GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
Dear Friends
You might have noticed that Max's blog has undergone a 'small' facelift. I would like to say a big "THANK YOU" to
"Scout & Freyja's" Momma at
"Loving for a living" for helping me out so graciously with the little things on this blog with which I struggle. She is an amazing lady who dispenses kindness by the bucket! It never fails to amaze me how our cyber-friends become such a real and practical help to us all in our daily lives. Thank you so much, dear friend!
---xXx---
Here is a question for us to consider today:...
'HOW LONG CAN A HUMAN BEING STAND BEFORE THEY GO TO SLEEP?"
Well, I could ask the same question about my MAXI-DOGGIE!
How long can a DOG stand before he goes to sleep?
MAXDOG seems determined to make the most of his life whilst living with an almost non-existent liver!
This journey is such an incredible one! Max is on his 19th day of grace today!
Yes, it is TRULY grace!
His outward appearance seems normal except for the tell-tale abdominal extension and his persistent sleepiness (although I think that is largely medically induced). He is eating normally, his stools are normal, his temperature is normal, his heart rate is normal, his lungs are normal but he is anything but healthy. He is a very sick poochie!
I took him to our GP vet yesterday because he has an ear infection and I wanted to get him some medication to assist with this. I also wanted to find out his status-quo.
It was a very strange experience to see the Veterinary staff's surprised faces when we arrived. Coupled with this was their knowing expressions. I knew they were thinking that I was there to euthanase my dog. BUT it isn't time yet and I quickly told them that Max is doing well!!!
Obviously they are really happy to see Max. Our Vet examined Max thoroughly. All his vitals are okay except that his abdomen is more significantly distended. Our vet suspects that the liver mass has grown significantly and now extends well into the abdominal cavity. Despite this expected news, I have an uncanny sense of euphoria - Max is defying expectations! The general Veterinary opinion is that he should have already left us. He is on borrowed time!
So I celebrate these gifted days but at the same time I am trying to help pave his way for an easy journey. He is so beautiful in the way he is handling this illness. He is still totally a dog - sniffing, assessing, enjoying, playing and living by the moment. He is none the wiser about the journey ahead except that I am sure he is aware that he isn't well. I know that he will be leaving us soon. I have accepted it. I will be sad, but I will move on...eventually.
Yesterday afternoon, we all went out again in the cool afternoon to simply sit on the lawn and be together. Here are some photos, which I believe display Max's dignity in both life and his eventual death...
If you look at the sequence of photographs carefully, I am positive that the "Behaviourist" in you will appreciate what I am conveying...
All I can say is that
TAMMY too is quite incredible in the way she is dealing with this situation of
MAX's deterioration! I am not the only one he has to say goodbye to..
---xXx---
PLEASE forgive me if I haven't been around to your blogs lately as much as I would like to. Things are a bit hectic here at the moment. I would also like to welcome both old and new readers! You are all important to me and it is becoming impossible for me to visit everyone at the moment.
Please bare with me.
With love
"C"
Dear friends
