I don’t really know what’s going on here but less than an hour after writing the earlier post, Sarah and I gently carried Snowy outside for a few minutes so that he could enjoy the sun and the grass. As he snuffled around slowly looking at his surroundings, we sat on the porch steps and watched him, all the while discussing (through tears) whether we would want to bury him in the front yard or the back yard. (Or have him cremated.)
In the meantime, Snowy kept walking through the grass sniffing things; as he did, his tail got higher and his eyes got brighter. And then, wonder of wonders, someone on a bike went by and he started to run toward them, emitting one fairly loud bark! (I haven’t heard him bark in several days.)
Sarah and I stared at each other in astonishment and then immediately asked the question that begged to be answered, “Are we really going to put a dog to sleep who is running through the grass and grinning and barking?”
We were just utterly amazed at the change in his whole demeanor.
When he finally came back inside, I gave him another pain pill and he has been comfortable and happy all afternoon, chewing on a bone in the hallway, eating another plate of watermelon, wuffling a bit at birds going by the window, taking a few sips of water, and lying in the sun on the back deck. He’s currently very contentedly snoozing beside me as I write.
This morning when Steve and I were talking about the situation, Snowy was still at a point where he had not been able to get comfortable for several hours even after getting his first meds of the day. Because of that, we had pretty much decided to have the vet come by the house this afternoon and were going to tell Sarah to call her boss and say she wouldn’t be coming to work tonight..
(This is where I sat holding Snowy while we talked. The Kleenex box has become my best friend lately.)
But now? Except for the stiffness in his joints and back legs (which he’s had for months now) he seems quite perky and almost like his old self. Of course, I realize that much of his current well-being is due to the meds he’s on, but yet if he’s making even a little progress, we certainly don’t want to get in the way of that.
So basically our plan is to give it another day and see if this trend continues.
I realize that we’re all riding a roller coaster here and I appreciate you dear readers letting me write about the process we’re going through. It helps me to get it out. My poor emotions have been up and down so many times in the past three days that I might need meds of my own, just for (e)motion sickness!
You all have such big hearts and have been so compassionately invested in Snowy’s story; your many comments that you’ve left have been read and treasured. And since we do have so many Snowy Fans, I just wanted to be sure to update you all and let you know where we’re at right now.
I am cautiously optimistic that we might have turned a corner but we’ll see what tomorrow holds. And then if tomorrow is fairly good, we’ll have to see how he does when he gets off these medications.
But honestly? I just don’t have the heart to put to sleep a little guy who just two hours ago looked like this.
And this.
I have tears in my eyes as I recall the struggle we had when our five-year-old pet developed a degenerative neurological disease that over the course of one year took away her ability to move. The decision of “when” is agonizing. Our sweet “Cali” stopped eating and began to hide which we felt was our sign that the time had come. I am sending love and prayers to your family.
Oh, Snowy, ya’ curly furball, you have captured the hearts of a bunch of us followers and we’re praying for you. Keep that mischevious light in your eyes and communicate well with your Mom, Dad & Sis and let them know how you’re feeling and that you love & trust them to make the best treatment choices for you. You might ask Mom to call Nathan so you can hear his voice and yap back at him! Big Bro, I’m sure is praying for you, too!
Hang in there and listen to your heart and to Snowy! You’ll know when the time is right. We cremated our cats, so we could keep them with us when we moved around. It felt right for us and seeing the sugar pot on the mantel beside a nice picture is a beautiful reminder of our fur babies each day.
Keep on barking and smiling, Snowy! You have soooo many folks rooting and praying for you!
woof and love
I am happy Snowy had a good day! I pray the trend continues.
I feel for you all. When we had our little guy put to sleep it about broke my heart, but he was 15 1/2 years old had allot wrong with him and I didn’t want to see him suffer any more. That has been 8 years ago and I still miss him so very much.
Hard decision but it can only be made by you all.
They are our children also.
I keep coming back for updates, so THANK YOU for taking the time to update. This update makes me happy!!! Hope the future ones will be just as happy!!!
I was just checking in to see the last few days’ posts… now sitting here bawling with both sadness and hope for you and your family and sweet Snowy.
So happy to tune in and see Snowy is having a good day! Keep it up little Buddy, you can do it! Prayers still going heavenward for all, specially Snowy.
Hugs and Blessings,
Judy
Prayers continue to be sent … to ALL of you! So glad to hear Snowy’s feeling a little better tonight. 🙂
This is just a thought … I know you’re a fan of the Pioneer Woman. Who isn’t? lol One thing I adore is her love for her animals, especially her dog, Charlie. She has written a children’s book about him, with cute cartoon illustrations throughout. I love to read what YOU write, too – and I know you have many fans! Since “many fans” is something you have in common with Snowy, have you ever considered writing a book about him?? 🙂 Snowy would be honored, I’m sure, and he has quite a story to share! After all, he’s a fellow cancer survivor. Not many dogs have shared Snowy’s journey … not even “Charlie”. 😉
MICHELLE
I’m so happy Snowy is doing better. Praying that trend continues. … He is such a great dog. We had a peek a poo that looked just like him named Snowball (Snowy for short). He was a great dog too. I still miss him.
Becky, we are so sorry that you are having to endure this heartbreaking situation. It just emphasizes what many people won’t accept – PETS ARE FAMILY MEMBERS. You can trust Snowy to let you know what to do – and when. 🙂
Please keep updating, I would suggest we are all heavily emotionally involved as well. Please kiss Snowy from me, tell her she’s a little rascal!!!
Go Snowing keep on healing!!!!!
Marjie
I went through this up and down roller coaster with my 14 year old cat a couple of years ago. She would get deathly ill, get better, get ill again, better again…it was nerve wracking! She finally passed away very suddenly, she just went downhill in a matter of minutes. It was awful. I had a vet appt. scheduled for her the morning after she died, and to have to call the vet’s and tell them just brought it all back again. I look at my surviving cat and can’t even bear to think about going through it with him. At least plenty of us here have been through this and can relate to what you’re feeling, so you aren’t alone. And please keep us posted.
I keep checking to see if there was any news on the little guy and was very happy to see there was some good news! Hugs to you all, and get better soon Snowy!!!
You will know when the time comes. I was going thru a lot of stuff with my parents in 2008 and 2009. They both had been diagnosed with cancer in May 2008. In the meantime, I failed to notice that my cat was not doing well. It finally caught my attention that she was no longer keeping herself clean. One day she came into the living room and plopped down. The four chihuahuas we had came up to her and she did not move. I knew that she was very sick then. I had my mom call the vet to take her in for a check. I took her to the vet that day The vet told me that my cat was probably in renal failure. I made the humane choice to put her down that very day. She was just going to continue to suffer. Snowy will let you know when it is time.
I keep checking back in.
That cheeky little bugger 🙂 I hope this burst of energy lasts and Snowy once again prevails. As everyone has said, Snowy will let you know when he’s ready. And clearly, Snowy is not ready. What a wonderful reprieve.
I have a story about this. My beloved kitty was sick (she was 14 but still a kitten to me). She had been failing for a month or so, with more and more medical intervention required. Then she stopped eating. Sadly, we had no choice but to leave her overnight to attend a family wedding out of town. We thought there was a chance Kashmir would pass before we even got home and we were sick with grief and worry. We left her locked in our bedroom with lots of dark hiding spots, a bowl full of gravy (desperate to to get her to eat) plus regular food and drink.
We were gone less than 24 worry filled hours. Neither of us could sleep the morning after the wedding and left New York at 5 am to race home to check on our dear. We were preparing ourselves for what we would find. So scared. Opened the bedroom door and that little darling was standing there meowing at us (I think she was ticked she was locked in a room, my kitties don’t like closed doors one bit). She was perky. Her food and gravy was ALL GONE.
Our little dear rallied and we had three more precious weeks with her. And not to say that you’re ever ready to say goodbye, but after that awful morning of thinking our Kashmir was at death’s door or worse when we walked in, to having 21 more precious days to shower her with love, we were almost (barely, not really) ready to let her go when it become 110% obvious that it was time.
I’m hoping that this reprieve is even longer than our Kashmir’s was. Treasure those moments, as I know you do. My heart aches as you all go through this.
How is Nathan doing so far away? That must be hard 🙁
Buckle up, you are on the Snowy ride! And Blow me down! That doggie is amazing. There is no doubt you will definitely know when and it sure isn’t this afternoon. Snowy keep on keepin’ on, little buddy. This is so difficult on all of you but he has an agenda that he seems to not be sharing with all of you. As long as he is not in pain and sniffing and woofing and wandering and smiling, take your time with all of this. God bless.
Still praying and knowing that God is able and still on His throne. Snowy is amazing and praying that he has many more happy days with you. Meds are helpful but prayer is the key. Hang in and remember we love you all.
I don’t blame you one bit! I wouldn’t have the heart to do it either. Take your time…Snowy will let you know when he’s had enough. Although it’s a very difficult decision, you have to know in your heart that you did the right thing…no regrets.
Prayers that Snowy continues to recover. We all love him too!
Just keep playing it by ear. Let Snowy lead the way. xoxo
So happy Snowy is doing well at the moment. Hope and pray he has turned the corner. I know how hard it is to go through what you all have been going through. Thought for sure after his surgery and getting through that, that Snowy was going to be fine for a long time. You continue to get better Snowy!
I’m so happy to hear that Snowy at this point is doing better 🙂 Sending lots of hugs to the Smith family.