Comments on: Why Not to Tell Absolutely Everyone Your Dog Is Sick http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick A guilt-free zone for good dog owners Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:25:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Celebrating WMDHM’s birthday: My 10 favorite posts http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-2683 Celebrating WMDHM’s birthday: My 10 favorite posts Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:57:55 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-2683 [...] Why Not to Tell Absolutely Everyone Your Dog Is Sick. Anyone who is dealing with a dog’s illness and other people’s insensitivity should be able to relate. [...] [...] Why Not to Tell Absolutely Everyone Your Dog Is Sick. Anyone who is dealing with a dog’s illness and other people’s insensitivity should be able to relate. [...]

]]> By: Will My Dog Hate Me? » Blog Archive » 2009: It wasn’t so bad for me. How was it for you? http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-1229 Will My Dog Hate Me? » Blog Archive » 2009: It wasn’t so bad for me. How was it for you? Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:40:48 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-1229 [...] — who sent me tomatoes and home made preserves because… well, you can read about it here. She also taught me that “atheist homeschooler” is not an [...] [...] — who sent me tomatoes and home made preserves because… well, you can read about it here. She also taught me that “atheist homeschooler” is not an [...]

]]> By: admin http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-52 admin Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:52:09 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-52 Ah, yes. Those pets are pretty much interchangeable, dontcha know! Ah, yes. Those pets are pretty much interchangeable, dontcha know!

]]> By: Kate http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-51 Kate Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:45:30 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-51 Another splendid line; Don't worry. You can always get another pet. Another splendid line; Don’t worry. You can always get another pet.

]]> By: admin http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-43 admin Fri, 29 May 2009 18:35:00 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-43 Great suggestions, Rebecca -- who, I imagine, won't mind being identified as Frankie's rescuer and the person to whom I would have had to return the little guy (ha; like I would give him up)! And I hasten to add she's put her suggestions into action, providing support in the form of snacks, toys, and (not mentioned as a solution but always welcome) booze (for me, not Frankie). Great suggestions, Rebecca — who, I imagine, won’t mind being identified as Frankie’s rescuer and the person to whom I would have had to return the little guy (ha; like I would give him up)! And I hasten to add she’s put her suggestions into action, providing support in the form of snacks, toys, and (not mentioned as a solution but always welcome) booze (for me, not Frankie).

]]> By: Rebecca Boren http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-42 Rebecca Boren Fri, 29 May 2009 16:57:55 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-42 The kindly-minded reader may want to know: What do you say to someone whose dog has been newly diagnosed with a major illness? Answer: Pretty much what you would say to a human (and his/her family) in the same situation. And the don'ts are the same, too. 1) "I am so sorry. How is he (she) doing?" is always appropriate. 2) Do not immediately launch into the story about somedog who suffered from the same condition, blew through his/her owner's life savings, and then died, leaving the bereaved permanently heartbroken. 3) "What can I do to help?" (assuming you actually are willing to pitch in for a good friend). You could make a vet or pharmacy or kibble run, sit in a waiting room and hold a hand, make a casserole or a batch of cookies, canine or human. Listening is always in style. Be flexible in making plans if a dog, like Frankie, requires medication at specific times of day. 4) Don't tell the human how awful little Fuzzy looks. Believe me, we already know. 5) If human wants to talk, listen. The grieving or newly medically aware person does not need the latest cherry juice or raisins soaked in vodka solution you heard on the Today show. He or she does need your support. 6) Do not send quack diets or New Age pap that blames the dog and or the human for the disease. Many will welcome links to good, encouraging research. But that depends on your friend. You may want to read up on your canine friend's illness, too. 7) There are delightful and fun get- well and general -encouragement cards available at pet boutiques and superstores. If you are afraid of saying something stupid, buy a card , sign it, and send it to both of them. 8) Small gifts send good cheer. Think a toy if your pal's pal is well enough to enjoy it (and most anydog can enjoy a fuzzy stuffed playmate) , flowers (non-funereal) or a flowering plant to cheer the human. The kindly-minded reader may want to know: What do you say to someone whose dog has been newly diagnosed with a major illness? Answer: Pretty much what you would say to a human (and his/her family) in the same situation. And the don’ts are the same, too.
1) “I am so sorry. How is he (she) doing?” is always appropriate.
2) Do not immediately launch into the story about somedog who suffered from the same condition, blew through his/her owner’s life savings, and then died, leaving the bereaved permanently heartbroken.
3) “What can I do to help?” (assuming you actually are willing to pitch in for a good friend). You could make a vet or pharmacy or kibble run, sit in a waiting room and hold a hand, make a casserole or a batch of cookies, canine or human. Listening is always in style. Be flexible in making plans if a dog, like Frankie, requires medication at specific times of day.
4) Don’t tell the human how awful little Fuzzy looks. Believe me, we already know.
5) If human wants to talk, listen. The grieving or newly medically aware person does not need the latest cherry juice or raisins soaked in vodka solution you heard on the Today show. He or she does need your support.
6) Do not send quack diets or New Age pap that blames the dog and or the human for the disease. Many will welcome links to good, encouraging research. But that depends on your friend. You may want to read up on your canine friend’s illness, too.
7) There are delightful and fun get- well and general -encouragement cards available at pet boutiques and superstores. If you are afraid of saying something stupid, buy a card , sign it, and send it to both of them.
8) Small gifts send good cheer. Think a toy if your pal’s pal is well enough to enjoy it (and most anydog can enjoy a fuzzy stuffed playmate) , flowers (non-funereal) or a flowering plant to cheer the human.

]]> By: admin http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-39 admin Thu, 28 May 2009 19:16:14 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-39 Hey, I'll take you up on those tomatoes! It's true, I keep wanting to sneak in and buy some produce but I know I'll run into the organizer, and I can't even look at her. BTW, I did ask why she put her dog down and she said tumors. I said malignant? and she said no, but they kept coming back... An unsightly dog -- how awful. Hey, I’ll take you up on those tomatoes! It’s true, I keep wanting to sneak in and buy some produce but I know I’ll run into the organizer, and I can’t even look at her. BTW, I did ask why she put her dog down and she said tumors. I said malignant? and she said no, but they kept coming back… An unsightly dog — how awful.

]]> By: Jenni http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-38 Jenni Thu, 28 May 2009 19:09:50 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-38 What an absolute idiot! Look, I will send you some homegrown tomatoes, there is no need to put up with that insensitivity. Would she have said that about a person?! (Wait, let's not ask, we may not like the answer.) What an absolute idiot! Look, I will send you some homegrown tomatoes, there is no need to put up with that insensitivity. Would she have said that about a person?! (Wait, let’s not ask, we may not like the answer.)

]]> By: admin http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-37 admin Thu, 28 May 2009 15:51:46 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-37 Thanks so much for your post. Frankie's diabetes is well managed. I'm still looking for the perfect diet and trying to reduce his need for insulin, but yes, he's happy and the only problems with his eyesight stem from age (he's about 10), not unregulated diabetes. And I really am sorry for the loss of your father last year. Thanks so much for your post. Frankie’s diabetes is well managed. I’m still looking for the perfect diet and trying to reduce his need for insulin, but yes, he’s happy and the only problems with his eyesight stem from age (he’s about 10), not unregulated diabetes.

And I really am sorry for the loss of your father last year.

]]> By: barrie http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/why-not-to-tell-absolutely-everyone-your-dog-is-sick/comment-page-1#comment-36 barrie Thu, 28 May 2009 15:46:14 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=696#comment-36 OMG! People are so incredibly insensitive. Not to one up you or anything ;-) and I don't know if you've lost anyone really close to you but you cannot believe the insane things people said to me when my father died last year. They just leave you openmouthed and staring because you're like, you did NOT just say/ask that! Is Frankie's diabetes fairly manageable? I've known several diabetic dogs/cats who all seemed perfectly happy and healthy otherwise <- that and/or oh gosh I'm so sorry you're having to go through that and poor Frankie! are really the only acceptable comments I can come up with! Just like the only thing to say when someone loses a human family member is, I am so sorry for your loss. Period. End of story :-) OMG! People are so incredibly insensitive. Not to one up you or anything ;-) and I don’t know if you’ve lost anyone really close to you but you cannot believe the insane things people said to me when my father died last year. They just leave you openmouthed and staring because you’re like, you did NOT just say/ask that!

Is Frankie’s diabetes fairly manageable? I’ve known several diabetic dogs/cats who all seemed perfectly happy and healthy otherwise <- that and/or oh gosh I’m so sorry you’re having to go through that and poor Frankie! are really the only acceptable comments I can come up with! Just like the only thing to say when someone loses a human family member is, I am so sorry for your loss.

Period. End of story :-)

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