I'm in the middle of the curse that comes with the package for all of us from the day we agree to take on the responsibility of a new canine friend. I have to decide when it's time to say goodbye to Mini Corgi.
This winter Mini started to seem a bit limp in the back, when we went for a walk, after she had slept and then got up, she would pull on one of her front legs. In addition, she had become very irritable towards the two little black ones.
I took a trip to the vet to ask for painkillers and have the matter investigated further. Our vet is a humorous man so his first comment was that if painkillers helped with the irritability, he would write a prescription for his wife too.
Mini was suffering from a slipped disc. A visit to an osteopath showed that she had a lot of tension in her forelimbs, presumably because she was compensating for pain in her back.
With painkillers when it hurt and treatments from the osteopath every 14 days, Mini's front leg got much better, but she still had difficulty jumping up on the sofa, and her back leg didn't get any better. The winter cold was definitely not Mini's friend either.
In addition, Mini, who is only seven years old, has gone gray very quickly. My theory is that dogs in pain go gray sooner than dogs who live a pain-free life – but that theory is entirely my own.
It is completely impossible to know how much pain the dog is in, we can only guess.
The thought that my dog might be in pain hurts indescribably!
The thought of me having to say goodbye to her hurts almost as much!
Mini was born here at Autogaarden. I sat with her on my lap while her mother gave birth to her siblings. Every time someone said they wanted to buy her, it gave me such a big stab in the heart that I had to keep her. We have trained rally, herded sheep, gone for walks and sleep in each other's arms every night. Mini is completely her own. There is no one like her.
I HUG LOVE her – so she doesn't have to live a life of pain if I can help her out of here in a gentle and loving way. From my heart, what a difficult decision to make.
One morning in April it all culminated. Within half an hour, Mini attacked both small dogs without warning. However, only a mock attack that did not cause any injuries. It is difficult to have a pack of dogs when one of the pack is not happy. It causes unrest and insecurity.
I made a quick decision that NOW was the time for the final goodbye. I called the vet's wife (who didn't seem the least bit irritable that day) and made an appointment for euthanasia that evening – and then I bawled until my eyes were about to fall out.
I never get used to having to say goodbye, and it hasn't gotten any easier since I had kids. I used to be able to just shoot my heart out, make a quick decision, and get it over with. Now I still have to make the decision, but I owe it to my kids to give them the chance to say goodbye.
Then the rest of the day was spent crying, taking a goodbye walk with Mini, and waiting for my husband to come home to act as driver. “Are you sure it’s now?” he asked on the way to the vet. “Yes,” I sobbed.
We had been given an appointment half an hour after the open consultation closed. Despite that, there were still six customers waiting to speak to the vet. It was more than I could handle, so without thinking the situation through, I asked my husband to drive me home.
Two very surprised and happy children greeted us when we brought Mini home. However, I had to remind them, and myself, that it didn't mean that Mini had now been given eternal life. One day I HAD to make a final decision and stick to it.
I put Mini on daily pain medication, and then we went on a period of only short walks alone or trips where she could run off leash. She was put on a blanket when it was cold.
Now it's summer, so to speak. The heat is good for her. Right now she hardly uses any painkillers. She seems happy and content. We practice nose work as a hobby, as it's a fun activity that can be done without putting a strain on Mini's body. I'm so happy that I can still lie in her arms with Mini at night with a clear conscience.
Mini’s weight is a bit on the high side. I’ve tried to get the vet to explain to her that it might be good for her to lose a little weight. “In these MeToo times, I refuse to comment on a lady’s weight!” he replied. “But I had a corgi myself once – and he really liked cookies too.”
As mentioned, I enjoy Mini's company every day. At the same time, I dread the day when it will truly be time for the final goodbye.
About this week's blogger:
Helene is an early retiree and spends a large part of her time with her animals. The animal team consists of 4 dogs, 1 cat, 15 free-range chickens, approx. 80 aviary birds and her daughter has three axolotls. And now she and Cookie can also call themselves a reading dog team.
She loves writing short stories, poems and stories from her everyday life and enjoys reading a good Scandinavian crime novel.
In addition to Helene and all the animals, the family consists of Birger 55 years old, Thor 12 years old and Sigrid 10 years old.
When is it time to say goodbye...
I'm in the middle of the curse that comes with the package for all of us from the day we agree to take on the responsibility of a new canine friend. I have to decide when it's time to say goodbye to Mini Corgi.
This winter Mini started to seem a bit limp in the back, when we went for a walk, after she had slept and then got up, she would pull on one of her front legs. In addition, she had become very irritable towards the two little black ones.
I took a trip to the vet to ask for painkillers and have the matter investigated further. Our vet is a humorous man so his first comment was that if painkillers helped with the irritability, he would write a prescription for his wife too.
Mini was suffering from a slipped disc. A visit to an osteopath showed that she had a lot of tension in her forelimbs, presumably because she was compensating for pain in her back.
With painkillers when it hurt and treatments from the osteopath every 14 days, Mini's front leg got much better, but she still had difficulty jumping up on the sofa, and her back leg didn't get any better. The winter cold was definitely not Mini's friend either.
In addition, Mini, who is only seven years old, has gone gray very quickly. My theory is that dogs in pain go gray sooner than dogs who live a pain-free life – but that theory is entirely my own.
It is completely impossible to know how much pain the dog is in, we can only guess.
The thought that my dog might be in pain hurts indescribably!
The thought of me having to say goodbye to her hurts almost as much!
Mini was born here at Autogaarden. I sat with her on my lap while her mother gave birth to her siblings. Every time someone said they wanted to buy her, it gave me such a big stab in the heart that I had to keep her. We have trained rally, herded sheep, gone for walks and sleep in each other's arms every night. Mini is completely her own. There is no one like her.
I HUG LOVE her – so she doesn't have to live a life of pain if I can help her out of here in a gentle and loving way. From my heart, what a difficult decision to make.
One morning in April it all culminated. Within half an hour, Mini attacked both small dogs without warning. However, only a mock attack that did not cause any injuries. It is difficult to have a pack of dogs when one of the pack is not happy. It causes unrest and insecurity.
I made a quick decision that NOW was the time for the final goodbye. I called the vet's wife (who didn't seem the least bit irritable that day) and made an appointment for euthanasia that evening – and then I bawled until my eyes were about to fall out.
I never get used to having to say goodbye, and it hasn't gotten any easier since I had kids. I used to be able to just shoot my heart out, make a quick decision, and get it over with. Now I still have to make the decision, but I owe it to my kids to give them the chance to say goodbye.
Then the rest of the day was spent crying, taking a goodbye walk with Mini, and waiting for my husband to come home to act as driver. “Are you sure it’s now?” he asked on the way to the vet. “Yes,” I sobbed.
We had been given an appointment half an hour after the open consultation closed. Despite that, there were still six customers waiting to speak to the vet. It was more than I could handle, so without thinking the situation through, I asked my husband to drive me home.
Two very surprised and happy children greeted us when we brought Mini home. However, I had to remind them, and myself, that it didn't mean that Mini had now been given eternal life. One day I HAD to make a final decision and stick to it.
I put Mini on daily pain medication, and then we went on a period of only short walks alone or trips where she could run off leash. She was put on a blanket when it was cold.
Now it's summer, so to speak. The heat is good for her. Right now she hardly uses any painkillers. She seems happy and content. We practice nose work as a hobby, as it's a fun activity that can be done without putting a strain on Mini's body. I'm so happy that I can still lie in her arms with Mini at night with a clear conscience.
Mini’s weight is a bit on the high side. I’ve tried to get the vet to explain to her that it might be good for her to lose a little weight. “In these MeToo times, I refuse to comment on a lady’s weight!” he replied. “But I had a corgi myself once – and he really liked cookies too.”
As mentioned, I enjoy Mini's company every day. At the same time, I dread the day when it will truly be time for the final goodbye.
About this week's blogger:
Helene is an early retiree and spends a large part of her time with her animals. The animal team consists of 4 dogs, 1 cat, 15 free-range chickens, approx. 80 aviary birds and her daughter has three axolotls. And now she and Cookie can also call themselves a reading dog team.
She loves writing short stories, poems and stories from her everyday life and enjoys reading a good Scandinavian crime novel.
In addition to Helene and all the animals, the family consists of Birger 55 years old, Thor 12 years old and Sigrid 10 years old.