I took a great pro-active step this week for our Emma!
Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and pro-active lovers….
I thought I would give all of the residents our pro-active update. Since Emma has been diagnosed with liver disease we have had many ups and many downs. It got me to thinking about end of life issues for both Emma and Chaps. So, I started doing research and found a Hospice for animals in our area. It was a hard step to make but a smart one. I signed Emma up for Hospice care. We will now all be taken care of 24/7 by this wonderful group.
Emma had her initial evaluation and met some of her team yesterday.
Here she is waiting. Grandma and I had all of her medicines and records laid out.
Her Hospice team….
Emma had a full examination and about an hour and a half meeting.
It feels good to be pro-active and not make end of life decisions in a pure panic. We all agreed that Emma is not ready to make her journey yet but when she is we will all be ready to help her.
I will be blogging more about this facility in the future. It is a blessing.
Today Emma was really enjoying her life. Today was a great day! A lot of stress and anxiety was lifted from our shoulders….whew…..
More loving being pro-active later….Cat, Chaps and Emma
Comments(16)
Cat – I think that it is wonderful that you are doing this for Emma. You have done more for Emma during her life than most people would have been able to do. You are a fantastic mom. This is the worst time of a pet owners life when these tough decisions need to be made. It looks like Emma has a wonderful hospice team along with her family team of you, grandma and Chaps. My heart goes out to all of you during this very hard time. God bless all of you.
i commend you for taking this step. too many times during the pain of suffering we as pet owners go against what we have always said we want for our pets & charge ahead with extra painful procedures, surgeries etc.
good to if nothing else say what you want out loud. it makes it easier. they won’t be etched in stone but at least you get things & ideas sort of firmed up.
i did that for myself 2 years ago. always wanted to donate my body to a medical school..talked about it, was firm in my beliefs etc (no family so not big on the funeral thing & didn’t want anyone to think they should plan for anything for me…) so i finally sat down my dr & made arrangements with the state medical school. did a living will, made plans for care etc. a good thing to finally lay all out. no one has to agree with it but it puts me at ease.
same you for & miss emma..this way plans are in place for when it is time.
hopefully that is a long time from now.
Yet more proof of how lucky Emma and chaps are to have you.
Looks like another wonderful day in town! Emma got me up at 6am wanting her breakfast. She is now on rotisserie chicken with some canned hepatic mixed in.
If she had eyes they would be as big a plates when she gets that yummy chicken.
7am ish….back to bed for her sunrise nap. Ahhhhh….chicken
This is the best decision you could ever make for sweet Emma. I had no idea that they had hospice for animals. A very good thing for all of us to know. This is going to put everyone at ease and reassure you that what your doing is the very best for Emma. There is no words to express the love that you have for our Emma. Just amazing. I wish I were close enough to come see our Emma and spend time giving her some hugs. We send her lots and lots of cyber hugs and kisses.
Lois, I’m the same way. I’ve signed up for the registry here in Texas to donate my organs when I die and I told my sister that I’d like to donate my body to science. Why throw me in the ground and waste me when something could be learned to save others lives in the future. I think that’s a great choice.
cindy..
you need to check most medical schools won’t take a body once the organs have been removed..they want an “intact” one as much as possible for study..i had thought the same way & discovered that when doing my research. you also can’t be autopsied or obviously embalmed, or have a family viewing …so there restrictions that you don’t think of at first. i also carry a card in my wallet to identify me & will make notation on my dr lic when it gets renewed.
Oh, that makes sense Lois. Then I think I’ll tell my sister that if lives can be saved with my organs I want to do that. If not, donate the whole shabang to whoever will take my body. But, it’s really up to her in the end. I told her to do whatever makes her comfortable but it was perfectly fine with me if she donates or creamates because I don’t plan on buying a grave site. I have a card in my wallet identifying me as an organ donor and I’m on the Texas registrty.
My Texas Drivers License is already noted that I’m a donor.
Dear Cat, Honorable Mayor Chaps and Early Morning Misty Air,
How wonderful that you found an Animal Hospice in your area! And again, what a wonderful Mom you are and you are prepared and on top of things for the kids and of course for yourself and Grandma! Thank you for sharing all this wonderful information and letting us be part of it. Are you still seeing Dr. Leik next week?
The above pictures are priceless and sweet Emma seems to be enjoying herself.
Please know you are ALL in my heart and prayers.
Hi Gabrielle – Yes, I am still seeing Dr. Lieck next week but I am not taking Emma. It is too much for her now but I am going to talk to him about some massage techniques and perhaps he may have some other suggestions for our Emma. I am taking Chaps to see if he needs an adjustment in his spine. The last time Dr. Lieck said that the right side of his neck was out of alignment and he fixed it. A few days later I saw Chaps licking areas he forgot he had. He was like a noodle moving around. I was very impressed. Chaps really benefited. I think Emma did as well. Maybe she can make it to the next visit that I book. I really want her to go back out but for now I think she will stay home but knowing Emma, she could make it. She does everything in her own time. Amazing…really.
As Cindy said, I had no idea they had hospice for animals. This should be so helpful and comforting for Emma as well as for you, grandma, and Chaps.
Sounds like Emma had a good breakfast and nap.
Cat, Thanks for the update and I look forward hearing how the Mayor will do with Dr. Leick on Tuesday. And again I am so happy to see little Emma being herself and it is so wonderful to read she is doing the things she loves to do and of course having a Mommy like you is God’s gift to her. Hugs to ALL and kisses to the kids.
Bless you for your devotion to your little family. Cat, you are a wonderful person and a true inspiration to me. May this journey be a gentle and loving one for you all.
Hey Cat, Chaps and Emma
Charlie wishes you all well and our thoughts are with you!
What a wonderful organization. I had no idea this type of place/people existed. Glad Emma has had some good days here recently.
Oh Cat…..YOU are just an angel. I have tears of worry, but also relief for you to know that you are not on this journey alone. Although we ALL are with you in spirit, I wish I was closer to be with you and our sweet Emma, but since I can’t I’m so glad you have Hospice available to you — now you won’t be alone. YOU are always and HAVE ALWAYS provided THE BEST care for Emma and Chaps. Please know you will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers and I’m hopeful our sweet Emma will have MANY MORE good days like she has been having. Please know we love you so much!!!