day if you need to talk!

I hope I know when it's the right time. I keep feeling like Josh is pressuring me to put him down, he is so concerned that Ruf is in a lot of pain but not showing it, and I just can't put him down until I know it's the right thing to do. I feel like I would be killing him then, and I couldn't live with myself.

I am not a vet, but from past experience with my really bad cat what she experienced was different than what Rufus just went went through.

Was Rufus shivering like he was cold (does he ever do that after a bath?) or was it more of an uncontrollable shake where he appeared spaced out? When someone seizes he/she usually appears zoned out. Did Rufus lose control of his bladder? Often a person (and I presume animal) will urinate uncontrolled during a seizure. I am thinking since Rufus recovered quickly that he just had the shakes from vomiting. Though I have to say the stiff foot concerns me.

Thank you Andrea. Now that you mention it - well, when I glanced at him from across the room - his whole body appeared to be shaking uncontrollably, but by the time I got around the table to him (3 secs, max) he was laying upright. For a second or two, I thought he was out of it, then he wasn't. It was strange.

I was really worried about the stiff leg too, but once I moved him around so I could carry him - it bent a bit - it still seemed stiff - but he could move it. Does that make sense? When I carried him to his bed and laid him down, it still appeared slightly stiff, but a short time later he moved it around, and now it appears to have normal movement and doesn't bother him at all. ???

Just please keep a close eye on him today and call the vet and bug with any questions whatsoever. That's why they are your vet.

I'm so glad Rufus is comfy now and I'm also glad you decided to stay home with him. Keep a close watch on him. Get him to drink some too if you can. I might even call your vet and see if there is anything you could give him with electrolytes in it to prevent seizures.

I am praying very hard for you and Rufus today. I am praying that if you have to have him put down you accept and understand you are doing the absolute best thing you can for that sweet poochie. I hope things happen the way you want him to, but please try hard to understand that Rufus will let you know if OK for him to have go sooner.

I keep checking in on you because I'm so worried for you. I'm so sad too. I have tears streaming down my cheeks right now.

Thank you so much Andrea. I have no intention of leaving Ruf today, and I will be keeping a very close eye on him.

Like I said above, he seems to be back to normal. Much perkier - if that makes any sense. I am just so perplexed, and I don't understand it. It looked like everything he threw up was the rice - there wasn't any of the meatball in there at all??? So, did he digest the meatball? Or is it still floating around in there?

When the mail lady rang our doorbell to drop off a pkg - Ruf jumped up to a very tall laying position and started barking (he didn't look like he wanted to make the effort to get up though, unless the door actually opened). So, he is alert.

I just don't understand what I am supposed to do? Obviously, I am here if something goes wrong, but it's like this morning never happened.

Again, thank you everyone for all your prayers and letting me ramble... I have so many emotions and I am not sure what to do...

D~

 

[solana131]

Just know that the vets won't let you "kill" him. They will only put him down if they know it is near the end and he is suffering. Its never easy, but please don't think you are "killing" him. You are helping him and saving him from suffering. He knows you are doing everything you can for him and that little tail wag when you walk into the room means "thank you mom".

Thinking of you!

 

[mommy2mrb]

I agree with Andrea, you will know and think you should call your vet with what happend this morning, maybe he can give you some insight.

please dont feel that way about the decision to put him down, you don't want him to suffer, he will know you are doing it out of love for him, they sense it, our dog did....she gave us that "look" that it was okay.


if you'd like a little break, I started our Feb DLR TR its in my OCT TR thread....have a couple photos I took just for you!

 

[tinkbell13]

Was Rufus shivering like he was cold (does he ever do that after a bath?) or was it more of an uncontrollable shake where he appeared spaced out? When someone seizes he/she usually appears zoned out. Did Rufus lose control of his bladder? Often a person (and I presume animal) will urinate uncontrolled during a seizure. I am thinking since Rufus recovered quickly that he just had the shakes from vomiting. Though I have to say the stiff foot concerns me.

I have experience seizures in a dog first hand. Our first shepherd developed epilepsy the last couple of years of her life. Her seizures for the first few months were very much like Rufus'. Then they developed into ones where she was completely spaced out during them and lost control of her bladder. Near the end she would also lose control of her bowels. It is a very hard thing to witness. I remember being able to see the indications of them coming on at the end and rushing to her to make sure she didn't hurt herself and then sitting with her while she came out of the fog.

I am praying that if you have to have him put down you accept and understand you are doing the absolute best thing you can for that sweet poochie. I hope things happen the way you want him to, but please try hard to understand that Rufus will let you know if OK for him to have go sooner.

Your last statement is so true. They do let you know when it is time to let them go.

I hope I know when it's the right time. I keep feeling like Josh is pressuring me to put him down, he is so concerned that Ruf is in a lot of pain but not showing it, and I just can't put him down until I know it's the right thing to do. I feel like I would be killing him then, and I couldn't live with myself.

Please never think that you are killing him. In many instances, it is far more humane to put them down, especially when they are in pain but not showing it. I've been in this position many times in my life with my own sweet pup and with family pets growing up and it is not easy. You will know when the time is right if it comes to that. Rufus will let you know.

Thank you Andrea. Now that you mention it - well, when I glanced at him from across the room - his whole body appeared to be shaking uncontrollably, but by the time I got around the table to him (3 secs, max) he was laying upright. For a second or two, I thought he was out of it, then he wasn't. It was strange.

I was really worried about the stiff leg too, but once I moved him around so I could carry him - it bent a bit - it still seemed stiff - but he could move it. Does that make sense? When I carried him to his bed and laid him down, it still appeared slightly stiff, but a short time later he moved it around, and now it appears to have normal movement and doesn't bother him at all. ???

See my comments above regarding seizures. The stiff legs are part of it. One of the first things our vet told us was not to move her until she was showing signs of wanting to move. It was so long ago that I don't remember the reason for it now.

I just don't understand what I am supposed to do? Obviously, I am here if something goes wrong, but it's like this morning never happened.

Again, thank you everyone for all your prayers and letting me ramble... I have so many emotions and I am not sure what to do...

D~

You are doing exactly what you need to - just being there for Rufus and making him as comfortable as can be.

The seizures are like that. Until near the end with my sweet girl, after 15-20 minutes you never would have known that she had just had a seizure. It can be very hard to witness them and if you need to talk about it, I'm here, just PM me.

And ramble away all you'd like. We all understand.

 

[cogero]

I don't have anythig to add but please know I am praying for you.

 

[abcangie87]

oh holy cow.

I should never have opened your thread here.


I should not go to the Disboutique forum you mentioned.


Houston we have a problem.


Those are so stinkin cute. Like. Everything.


First off, would you PM me with your pricing on the AG princess clothes? and on your UDB?


secondly, I didn't read everything yet so I'm not sure if you've used your UDB at a park yet...but if so, how did it fare on the 'wet' rides like splash mountain? I've got a hipster thingy that I bought one year (that I have used the heck out of) but it's more of a nylon fabric.


oye. wow.

 

[cajunfan]

D~
I am so sorry to hear about Ruf's latest episode. You will know when the time is right to put him down. I have had to do it with two cats, the first time I was not prepared for how quick it is, when I had to do it a second time I at least knew that...not that any preparation makes it any easier. I am glad that you guys have had some good times with Ruf. I know he is feeling super loved by his family.

Hugs, prayers, and more hugs for you all.

Lynn

 

[DMGeurts]

Today has been a really rough day at our house. I'll save the details for another post, because I would like this one to be happy.

I was really surprised to have the mailman drop off a package for us. I opened it right away, but then I figured I'd wait for the girls to get home from school to actually open what was inside.

I am just going to post the pictures in the order they were taken in, because I just pretty much snapped away.

So, first of all I just have to thank Chiara for thinking of us... That was just so sweet of you... We loved everything, but I must say that I especially love the design you chose - that is one of my favorites, and I love that we can wear it in any park! I am not sure which day we will wear these, but I think we will look adorable. They are already packed in our suitcase.

I love the keychain and the Pez dispenser too - they are so cute! And, thank you for the card... It was so sweet.

You have no idea what a welcome surprise this was for us today...

Thank you so very much Chiara! ​

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

I have not posted this update on FB, I am not sure if I will or not - maybe tomorrow.

After Ruf had his possible seizure this morning, he spent the whole day in his bed napping - which isn't unusual for him these days. When Josh came home from work, Ruf got up and stumbled a few times - his right back leg wasn't working right. He wanted to go outside, so Josh let him out, he stumbled around the back yard and used the bathroom... He was very woozy and seemed disoriented. I had to lift him up the porch stairs, so he could walk back into the house.

At dinner, we had a family discussion and decided that it's time to let Ruf go. As much as it pains me and the tears are just running down my face, my family all thinks it is time. I, on the other hand, am not comfortable with it - but to be truthful, I am not sure I ever would be. Just thinking about it gives me the worst gag reflex. I am just so sick to have to do this.

Josh is going to make the appt for tomorrow afternoon, the girls don't have school and we can spend the whole day with him. I know I'll spend the whole day dreading what is to come. I am just so afraid for him - I am not at peace with death, like some people are, death scares me a lot and I don't wish it on anyone ever. So, just the thought of ending his life makes me horribly sick inside. There is no comfort for me in doing this.

I wanted to close this post with a picture of Allison and Rufus - this is how they fell asleep tonight...

D~

 

[abcangie87]

I don't know who Chiara is, but those shirts are AWESOME. Chiara....we must connect!

My MIL's machine is a Brother and can read PES files from a flashdrive....does anyone have that embroidery graphic in the pics above as that kind of file that you might email to me?!

 

[mphalens]

Oh D~

I am so so sorry about Rufus.

I am, however, so glad that you got a beautiful ray of sunshine today in the form of a fabulous gift from Chiara!!! :

Let me know if you need anything - you know I'm just a call or text away.

M~

 

[miprender]

Oh D I know it is so hard to make that decision. I remember calling the Vet to set up the appointment and I could barely speak I was crying so hard and I made DH go to the vet. I was preggo with DS4 and I just couldn't do it.

Chiara what adorable shirts you sent.

I have to say...hearing all the woes about baggage fees and packing...makes me SUPER glad we drive! For the past few trips we have taken 2 vehicles, so one carried all the luggage and on had all the hanging customs!
Nini

TG that SW lets 2 bags each as we had 10 bags plus all our carryon junk

I don't know who Chiara is, but those shirts are AWESOME. Chiara....we must connect!

My MIL's machine is a Brother and can read PES files from a flashdrive....does anyone have that embroidery graphic in the pics above as that kind of file that you might email to me?!

Sent you a PM

 

[blessedmom4]

Dear D~ In the midst of what must surely be one of your most difficult weeks, I am so grateful you received some mail to bring a smile to your face. You deserve it. My prayers and love remain with you and I will be lifting you up and asking for strength for you as you say goodbye to Rufus. Every tear I have shed reading this has been a prayer for your family.

 

[sjs314]

D - somehow I missed your early post about Rufus and his seizure this morning, blame it on the fact I was packing and checking the DIS every now and then. A little while ago I came back on and started to catch up on your PTR. I can not tell you how bad I felt reading the earlier post and then I read the last, I know how hard this is going to be on you and your family, we had to put our Sheltie down years ago and I just could not go with my DH and youngest son to the vet's office. I regret not going till this day. I do not know what to say except Rufus had a good life and knows he is loved so much. My heart is breaking for you right now.

 

[denvergirl]

I wish I has some wonderful words of wisdom on how to make this better/easier, but I don't. However, do not be affraid for your sweet boy. It is very easy for him. He absolutely knows how much you all love him. . .those pictures are truly priceless. I am thankful you are going through this as a family. It really helped us to cry together and laugh together remembering our favorite memories. I encourage you each to talk about it when you need to and not try to "just deal with it". They have given us so much and this truly is the last (and most difficult) gift you'll give him. I found this website the day I called to make our appointment (which was for the following morning). I found it SO helpful and comforting to have scripture that spoke to animals in Heaven. Scroll down to the post by Bailey Gertrude E NSSC. It has a lot of information but tied it all together in a way I could process.

http://www.answers2prayer.org/bible_questions/Answers/animals/pets.html

Know that you have many people lifting you up tonight, tomorrow and the coming days. Praying for God to give you a peace about this decision and the strength to get through the day.

 

[denvergirl]

Oh yeah, one more strange parallel in our lives. . .we left for a week long vacation a few days after losing our boy. It was a wonderful time of healing for my family. . .I pray the same for yours!

 

[mommy2mrb]

D~ I can only say my heart is aching , know what a tough decision this is for you all ..... will hold you all in my heart tomorrow
will be in and out tomorrow, but will have my cell on, please call if you need to!



Chiara did a beautiful job on the shirts and happy she brought a ray of sunshine and smiles to your faces today