Today has been a bit of a struggle for Franklin… he was up at 5am this morning… hopping around the bedroom and he went to get a drink of water… then he wanted out.. I gave him another dose of cough syrup as he was wheezing when he came inside. He stood by the bed because he wanted up… so I put him on the bed.. turned him on his amputated side (he doesn’t wheeze as much then) and snuggled with him till 7am… when the alarm went off.. I called into work as I had a heck of a headache…and told them I would be in later.. and I snuggled some more… woke up at 10am and so did he.. fully rested…
Tonight, he’s been kinda slow… it’s a grey and rainy day here… the day that you could spend in bed just snuggling… I wish I had.
My sweetie said tonight.. “I guess we need to make a decision”. We now have to think about how uncomfortable this sweet baby is with his breathing. I don’t think next week is going to be a good week….
Call me weird but… when that day comes.. I think I am going to take Maggie with us. She can be in the room with us and Franklin… it will cause less stress for Franklin having his partner in crime there… We don’t know what goes on in a dogs mind.. but I think Maggie should be there… perhaps she will accept his absence…
I will never forget when our cat Diesel passed away in September. He was 18 1/2 and he was there all of Maggie’s life. Well… I was at a Scout camp with my daughter that weekend and he passed in the late evening on Saturday night.. My sweetie wrapped him in a towel and put him in a box. The emergency vet clinic told him to put him in the freezer, so he did. Well.. on Monday morning, I took him out of the freezer, still in the box of course, and I put the box on the floor. Maggie stood in front of it and I opened the box for her, and pulled back the towel for her. She stuck her head in that box.. and very slowly she lifted it up and looked at me as if to say “wtf??” geesh.. I swear I could read her mind… lol
Here’s a few more happy pictures to share…
1st is a picture of the sleeping couch… with my sweetie.. and ALL of them are asleep. That is Diesel on his lap…
2nd – This is Franklin and Diesel.. sleeping buddies. I know they will hang out together at the Bridge. It is inevitable!!
bark atcha later!
Two beautiful pictures. I don’t want to make you cry, but that second picture……..that’s a special special picture for you to have of them together, the way they will be forever….together.
I’ve been thinking about you guys so much over the last week. Franklin’s was the first story I followed on here. I wish I could give you a hug. I’m sorry it’s come to this point, but I know you will do what’s right for your Franklin.
All my love,
Erica
Did I read that right? Diesel was over 18 yrs. old?? What a fine full life he had.
The picture says it all…they will reunite when the time comes and Maggie will be here to help on this end
And we will all be here holding your hand and wishing we could somehow bring you comfort.
Perhaps if the weather is a little better tomorrow, Frank will feel better also. Drewery days don’t make anybody feel good!
Frank is enjoying the love and lapping it all up and I know you are doing the same.
Just curious about it being easier for Frank to breathe on his side….have you tried NOT laying him on his side and is his breathing any better? I just knows dog of mine has heart/breathing issues and the vet said it was harder for him to breathe on his side.
Really hoping for a sunny day for you as I know that will help him feel better…..and you and Maggie sit out and sunbathe with him.
Holding you softly in our hearts, Sally and Happy Hannah
I love that he enjoys snuggling with you…….that’s good for all!
Hey Sally.. yup my Diesel was 18 1/2 ! ! ! He was the Godfather!! Mind you.. the last couples of months he was more like the crypt keeper!! lol
WE help Franklin get onto his left side.. and well as sleep kinda straight with his head down.. I have even put pillows behind him so he won’t flop!!
Anything to make him comfy.
Today was a good day!! pig ear in the back yard.. and now he’s snoozing on his bed…
Tomorrow will be snuggling and lounging… him and me time.. with Maggie in between.. :O)
I don’t think it is weird at all to take Maggie with you. Not to anthropomorphize, but I think it gives them a sense of closure and helps them understand why their packmate is gone. They may not understand why someone was there, and then isn’t…but they do understand death. I think it allows them to put the pieces together and to grieve/mourn/transition.
Hugs to you.
Thanks for the update Christine. So glad he had a better day today….he’s still here with you show I g you what great therapy pig ears, lounging and snuggling can be!
The love you are giving him is what’s making him fulfilled and content and I know he is giving you that same love and contentment back! If he thought you liked pig ears I bet he’d even give you half of his.:-) 🙂 Ma not share with Maggie girl though, huh?
Hope tomorrow co to use to bring the warmth of the healing sun to you all.
Surrounding the ENTIRE group….including Felix…..with lots of hugs…..the kind of hugs that comfort:-)
Sally and Happy Hannah