The Welsh lockdown is now over and Winnie had her follow appointment at the vets to go to.
I had to lift her into and out of Bluebell and the twelve year old vet had to help her up the one step into the surgery while I was instructed to wait outside.
My request for some general painkillers was granted but the vet was at a loss of what to do next.
Winnie is gently fading like a dry brown rose in a vase.
The vet lowered his voice, and looked uncomfortable. He was about to bring up the subject of euthanasia
Winnie let out a large fart and looked bored
He brought up the subject as I suspected
I put my hand up.
“The time isn’t quite right” I told him “ I’ll know when it is”
The old girl was watching me carefully, with a sort of look that she understood the subject of the conversation and she very slowly walked back to Bluebell with a snort and a limp
We stopped at McDonalds on the way home.
I had a coffee, a flat white.
She had a double cheeseburger without the pickle
Bless her i hope she enjoyed her cheeseburger nobody likes a trip to the vets.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the time is not right, not as long as she can eat a cheeseburger.
ReplyDeleteWhy did the vet bring up euthanasia John ? I know Winnie is not 100% but she still seems to have a certain quality of life ( I know I don’t know as I don’t see her but I just wondered what the vets reasons were ? ) XXXX
ReplyDeleteShe is incontinent of faeces ,, which I can just about to cope with. Her mobility is very poor . She has lost vast amounts of weight . But is eating. I think she has pain which is now being treated
DeleteI also think there is some confusion there. I suspect she has had a small stroke
When I say incontinence...she just poops when she has the urge
DeleteOh, poor Winnie .... quite a few things going on but you know it’s not the time and will let the vet know when you know. Not an easy time or decision. XXXX
DeleteOnly you will know John, she will in her Winnie ways get the message across, The bottom line is she trusts you and loves you, she knows you will do the right thing for her.
ReplyDeleteLXX
I'm so sad to hear your grand old gal's fading. It sounds like Winnie will exit life just like she lived it: on her own terms and at her own pace, which is just as it should be. You will know the right time. x
ReplyDeleteI’m not upset, it’s not her time as yet, I’ve been here many times before.
DeleteIt’s the way of things
Poor Winnie -- but you are absolutely right. You'll know when it's time.
ReplyDelete😢
ReplyDeleteShe does know what you were talking about to the vet.This is so terribly terribly sad. I went through this once...I have never had a pet since...couldnt go through it again.Thinking of you. Hugs x
ReplyDeleteI can feel your pain John, I've got it here too. My old boy is on limited time with dementia. He's on medication but we've just got to the limit with the dosage last week. There are now more times of anxiety and sadness for him outweighing the rare moments of happiness. He's been such a huge comfort to me since my husband went into care and I know I'm being selfish holding on to him but it's so hard to let him go. Thinking about you and Winnie and sending a huge hug.
ReplyDeleteIn Winnie's time John, you will know she will tell you. It is a specific look and feeling. Bless her cottons never easy just love and spoil her for now x hugs x
ReplyDeleteI think Winnie may tell you John but not just yet xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to my defence xx
DeleteBless her, I hope she enjoys many more cheeseburgers before she goes. What a good girl!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Of course we knew her time was coming, but just when the sun is shining on the whole world a heavy cloud comes over. Take heart, dear gal. Just be aware that you've got the best possible care [and carer] with oodles of love from lots and lots of us.
ReplyDeleteOh John...so sorry. Love to you and Winnie. x
ReplyDeleteAs has been said, bless Winnie's sweet heart and kind soul. Cheeseburgers aplenty in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right that you'll know when it's time to say good-bye to this dear friend. We've had two wonderful and sorely missed dogs who let us know when it was time. No doubt.
Big hugs!
As it should be...you lovingly stay with your old friend until your journey together is over. May Winnie pass having felt all of the comfort of her home, fellow animal companions,and life with you that she still needed and wanted. No matter how prepared you feel,good man, you will weep when you lose her,and I will weep with you. - Mary
ReplyDelete😓
ReplyDeletethis is so very sad. i have lost every single one of my family members but my pet losses have been the most painful.
ReplyDeleteyou and winnie will know when it's time. until then, double cheeseburgers (no pickles) for our sweet winnie!
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you. This is so hard. Indeed, you will know what to do. It is never easy. I'm sure, as always, Winnie enjoyed her burger. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI hit that point last week with my 20-year old cat - arthritis fore and aft and in his spine was making everything painful. There just comes that moment when you realize you're not doing them any favors making them stay. Just because you know it's coming does not make it easier.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry John. I have a 16 year old Border Terrier - incontinent x 2, deaf and blind, but still just about on four legs and a nose for food. It's very difficult, but the time isn't just yet. They are your family.
ReplyDeleteOh no. We have all loved Winnie and many of us were there with you from the beginning when you first got that beautiful (in her own way) girl. Every picture brought a smile to our faces. Thank you for sharing her story with us. It has helped me on some hard days.
ReplyDeleteOh John. Gentle hugs for you both. She is a real winner in my book.
ReplyDeleteFart on you , young vet!
You have to grin through the tears at her.
Oh, that last sentence!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Winnie!
This is gonna be hard, but meanwhile...
XoXo
Little Albert will miss his friend when the time comes; Winnie might be losing weight but she will leave a big hole in the lives of those who know and love her. (((((John)))))
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts have been with Albert too. Stay strong, little fella!
DeleteShe still greets him with a head butt every day
DeleteI love Winnie.
ReplyDeleteYes she has a following
DeleteFor sure.....
You will indeed know. And act on it, which is as it should be.
ReplyDeleteThoughts are with you and Winnie and the rest of the animal gang. x
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with you and Winnie. Our sweet girl, Abigail, left us while we were at my sister-in-law's funeral. At the repast, even in death, Abby brought cheer to the family because we all knew how much she had loved my SIL and they were together. xoxo
ReplyDeleteSending love...
ReplyDeleteWinnie is so lucky to have you. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh l understand so much what you are saying about darling Winnie. My old Rottie Ella had a mix of Metacam, Acupuncture and Hydrotherapy to help her live a comfortable older life, and l told the vet very firmly that Ella would tell us when she had had enough, so strong was our bond of love. She did indeed let us know when she had had enough of life and time to say farewell Still miss her and think of her a lot, well they are our very close family anyway, or should be, otherwise don't have them. Some vets don't seem that understanding of how strong the bonds we have with our pets can be. Tess xx
ReplyDeleteOh John, when we give a pet that burger around here it is known as The Last Supper.
ReplyDeleteOh, Winnie girl. She's lucky to have you John. I know you'll keep her best interests at heart and make the very hard decision when you know it's time. It's never easy, but when we love our pets, we have to put their needs ahead of our broken hearts. <3
ReplyDeleteA few more McDonalds' cheeseburgers and the vet's costly method of euthanasia will not be required.
ReplyDeleteNot really nice at all
DeleteThis comment about today’s blog was left on another blog today
DeleteUrsula8:10 pm
YP, off topic but can't leave my comment where it belongs as will be deleted without consideration: I just saw your reply re Winnie. Apart from making me laugh you being so (cruelly) succinct, I share your sentiment. Have an upvote or several. I shall leave it there before I expand on some people playing god with their dog. Sometimes it's best I finish before I start.
U
Please no one get into a slanging match, just be aware of how nasty this woman can be
DeleteNot sure why you put up with his rather vulgar comments as well. None of them are ever funny.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSheri - the vulgar comments are made by flis and I don't know why they haven't been banned too. Ursula is someone else, a nasty person who has been banned from John's blog but who is now using devious ways to comment on events here by stalking others blogs and leaving comments on their blogs relating to John's posts.
DeleteAnon, I'm very aware of all the people here. I've followed Johns blog for many years. I find most of YP comments vile. I don't have anything nice to say about the nasty hag either and per Johns request I won't mention her. Flis is usually feeding off of Mavis' comments, which I find hysterical most of the time.
DeleteThank you Sheri x and thank you flis for being defensive
DeleteWhat a grand dog she is, and for her to be fading is so sad. These are hard times when we love our dogs so and she has a fabulous home with you and her animal gang.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry John, we knew when the time was right with dear old Sam.
ReplyDeletei just want to send comforting thoughts for you and Winnie (i know how it feels as I am living with my Beatrix day to day and loving her until she tells me to help her out) and I know you will know when Winnie gives you the go ahead - until then live and love every day with the old girl. xoxox
ReplyDeleteI’m not sad, just resigned
DeleteIt’s a decision dog owners have to make regularly and it goes with the territory
awwww Beautiful Winnie. I love the old lady.
ReplyDeletegayle xx
Wishing you the very best of all things. Made me cry. It's always so hard to let go...
ReplyDeleteIt will be hard my man, but it will be the right thing to do.
DeleteI am always sad and upset when faced with these times ,but I always feel comforted by knowing it’s the right decision at the right time
It will be heart breaking when the time comes, but we have a duty to see they don't go a day too late. I am sure she relished that double cheeseburger!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Winnie, I love her.
ReplyDeleteWhat I liked about today , is that she sat in the passenger seat next to me, a rarity as this was always Megs and then Mary’s seat
DeleteIt was nice that she was given the promotion
You do know when the time is right. You just do. Xx
ReplyDeleteWinnie will know when it is time. Because you love her, you will know too. It is funny that you talk about McDonald's. After I had mine put down , that was my regret: that we hadn't gone through the drive thru one last time: the order never varied - large unsweetened iced tea double lemon lots of ice and one plain cheeseburger. The handed it out the window to that big old dog hanging out the back seat window. He unwrapped it himself.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad someone else gets my actions x
DeleteOh what a wonderful memory !
DeleteYes, you'll know when it's time and so will Winnie. What a lucky dog with no one telling her double cheeseburgers aren't good for her at her age!
ReplyDeleteShe only had the filling and one half of the bun
DeleteYes, she will let you know when the time is right. We will weep with you when the time comes, in the meantime, cherish each day. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI love that you got her a burger. When my Zoe was fading and had no appetite, I made her Marie Callender's chicken pot pies. She never got them when she was young and healthy, but at the end she got all the dainties she deserved.
ReplyDeleteWinnie’s love of food has never deserted her.
DeleteOver the years I have read your blog I have grown extremely fond of Winnie. Tales of her love of blue collar workers, her need to be noticed, her very healthy appetite and her `slippers` have all made me smile and endeared her to me. You`ve been mentioning for a while now of her gradual decline and I have to say when that day finally arrives I will be very sad. I hope she hangs in there a little longer and manages a few more burgers yet.
ReplyDeleteSay it! “ the slippers of sex” became a bit of a phenomenon at the time lol
DeleteHa ha ! I was trying to save her blushes, after all we heard enough about her fanny flannel freshen ups !!
DeleteMy thoughts and prayers go out to you. We've lost 4 dogs previously and it breaks your heart each and every single time (more so than a human dying sometimes!) Finally, after two and a half years, we have acquired two new puppies who are the light and soul of our home. You are a wonderful dog owner. xxx
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this is so sad. We had traumas with Rupert the cat yesterday and we thought we would be going to the vet today but he's pulled out of it. Our love of our pets goes straight to our hearts and hurts so much and yet we would never be without them would we. I hope Winnie enjoyed her burger and bless her.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Sad? No not really, the big old girl has brought me so much joy over the years
DeleteWhen it’s her time, it’s her time x
Your comment about the '12 year old vet' did make me smile, but I am truly sorry about Winnie. As you say, you will know when the time is right, just as I did with my baby. x
ReplyDeleteNever an easy decision to make but you will know when the time is right. Sending love to you and Winnie x
ReplyDeleteI don't believe for a moment that she knew what you and the vet were talking about, thankfully, other than perhaps thinking "Oh, maybe he is being told to buy me a double cheeseburger". Hopefully when the time comes she will remember this trip and believe, while she is drifting off, that a double cheeseburger will be coming her way soon. That is a nicer thought anyway. This is why I cannot have a pet, having made the final trips with two of them. I am too soft for any more.
ReplyDeleteOf course she didn’t, but I must admit out of all of my dogs Winnie is the only one that can understand complex ideas and concepts ( relative to other dogs)
ReplyDeleteShe is a one off
And has a remarkable sense of humour.
I am much more sanguine about euthanasia in animals Andrew.
The kindness of the vets needle out weighs anything else me thinks
Sadly, the day comes for many of us when the vet's needle would be a blessing, while dreaming of double cheeseburgers.... oh, and on a much lighter note, have you noticed they now offer TRIPLE cheeseburgers on the Saver menu at £2.19? I indulge very rarely, but in that I may indulge... And I don't care what anyone says but McDonald's coffee in the UK at least is truly excellent... Nicer thoughts...
DeleteTheir coffee is strong and flavoursome
DeleteAnd remains a treat
Agreed x 2. Xx
DeleteSmooches to Winnie, and to you.
ReplyDeleteBonnie in Minneapolis
We are both fine...dogs have the unenviable ability not to understand they are ill
DeleteAs the companion human to a 14.5yo Collie, I totally understand where you are. It's just not time.
ReplyDeleteMcDonalds? I found out my guy was a regular when our sons were teenagers. They used to take him to the drive through for a happy meal (yes, cheeseburger) and they would order their food. The lady in the window recognized the car and asked me where the copilot was!
Hugs to Miz Winnie from a very old Collie dog.
I'm sorry, John. I wonder how Dorothy will act come the day and beyond. Improve?
ReplyDeleteIt won’t faze her, as long as I am around
DeleteYou will know when the time is right John glad Winnie still has a good appetite. I love the photo of Albert and Winnie on the side bar, and still miss George they are all special in their own way.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. We will have to enjoy the stories of her while she is still with you. But it is so hard to watch a pet you love grow old and fade. I will be thinking about you both.
ReplyDeleteYou have helped her have a good life, and she has been there for you
ReplyDeleteI like the way you face it head on, John. The way I see it, you have a clear and unsentimental vision which will allow you to enjoy what last she has and let her go at the right time.
ReplyDeleteI thought she wouldn't make it through the pyometra but she's the dog that gives and gives. Lovely girl
Oh darling old Winnie, I like your analogy to a faded rose. She captured my heart when she first came into your life I adore bulldogs and I will revisit her antics on your blog when she is no longer here. Hugs to both of you..and an extra cheeseburger for Winnie xx
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
Oh dear, don't we all know this one...holding old pup in arms as they leave this existence, leave our hearts broken more than a little, a slobbery old toy
ReplyDeleteleft in the entryway, a smelly dog blanket that will never again be washed, a keepsake, - you toss your keys in the bowl having just left the little body at the crematorium - get on with the empty dog space that seems larger than they ever were. I am so glad that Winnie farted, perfect- her opinion of the matter is such great dog philosophy keeping you from being sadder than a weathered lifeless rose. You will indeed know when the time is right, or the doggo will, might just slip out of this life, quietly, a toot on the way just for good measure.
You WILL know when the time is right, and so will she! Reading the above brought back memories of collecting the body of my lovely dog, Bok, after he was allowed to die. Two girls from the practice helped me carry him to the car (in a bag), and wished me 'Good Luck'. I was in a terrible state for days, but I was so glad to have brought him home. I know your pain John.... all will be well.
ReplyDeleteAwww man this is making me cry.
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart to read this.
ReplyDeleteDon’t let it Yael
DeleteShe has given so much love and humour to my life ....how good it that eh?
She's such a wonderful character and has lived to a grand old age, given her breed. I like her well timed fart - that gave the vet the short shrift.
ReplyDeleteI've been in your position with an elderly, fading, incontinent dog and trying to balance wanting her to stay with me forever against what was best for her. It's heartbreaking.
I hope you cherish the time you have left together.
She knows she's failing but she also knows that she's loved. What more could any of us ask?
ReplyDeleteWe know our pets. They tell us.
ReplyDeleteYou will know when the time is right and if you miss the signs, Winnie will tell you.
ReplyDeleteThe Vet is good to listen to your opinion and follow your lead. So many try to lay down a guilt trip and make things doubtful for the owner, I have fell for that in the past ... never again.
I've just come over on the recommendation of 'Virginia', who left a comment on my blog. What a beautiful, and beautifully written blog this is, but I am so sorry to read about Winnie. My fox terrier Bertie has recently been diagnosed with cancer of the bladder and although he seems well at the moment, I hope I will recognise when 'the time is right'.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Gail.
And you are very welcome x
DeleteWe rescue older dogs--they do let you know when it is time. All the best to you and Winnie--I know you will treasure all the time you have with her.
ReplyDeleteThis was in my email this morning from the new York times, How dogs age-https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/science/dogs-aging-behavior.html?campaign_id=34&emc=edit_sc_20201110&instance_id=23968&nl=science-times®i_id=105893936&segment_id=44097&te=1&user_id=1cc90720c9903d4edd31356a621a1739
ReplyDeleteDear sweet Winnie. Hug her once for me. And plant a kiss on her nose from across the pond.
ReplyDeleteDear, sweet Winnie that made me cry. We love our pets so much, it's so hard to let them go. Enjoy your time together John, you are lucky to have each other xx
ReplyDeleteHi John, I don’t know if it helps but with my old boy I tried him on something called Vetvits which are vitamins for dogs. He went from being a 12 year old collie cross pointer who was struggling to get about to almost puppy like and was still doing his daily walks until he started to slow down about 6 months before I lost him just shy of 15! Just thought I would let you know as it may help with Winnie. The vetvits kind of ease the pain by lubicating the joints again I think. I friend told me about them and they really helped my boy. I wish you all the best with whatever you choose to do only you know your old girl. All the best Sally in ramsgate
ReplyDeleteBig hugs, xx
ReplyDelete