Thank You

[Jaybay]

Hi Dr. Cheng.  Just wanted to let you know that we had to put Chica down yesterday at 5:45 pm.  I also want to thank you for answering my numerous questions about renal failure over the past couple of months.  

Poor old Chica's body was done, but her mind wasn't.  That made it so very difficult for us to decide when enough was enough.  In the end, we had to resort to the tranquilizers about 45 minutes before we left the house.  She weighed only about 40 pounds, and the dose was enough for a 200 pound dog.  She still fought it.  I had to resort to giving her 50 mg of phenergan on top of the other medication.  By the time we left, I'm pretty certain she had no idea of what was going on, and the end was a quiet and peaceful as I could have hoped.  

At least I have no regrets about anything in Chica's life or as she was dying.  We did everything we possibly could to keep her going and comfortable for as long as possible.  Until she was gone, I really had no idea how nursing Chica had taken over my life.  Every time I hear an odd noise I find myself glancing over at the couch where Chica spent her last days and thinking, "What's wrong?  Does she need something?"  The stress crept up on me so slowly, that I'm finding myself at loose ends today.  I know it will get better, and I have so many great memories of Chica that hopefully the pain of her last couple of months will fade soon.  I know she's in a better place now.

Thanks again for volunteering your time and knowledge to help all of us critter lovers.  And thanks to everyone who very kindly responded to my journal entries and postings about Chica.  It really does help hearing kind words from people who understand exactly what it means to lose a companion.  :-)

Jen

[ireneo]

It's good to hear from you again. I was wondering how things went and how you are holding up. Yep, there will be a big gap in your life for awhile. Eventually you'll have all the memories without the pain. I'm so sorry you're hurting right now.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

This is definately the most difficult time of being a pet owner (or being a veterinarian).  Chica gave a life time of love and companionship but in a compacted very short life span.  If only they lived as long as we did!  But they don't, and unfortunately we must accept that sad reality if we want these wonderful creatures as part of our lives.
I know it will take time but eventually the beautiful memories of Chica in better times will take over.  And there is a heaven for our animal companions!  With sympathy..Dr. Cheng