PAST PETS

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak 
And pain should keep me from my sleep, 
Then will you do what must be done, 
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won. 

You will be sad I understand, 
But let not grief then stay your hand, 
You wouldn't want me to suffer so. 
When the time comes, please, let me go.

We have had so many happy years, 
What is to come - it holds no fears.
For on this day, more than the rest, 
Your love and friendship must stand the test.  

Take me where to my needs they'll tend, 
Only, stay with me till the end 
Hold me close and speak to me 
Until my eyes no longer see. 

For I know, you too, in time will see 
It is a kindness you do to me. 
Although my tail its last has waved, 
From pain and suffering I have been saved. 

Don't grieve that it must be you 
Who has to decide this thing to do; 
We've been so close -- we two -- these years, 
Don't let your heart hold any tears. 


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RYLEY

April 12, 2001 - September 17, 2011

We got Ryley, at 10 weeks old, from a reputable breeder in MA. He was the runt of the litter of 17 pups!!!! His 4 hour drive home was a pleasure. He settled right down into Scott's arms.

We called Ryley our "Telethon Dog". He had so many medical issues that we needed a telethon to pay for the vet bills! I will put a # in parenthesis by the medical issue to keep a tally.

2001: As a pup, Ryley developed (#1) H.O.D. (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy) HOD typically first presents between the ages of 2 and 7 months. HOD is characterized by decreased blood flow to the  part of the bone adjacent to the joint. 

His symptoms were complete lameness, swelling of the joints, lethargy, fever. 

Ryley's symptoms started at 3.5 months old. It lasted for a horrible 4 months.

The cause is unknown as well as the treatment. Cause may be from vaccines, too high Vitamin C count, too fast growth that the bones haven't developed enough for the weight. Treatment is also hit or miss and A LOT of at home nursing care.

We treated Ryley with steroids and antibiotics. When he would get a severe flare up, we could tell he had a high temperature because he would emit a very odd, distinctive odor. We would have to lay ice wrapped in towels to cool him down.

He eventually developed (#2) pneumonia from laying around for long periods of time. So we had to start palpating his lung area to free them of fluid.

He developed (#3) rectal prolapse because of problems defecating while being held up by us.

His fevers became so severe (106°), that we needed to administer IV fluids to cool him down.

Some owners will put a dog down because it's too much care or they don't want their puppy to suffer. We were willing to do the care and we knew from research that with the right care, this would only last about 4 months and he should end up healthy, pain free and lead a normal life. Which is what happened.

We feel Ryley was especially close to us because of the constant contact and care given him in those early months.

Just after recovering from H.O.D., Ryley broke his front leg. Was this possibly an after effect from H.O.D.? We don't know.

2003: Infected Lymph gland in neck. Eventually needed to be removed. His drain kept coming out so Scott would have to clean it out with a Q-tip...disgusting!

Ryley accompanied me to many Irish Setter Rescue events. He didn't enjoy the hat, but he was such a good boy that he would keep it on. 

Ryley tended to enjoy larger "toys". He stole my neck roll and it was his ever after..  You can see the difference in his eyes. He had glaucoma in the one eye and it couldn't be saved. He eventually lost his sight in the other eye from glaucoma also. He handled blindness magnificently. He deserved better.

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PILLSBURY

Approx. 1999 - Feb. 22, 2011
Adopted 2007

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SOPHIE

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CHANCE

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JESSIE

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BEN

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PASTINA

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