@monicakm wrote:Oh @qvcaddition, I am so SO sorry your sweet Melanie won't be celebrating her 18th Christmas with you
I know it will be hard.
We still don't have a Christmas tree up. Since none of the Christmas activities will be at our house and I'm worthless with a broken back, I was hoping we wouldn't go to the trouble. DH is currently in the den putting the tree up. He's doing it for Howie. Howie sleeps under the tree every year.
I hope the signs are clear enough for me to know when it's time with no question. I did not know the vet would come to the house to let them go in their own surroundings. That is wonderful! I will ask around about this. I'm sure it's costly but it would be worth it. Thanks for telling me about that service.
Today, the Vet brought Melanie's Ashes to me personally in a beautiful wooden box with her name on the box, and they put to the best dog. So we will be together for Christmas in spirit. The last few years it has been just her and me at Christmas. I miss her tearing open her gifts, but glad they made it in time for her here.
My son gave me a beautiful necklace for Christmas to put her ashes. I also have a heart with her fur in it on my wrist. People might think I have gone overboard, but she has been, except for this son the only one in family with me.
Now, I had called a vet to come to the house, but she wanted $860.00. I could not afford that. Today you need to take out a loan to go to the Vet here in CAl.
I called the lady who handles a program called, Silver Paws, for low income seniors. She is associated with our Shelter. Well, they pay for the euthanasia, but if you want seperate ashes, your dog, that cost 160.00.
My neighbor happen to be at my house when they came and she said, I will pay for it. I could not believe someone would be that kind. She insisted and said, I want to do this for you and Melanie. I cannot begin to tell you what kindness I have experience.
The reason the Vet came to my home is she believes an animal should be in their own suroundings at this time. Also, I had mentioned when I talk to the lady at the shelter and asked if the first shot could be done in the car
because Melanie shakes when we go to the shelter just for her license.
She said, let me ask the Vet if she will go to your house. The Vet said, of course. Oh, what a blessing.
Over the years, Silver Paws has helped with Vet bills. Vists and Lab bills for Seniors below a certain income. So with the terrible sadness, all these kind hearted people were there for Melanie and me. Now, she is home. I certainly will make a donation whenever I am able.
I also am going to volunteer for where ever they can use me.Though old, still very spry.
People had said to me, You will know when it is time. It's true. One day, you think, maybe I'm not sure, but then it happens, they let you know. I can't explain it, didn't make sense when I was told this, but Howie will let you know. I hope he will be with you for awhile more.
I am so sorry you are not feeling well at this time. Howie will be happy your husband is putting up the tree. Needless to say, enjoy every single day with day with Howie.and your husband. God has blessed me with wonderful people in my life.
@monicakm wrote:Oh @qvcaddition, I am so SO sorry your sweet Melanie won't be celebrating her 18th Christmas with you
We still don't have a Christmas tree up. Since none of the Christmas activities will be at our house and I'm worthless with a broken back, I was hoping we wouldn't go to the trouble. DH is currently in the den putting the tree up. He's doing it for Howie. Howie sleeps under the tree every year.
I hope the signs are clear enough for me to know when it's time with no question. I did not know the vet would come to the house to let them go in their own surroundings. That is wonderful! I will ask around about this. I'm sure it's costly but it would be worth it. Thanks for telling me about that service.
~~~~~
As with @monicakm 's appreciation - Thank you for letting me/us know of the possibility of Vet Home Visit Service, hopefully offered here, for that final, tortured passing of our beloved, furry friends.
Am personally dealing with so much, so much new, & so many changes, so fast!! (many surprises, many beyond my control), it feels like! And indeed it's UNnerving! I've always been, tried to be, a "be prepared" kinda person!
To a very, very limited degree during the prior warmer months, I was able to get out, but I can't seem to get out now, during these cold months!! grrrrr .. and I worry, a lot, about this, esp if/when my 'ole "Sweetie" here might need that final, fateful decision.
I hate, hate, hate 
that specific particular time/event in their/our lives!! But always seem to "do the right thing." 
Am going to call around and advance seek Vet Home Health possibilities for that final, fateful decision, should it seemingly inevitably come.
Based on my own deteriorating health then, eons ago, I broke my own then rule, & I rescued just 1 more - - "Sweetie" from a deemed historically animal/pet compromising neighbor/household. And I've lovingly bellied up to, been devoted to "Sweetie's" lifetime of the very best care, & luv'n that I can, & I have been giving to all, my many, many numerous, ever luv'n babies! 
In closing, I confess: 
A part of me looks so, sooo forward to be surrounded by, & saturated with **alllll** that furry luv'n, again, concurrently!! .. at, & when my own time comes. 
What an uplifting story @qvcaddition. So many blessings for you during this difficult time. Howie also shakes when he figures out he's on the way to the vet. He didn't used to but he had a couple of bad experiences. We have to muzzle him now That's why I want him in his own home when the time comes.
@qvcaddition wrote:
@monicakm wrote:Oh @qvcaddition, I am so SO sorry your sweet Melanie won't be celebrating her 18th Christmas with you
We still don't have a Christmas tree up. Since none of the Christmas activities will be at our house and I'm worthless with a broken back, I was hoping we wouldn't go to the trouble. DH is currently in the den putting the tree up. He's doing it for Howie. Howie sleeps under the tree every year.
I hope the signs are clear enough for me to know when it's time with no question. I did not know the vet would come to the house to let them go in their own surroundings. That is wonderful! I will ask around about this. I'm sure it's costly but it would be worth it. Thanks for telling me about that service.
Today, the Vet brought Melanie's Ashes to me personally in a beautiful wooden box with her name on the box, and they put to the best dog. So we will be together for Christmas in spirit. The last few years it has been just her and me at Christmas. I miss her tearing open her gifts, but glad they made it in time for her here.
My son gave me a beautiful necklace for Christmas to put her ashes. I also have a heart with her fur in it on my wrist. People might think I have gone overboard, but she has been, except for this son the only one in family with me.
Now, I had called a vet to come to the house, but she wanted $860.00. I could not afford that. Today you need to take out a loan to go to the Vet here in CAl.
I called the lady who handles a program called, Silver Paws, for low income seniors. She is associated with our Shelter. Well, they pay for the euthanasia, but if you want seperate ashes, your dog, that cost 160.00.
My neighbor happen to be at my house when they came and she said, I will pay for it. I could not believe someone would be that kind. She insisted and said, I want to do this for you and Melanie. I cannot begin to tell you what kindness I have experience.
The reason the Vet came to my home is she believes an animal should be in their own suroundings at this time. Also, I had mentioned when I talk to the lady at the shelter and asked if the first shot could be done in the car
because Melanie shakes when we go to the shelter just for her license.
She said, let me ask the Vet if she will go to your house. The Vet said, of course. Oh, what a blessing.
Over the years, Silver Paws has helped with Vet bills. Vists and Lab bills for Seniors below a certain income. So with the terrible sadness, all these kind hearted people were there for Melanie and me. Now, she is home. I certainly will make a donation whenever I am able.
I also am going to volunteer for where ever they can use me.Though old, still very spry.
People had said to me, You will know when it is time. It's true. One day, you think, maybe I'm not sure, but then it happens, they let you know. I can't explain it, didn't make sense when I was told this, but Howie will let you know. I hope he will be with you for awhile more.
I am so sorry you are not feeling well at this time. Howie will be happy your husband is putting up the tree. Needless to say, enjoy every single day with day with Howie.and your husband. God has blessed me with wonderful people in my life.
@qvcaddition - What kindness others have shown you for Melanie. Reading your post brings tears to my eyes. So very sorry for your loss - and you're right, Melanie is with you in spirit. You will see her one day again.
Volunteering is a great gift that you can provide. I hope you're able to do so in the coming new year.
@monicakm wrote:Thank you @beach-mom
He's on meds for his hips. He sits down very slowly
When we lived out in the country near Winnsboro, I had a little black and tan dachsund. We got her as a puppy and as she got up in years (about 12) , one day while I was at work, my husband had her outside with him, even though this was in February and it was quite cold. He got busy and forgot about her - and, oh yeah, did I mention that she was deaf and blind? So,she wandered off into the pasture. He called me to let me know and I went straight home to help look for her.
We searched our acreage and crossed fences into the adjoining pastures until dark that day. After 3 more days of looking, I decided she had probably been taken by a coyote. I was just a basket case.
Well, 2 days later, as I was driving up the highway we lived on headed to work, I noticed a black spot way off in my neighbor's pasture. I pulled onto the roadside to stop to get a better look and that black spot moved. I just knew it had to be her. I got out of the car and went over that barbed wire fence like I was some kind of athlete.
I picked her up and took her to the vet. They kept her on IV's for 2 days. We determined that she had somehow gotten herself into an old falling down barn that was on this property and being blind, could not find her way out. It's just a miracle she did get out and that I happened to come along that morning at the right time to notice her. She had gone without food and water for almost a week and temperatures had gotten pretty low at night.
That ordeal really took a lot out of her - we lost her 6 months later.
