[Magdalen] Advice - Malcolm

[Scott Knitter]

There's an article by a vet somewhere pleading with pet owners to be
present for the pet's final moments, as many owners can't face that or
would rather not. The vet said the pet's simple need is to see you, and of
course it's heartbreaking for the vet and staff when the owner isn't there.
Your presence is all the comfort in the world. (I know you'll be there.)

I sometimes imagine our cats reaching that moment, and it will be both sad
and merciful. I pray for a grace-filled parting for Malcolm's final relief
from pain and illness. It really does sound like it is time. Very sad...
I'm so sorry, Rick and Alex and Malcolm.

On Tue, Jan 25, 2022, 1:55 PM Jay Weigel <jay.weigel at gmail.com> wrote:

> It's always so much better if you can hold them. Even though I had to take
> mine to the vet, I always held them and petted them and told them I loved
> them while they went to sleep.
>
> On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 2:48 PM Rick Mashburn <ricklmashburn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Thank you, Chris!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Rick
> >
> > On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 1:34 PM Christopher Hart <cervus51 at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > So sorry, Rick. I didn't respond earlier because I really had no advice
> > to
> > > offer, but I feel your pain. May Malcom be comforted by your love.
> > >
> > > On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 12:08 PM Rick Mashburn <
> ricklmashburn at gmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Thanks to everyone who has responded. He's not getting any better.
> I'm
> > > > waiting on a call back from his regular vet to confirm that there
> isn't
> > > > anything else that can be done.
> > > >
> > > > The really scary part is that some of the stones in his bladder are
> > > pretty
> > > > large. (I've seen the x-rays.) If he gets completely blocked, his
> > bladder
> > > > will fill pretty quickly. If it ruptures, that will be painful for
> him
> > > and
> > > > traumatic for all of us. That's not what we want..
> > > >
> > > > A friend recommended a vet who makes house calls. We will likely
> > schedule
> > > > the procedure for Friday morning. We're heartbroken but it's the best
> > > thing
> > > > for him. It would be unfair to wait too long. He will be here where
> he
> > > > feels safe and loved and with his family.
> > > >
> > > > Prayers would be very much appreciated.
> > > >
> > > > Much love,
> > > >
> > > > Rick, Alex and Malcolm
> > > >
> > > > On Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 10:35 AM Ann Markle <ann.markle at aya.yale.edu
> >
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Rick, I'm just so sorry.  I can't imagine saying goodbye to my
> cuddle
> > > > bug,
> > > > > and it has never been easy in the past.  I've been lucky to have
> vets
> > > > > advise me, and illnesses so serious that it really had to be done.
> > > > > Clementine was done at the vet's office.  I lay beside her and
> talked
> > > to
> > > > > her until she went to sleep; it was a 2 shot deal (the last to stop
> > her
> > > > > heart), and I couldn't stay for the last shot.  Dori came into my
> > life
> > > a
> > > > > short time after that, and cold as it sounds, it really did ease
> the
> > > pain
> > > > > of losing Clem.  I hope this isn't too devastating for you, but
> also
> > > that
> > > > > you grieve well, with sweet memories.
> > > > >
> > > > > Ann
> > > > >
> > > > > The Rev. Ann Markle
> > > > > Buffalo, NY
> > > > > ann.markle at aya.yale.edu
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 12:49 AM Rick Mashburn <
> > > ricklmashburn at gmail.com>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Dear friends,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > It's been a hard day at our house. As some of you know, Malcolm
> was
> > > > > > diagnosed with calcium oxalate bladder stones for some years now.
> > > He's
> > > > > been
> > > > > > on meds to balance the Ph in his urine (believed to pre-dispose
> > dogs
> > > to
> > > > > > these types of stones) with success for the last 3 or 4 years.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > In the last six months, the number of stones has increased and
> he's
> > > > > needed
> > > > > > hydropropulsion therapy multiple times. Last week, that stopped
> > > > working.
> > > > > He
> > > > > > was at the vet on Thursday and Friday but they were not able to
> > clear
> > > > his
> > > > > > urethra. In spite of taht, on Friday night, he was able to
> urinate
> > > > almost
> > > > > > normally and to a lesser extent on Saturday. Today, it has gotten
> > > much
> > > > > > worse. He is able to urinate but not very much and it's obvious
> he
> > is
> > > > not
> > > > > > able to empty his bladder.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > We are walking him more frequently so he can empty his bladder as
> > > much
> > > > as
> > > > > > possible but we know this is not a sustainable situation. The
> worst
> > > > case
> > > > > > scenario would be a ruptured bladder which would be painful and
> > > > traumatic
> > > > > > for all of us. I can't stand the thought of that happening to
> him.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > We've been in touch with a vet who makes house calls. They
> provide
> > > > > > euthenasia in a gentle, supportive way that would let us say
> > goodbye
> > > to
> > > > > him
> > > > > > without trauma. But, the thought of saying goodbye too soon is
> also
> > > > hard
> > > > > to
> > > > > > imagine.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I know many, many of you have had to make this agonizing
> decision.
> > > What
> > > > > > made the difference for you? What is the right criteria? We don't
> > > want
> > > > to
> > > > > > make a decision too quickly but I'm afraid that is mostly just
> > > > > selfishness.
> > > > > > I don't want to say goodbye at all but the window for that is
> > closing
> > > > --
> > > > > > and could close even more quickly than we imagine.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > We know our hearts will be broken either way. We want to do the
> > right
> > > > > thing
> > > > > > for Malcolm.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Much love,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Rick
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Christopher Hart
> > >
> > > List Mail Address: cervus51 at gmail.com
> > > Personal Mail: cervus at veritasliberat.net
> > > Twitter: @cervus51
> > >
> >
>