Wednesday, June 16, 2010

This little fellow, my friend, my buddy


This picture was taken awhile back. Ren, my buddy, is seriously sick and spending the night at the vet. We found out today he has severe renal failure and hyperthyroidism. He has lived alot of good times but recently he has gone downhill pretty fast. Lost alot of muscle mass, weight, and isn't eating well at all. He can't retain his bowel or bladder. He is moaning and we have tried to cater to him for a long time.
Even though I should have known and I thought I was prepared for his terminal friendship, a call today sent me, a professional woman trying to fix everybody, to tears.
He is at the point of suffering now and I always said I would never put him to sleep. I was hoping he would just peacefully go in his sleep when the time came.
The vet, who I've known for 10 years and has taken care of him said he would hydrate him with IV fluids today but tomorrow we have to talk to him about his condition. I know what this means.
There is not much hope for his aged condition and his kidneys are gone.
It's heartbreaking to know you can't  help him live.
But I'm pretty much prepared for what he has to say tomorrow.
I know this is a controversial subject but my buddy is near Rainbow Bridge I believe.
I can't say he didn't live his life to the fullest. I can say he was my friend, my companion for nearly 17 years.
Tomorrow we will know what to do. But in the interim and in our hearts we know he probably won't come home again.
It's amazing how close our furbabies get to our hearts.
We had to tend to him alot last night and his yelps I knew were different. I should be prepared but it still hurts. When I look at him, I think of the Velveteen Rabbit story. He definitely is Real.
Till later,
Jennifer

30 comments:

  1. Oh Jennifer, what you are going through right now is so, so hard. I understand completely how you feel and there is nothing anyone can say or do that will take the heartache away.

    One thing that should comfort you is that you made Ren's life full of love and wonderful caretaking.

    You and Ren are joined together forever.

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  2. Sorry to hear this sad news about Ren! *hugs*

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  3. I'm sorry to hear about Ren's turn for the worse. Our furbabies look to us to take care of them and sometimes the best choice for them is the hardest choice for us.

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  4. My heart cries for you and Ren and bodyguard.

    My mom is going through something similar except her poor furbaby has lung cancer. He lives everyday happy and loving. He is getting very skinny as he does not eat much.

    I hate that our furbabies hurt and we cannot fix nor do we actually know they are sick until it is too late.

    Sending much love and hugs to you at this time.

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  5. Jennifer,
    All of us who have had pets all our lives, unfortunately go through this...it is so sad and we always miss them when they are gone. I am against a pet suffering when there's no hope of recovery.
    You will know what to do.
    Bless little Ren and you...

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  6. I'm crying.

    My heart is with you.

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  7. Jennifer, I visit your blog about everyday.(I guess I'm a lurker)! I love your stories about your babies. I feel so bad for you and your hubby. Losing a pet is a painful thing to have to go through. I am a nurse also and we nurses think that we can make everyone well and everything better,but we can't all the time. I have lost 3 furrbabies and the pain was great for all of them, but when the bad days are more than the good days then it's time to let them go. He has had Heaven on earth with you as his Mom. I cremated my babies and brought them back home. It made brought me some peace. He will be waiting for you at the bridge when it's time, because Heaven wouldn't be Heaven for him without you. Wishing you strength and peace. Jennifer

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  8. Big (((HUGS))) go out to you and yours. I know the difficult decision you have to make all to well having made it twice in the past 2 years.

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  9. Oh Jennifer, I'm so sorry to hear the news about Ren, I can understand how are you feeling and I'm with you I wouldn't like to put my doggie to sleep, it would break my heart, there are millions of good memories that will stay forever with you, and I do believe they'll have a special spot in Heaven..., whatever happens, I'll thinking about you and little Ren, don't leave him alone in his next step..., big hugs to your way <3 <3 <3

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  10. I'm so sorry about Ren. What a sweet and loving companion he has been to you. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. {{{hugs}}}

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  11. I know from past experience what you are going through. I can only say that Ren is a very lucky little guy to have you and BG as his parents. He is in a home that he is loved. I hear that in heaven we are with all of our fur babies. My heart goes out to you and little Ren.

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  12. Such a heartbreaking situation Jennifer, my heart goes out to you. There are so many of us that have been in your shoes, and we understand what you're going through, if that helps at all. I've cried so many tears for the furbabies we had to help cross that bridge. We've never had ONE that crossed it on their own, even though I BEGGED God to please end their pain and take them in their sleep. It just never has happened that way. It's so hard to take that final step, but it's the last good and caring, loving thing you can do for him. Ren will thank you when he's in Heaven and no longer in pain. And I do believe that our fur-babies are there, waiting for us, when we get to Heaven, and will greet us with happy kisses! People can think what they want about that, but I feel in my heart that God gives us these special furbabies for a reason.

    Praying for you....
    sending hugs too....

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  13. Jennifer;

    My heart aches for you at this time of sadness. If Ren goes to the Rainbow Bridge, tell him to look for Samson Napoleon (a black/White Chihuahua) . My Sammy will show him the ropes and take him in. There they will play with Scotty, Moose, Chipper, Blackie, Benji and Lucky. I know with all my heart all my boys will love him until the day Ren can be with you again.

    (((Hugs)))

    Joanne

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  14. I feel so badly for you and I know you will do the right thing for your baby. I too will be facing that all too soon. Both my babies are very old. We just have to remember they were their for us, in our bad times and in our good times. Now their work is finished and they have to return home. I'll keep you in my prayers. Rae

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  15. Jennifer, I'm sorry for what you, bodyguard and Ren are going thru. I've been there and it is heartbreaking. I'm keeping you all in my prayers.
    Robin

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  16. Jennifer--so sorry to hear this news about Ren. Hugs and prayers go out to you!

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  17. My heart goes out to you. Ren was so lucky to have you in his life.

    ~Kat

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  18. Jennifer, I am soooo sorry to hear about your baby. My heart aches for you as I have been where you are many times. It is never easy, especially when you have been together so long. My Tasha was 17 when I had to make the same painful decision last August and my little Socks was only 12 three months ago. You and your family will be in my prayers. And yes, there IS a Rainbow Bridge. I've got a lot of babies waiting there for me.

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  19. Jennifer, so very sorry for your sadness. When I was loosing my furbaby I inhaled deeply behind her ears, so I would always be able to close my eyes and remember her special scent. I also kept a snip of her soft fur. Wishing you and family peace in the coming days...

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  20. Jennifer,

    So sorry to hear about Ren's condition. In February, we were where you and BG are now. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Stephanie

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  21. When we have a pet in our life we never thought that this happens, but inevitably arrives. Be strong Jennifer. Love and hugs

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  22. Jennifer,
    My thoughts and hugs are with you.

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  23. Jennifer, you know that we have
    just come through losing our
    sweet Gabe. It hurts so very
    badly right now, but the pain
    does lessen with each day that
    passes. And yes, I do so believe
    God has prepared a sweet and
    special place in Heaven for all
    of our fur babies. Take comfort
    in Him.
    Love,
    Sandy

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  24. Jennifer,
    I am so sorry about Ren, I know how you are feeling. I've been there.I'll keep him in my thoughts.

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  25. Jennifer,
    I'm so sorry about Ren. The ultimate show of love is knowing when to let our furbabies go. He's had a most loving home but he's ready to make the trip over thr bridge. It's never easy to let them go but he will be waiting on the other side for you.
    Donna

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  26. I'm so sorry to hear that little Ren isn't doing well. I'll be sending good thoughts you and Ren's way as you have to make this difficult decision.

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  27. Oh sweetie, my heart goes out to you. One could see how close you are to Ren, and he knows how much you love him.

    Tell you what, I'll send my beloved Pudge to greet Ren at the Rainbow Bridge. Pudge was a Border Collie and would have been 15 on Halloween. He passed away last Monday from what I think was a heart attack. It was over quickly and all I could do was stroke him and tell him it was okay if he left me. I'm hoping the vet will let you stay with Ren until he's gone, that is if you want to.
    hugs and prayers for you all, dear lady, Dianne in UT

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  28. Oh, Jennifer, my heart goes out to you. I know that this is so hard after having him in your life for so long. They're always there for us, aren't they? Many hugs!!!

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  29. Jennifer, I am so sorry. It made me think of my Boston Terrier, Lucy. She had cancer and had to be put to sleep when she was 18 years old. Eighteen years is a long time to have a friend. We got to put her to sleep at home in our arms since our vet was a family friend. It was a sad day. But we had a lot of wonderful memories, and it might sound silly, but I fully expect that she will be there to greet me when I die. I look forward to seeing her again.
    My heart goes out to you as you make a hard decision, but you will do what is best for Ren, whatever that might be.

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  30. My first visit to your lovely blog has me in tears. I'm so sorry to hear about Ren. It is never easy to lose an animal, especially after 17 years! omgosh that is a long long time. Hugs to you and Ren.

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Jennifer