Trying to keep it together this week has not been easy. I have been counting insulin needles to see if I have enough, but not too many. I need to reuse some, which is not unusual. I have always doubled up, using one for Frankie’s two shots each day, to save some money — so…
If Your Pet Was a Tree, What Type Would He Be?
I wrote not long ago — a far shorter time than I could have anticipated — what my wishes were for Frankie’s remains. I thought I had plenty of time to find a way for him to assist in medical research. I’m afraid that’s not going to happen. I asked the hospice vet for ideas,…
The Quality of Life Question: More Perspectives
Last week I found a large package on my doorstep: A box containing three bags of Zuke’s Skinny Bakes. At first I was upset. Frankie’s not going to be around to enjoy these, I thought. Don’t people read my blog before they send me stuff/ask to guest post about puppy care? (The answer, in most…
When Edie Met Frankie
Exactly nine years ago today a small, alien creature entered my life — and forever changed it. It was October 22, 2004, the day before my birthday — the date I had originally chosen for bringing home my first dog, a scruffy waif named Frankie of undetermined age, maybe 5 or 6. What better gift…
Your Turn: How Did You Know When “It Was Time”?
I know people who are always saying things like “this is a great movie” or “this is a great book” about movies or books that I don’t especially think are great. I find this immensely irritating. If you tell me you liked something a lot and give me the reasons, I can answer that I…
Grief — & Relief: Consulting a Hospice Veterinarian
There’s a comforting old saw that, to me, deserves to go the way of the myth of unconditional love: Your pet “will tell you when it’s time.” Frankie has dementia and he’s blind but he’s fairly healthy. He lets me know when he wants to go outside to relieve himself but he can’t always find…
Operation Spoil Frankie: A Progress Report
It’s been a little more than a week since I decided on a departure plan for Frankie: Wait until November 1 to say good-bye and, in the meantime, spoil him by giving him delicious treats and by not forcing him do anything he doesn’t want to do, such as riding in cars and going for…
Put It In Words: How Blogging Helps Me Think
When I returned to pet blogging on August 1, it was with the idea that I would be sharing information on dealing with an aging pet — in particular, one with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. I didn’t know how long I would blog here again, or how involved I could be in the pet blogger’s community,…
Dog Departure Derangement Syndrome
I know I’ve sounded calm, even accepting, about my departure plans for Frankie. And much of the time I am. Operation Spoil Frankie has been a nice diversion. But then there are the times when the facade breaks open and I realize that a) I’m still in a form of denial and b) I have…
Saying Good-Bye to Frankie: The Gift of Knowledge
Right now — and this is subject to change at any moment — I feel like I have been given a gift. I have been told by a hospice vet that it’s time to say good-bye to Frankie, but not that there is a sense of absolute urgency. Frankie may be confused but he is…