June 27, 2012

little sophie's update....


i'm sorry i haven't kept you updated regarding sophie. 
sometimes, bad news just isn't the kind of thing you want to write about or even talk about.
~
after her liver scare, it was confirmed that she has kidney failure. unfortunately at her age, it's not something she will ever recover from. all we can do now is to continue the fluid treatments to help flush the toxins out of her body, keep her stress free, pray that she eats anything and love all over her.


if you walked in my front door, you'd be surprised to see a very happy dog, based on what i just told you. at this point she doesn't look sick. 
her tail still wags and she still runs around happy to see me if i've been gone even a few minutes. 
but she sleeps deeply for hours, yet can still make it outside on her own to go the bathroom.
~
that will all change.
we don't when or how quickly, but the disease will progress to the point where she'll be in pain or simply miserable and we'll have to put her to sleep.
~
until then, we watch her sleep and laugh while she dreams. her little legs move like they're "running" and she makes little dreaming baby noises in her throat. 
based on the photo above, i think she's reliving her days at the beach in seaside.
what a great dream to have.
*



45 comments:

  1. i'm sorry, sweetie. i know this is hard. no matter how you try to prepare.

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  2. oh poor little lovey. She's such a dear and if her dreams are of running on the beach, then good dreams they are. To keep loving on her is the best way to go. She'll know. xo

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  3. So hard for you guys. I am so sorry. I am glad Sophie is having some sweet cozy days with you as she slowly ends her journey. Sending big love and hugs to all of you.

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  4. Both of these pictures are so sweet. She even has a twinkle in her eye as she takes those bounding leaps across the beach. Thinking about you.

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  5. AnonymousJune 27, 2012

    oh beth....i'm all choked up right now, pause....now i've got tears in my eyes...pause....she's such a precious pup...big hugs to you and sophie.

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  6. So easy to love and so hard to lose ... my heart is with you.

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  7. Hugs to you, Beth. What a sweet charmer Sophie is!

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  8. ooooh, beth, this made me cry. I am so sorry.
    Hugs, kath

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  9. dog and person
    ~~ unconditional love!

    she is blessed to be cared for by you,
    know I hold you close in my heart ~

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  10. I'm sorry to hear that, Beth. It's so difficult when our kids and pets are ill. Those are two adorable photos. Such a sweet face.

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  11. I love the photo of Sophie running!

    The great thing about the way dogs think is that they don't worry about the future like people do ... they let US do that for them. We have managed kidney failure pets, and you will soon fall into a routine of care. You have the right idea, with the sub-q fluids and encouraging her to eat. (We used to do fluids for our cat on the dining table, hanging the IV bag from an S hook on the chandelier.)

    Please give sweet Sophie a hug from me.

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  12. I am so sorry to read this bad news :-( Thank goodness she is not suffering yet, although I can imagine how you are. I wish all the best to the dear sweet dog.

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  13. Geez, that just sucks. I'm so sorry.
    Give her lots of love and proceed as normal until she lets you know she's ready to go Home.

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  14. Oh sweetie...I am so sorry to hear about your precious Sophie! :( Well you are doing the right thing...just keep her happy and take lots of photos. Hang in there! My heart goes out to you. xoxo

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  15. AnonymousJune 27, 2012

    Wishing Sophie days of joy. And you TOO!

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  16. oh Beth, i'm so sorry. this update has made me cry. my heart goes out to you & your family. maybe you could have a special day out for her before she gets so sick she can't do anything. another beach day perhaps. love that second photo. you should frame that one.

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  17. Sweet baby.

    ...and yup! cuter!

    ...shhh!

    Hugs to the darling girl. Glad she's comfortable and dreaming happy dreams. Hugs to you too.

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  18. Hugs to you and Sophie. She will always be with you ....loving you and you her..... Wishing you and Sophie well.

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  19. you just go on loving her.......
    they are much wiser than we are<3
    xx
    z

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  20. Oh Beth...I am SO so sorry. She does look like a bundle of boundless energy and LOVE in these photo's...huge hugs...

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  21. sweet dreams, dear Sophie!
    Sending Sophie and you hugs!
    It is so hard to walk with a dear pet through the end of their life. Love her, as I know you do each day.

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  22. Beth I am so sorry. My baby had very bad arthritis and heart disease. The feeling of seeing your best friend aging before your eyes and ailing in health is one of powerlessness. She is a precious thing that no words from me will placate the sorrow of seeing her sick. All I can do is pray that her disease progresses very very very very slowly and allow you too have many more happy years with her.

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  23. Beth, this is so difficult. I know. I've been there. Sending all of you warm hugs. :(

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  24. I went through this same thing with one of my cats 8 years ago. Honestly, it's not easy. We chose to put kitty to sleep and I cried for a whole day.

    Life goes on and so do our pet friends. Thank God for photos! Kisses to Sophie!

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  25. Oh Beth, so sorry to hear this. Same thing with our beagle Travis 2 years ago. Big warm hugs to you and Sophie.

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  26. beth - you don't know when or how quickly. never forget that. maggie the cat had 2 good years after she was diagnosed with kidney failure. and though the vet swore i would have to have her put to sleep at the end, i didn't. she just went to sleep on her own.

    you don't know.

    i am sending prayers & thoughts of strength and all kinds of good vibes to you, your husband, and sweet sophie. and i am here if you need to talk.

    xoxox

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  27. ((((( hug )))))

    i am so sorry

    sending you love ~ ~ ~

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  28. I am so sorry Beth...and yet you are fortunate to have this time together for loving and saying good bye. What a cutie she is!

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  29. Ooohhh. I know it is hard. I've been through it and you do if you have a pet. They are your best friends. The best listeners and love you to death no matter what. Prayers for Sophie and you. xo Jenny

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  30. So sorry to read about sophie....i know when the time comes to lose my dog I'll be absolutely heartbroken and will want to put myself to sleep with him. you even got a jumping picture of her!

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  31. Beth...
    Been away for a long while...so much going on in my life. I just spent a couple of hours catching up on your life...my goodness girl...you got a LOT goin on!
    So sorry to hear about little Sophie...sending love and warm sunggles to you and her. Your photos and the story they tell are magic...and...I wish you were closer. Take good care...
    Julia

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  32. I love that picture of Sophie. The essence of what it feels like to be there, pure joy.

    Just love on her and know what a wonderful life you have given her.

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  33. If you keep hydrating, she might have many good months yet to come ... Rose had the same diagnosis and due to every other day hydration she's holding her own "numbers" wise and still gives Jack a hard time, snuggles with me every evening and enjoys her 'special' food (Science Diet KD which I blend with a little water to make a pudding).

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  34. I am so sorry. My heart and prayers go out to you. I have four babies and I couldn't imagine what you're going through. BIG HUGS.

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  35. i love you sophie! give her a rub on the tummy, from auntie, C.
    xo

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  36. Watching beloved family members fade away is so painful. We are powerless to do anything but continue to let them know how much they are loved. Sophie knows she has enjoyed a very good life in your family and that she will be remembered with love and gratitude.

    Peace.

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  37. sweet girl. this made me cry.

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  38. Awe, this breaks my heart, I love li'l Sophie. She seems so young it's hard to believe she is 'elderly.' Cherish every moment as I know you will. xoxo

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  39. very hard and difficult....sending you and Sophie lots of love and caring thoughts....I know how much she means to you.....I wish you both did not have to go through this. This is the hardest part of the joy that our dear pets bring us. If you need anything or need to talk please let me know. Please give Sophie some kisses for me!

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  40. Oh dear, I am so sorry... love her up and enjoy every moment together. I will be keeping you both in my heart and my thoughts. xo

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  41. We have been on the fluids with little Bert for over 2 years now. It does not change the fact that he is just old, but it sure has made things better for him. He actually looks forward to it each night, because he gets a vanilla wafer when it's done.

    We take each day as it comes, and hope for the best for tomorrow.

    Sophie is absolutely precious, and I wish you the very best with her.

    xo.

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  42. AnonymousJune 29, 2012

    I haven't had time to make my rounds, but Sophie has been on my mind. Sending hugs. Wishing for many more days that you can love all over her!

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  43. I love love that shot of Sophie! My prayers are with your sweet brave girl!

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  44. There's something special about an old lady dog... I've had the pleasure of having two in my life.
    I'm so sorry yours is not well, but from your photos and words about her, she has a lovely life.
    She is lucky to have you, and you her.
    Take care,
    Kelli

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  45. Oh, Beth -- I see in your experience a bit of a mirror of that with Gypsy. You are brave and I know with grat certainty that Sophie knew how much you loved her and cared. Hold fast to that.

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth