Hope for Harry

[ranger]

Oh Carol I am so sorry to read this, through your stories I feel like I know Harry.  I know it is going to be hard to say goodbye to such an amazing dog.

Judy

[kaffe]

  Oh Harry...  my heart is in my throat

[Nabiya]

Carol, I'm so sorry to hear this and want you to know that you and Harry are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.  It's such a difficult decision for all of us, and I'm always now thinking in hindsight what I should have done with my 4 furkids that passed in the last two and a half years.  I have to admit, I have a lot of guilt now knowing that they all passed on irregardless of what I was doing for them at the time and should have eased their pain earlier.

On the Yahoo CRF group I belong to, for the past week or so the topic of euthanasia and how does one know when it's time has been a top topic being discussed with hundreds of posts from around the world.  So many are posting about the same guilt I now feel.  On the other hand, there are plenty of posts to the contrary, that members waited and the furkids did live longer with a good quality of life still and they are grateful they made that choice.

I walk away from this all thinking there is no one right answer, that guilt is a part of human nature and that no matter what decision is made we all have the burden of living on with our decisions.

The one common thread amongst the posters on the Yahoo group is that the support from other posters during this time we all face with our kids, is of utmost importance in their lives and I know you feel that way about Itchmo as we all share your grief.

[Laurie]

  Carol I do not know what to say other than I am so sorry......

[kittylyda]

Carol, I am so sorry to hear that Harry is unwell and can't hold down his food.  I think you are right--if he is not able to enjoy anything in life, not even his food, it may time for him to go.    I am so upset right now.  I feel as if I know Harry so well from all of your wonderful stories and photos.  I'm sure you will know by Saturday if there is any improvement.  Trust your instincts and Harry's.  He may let you know himself when he is ready.

[mgt]

Carol, I am so sorry for what you are going through, please know that I am going through this with you in spirit my dear friend, just like all us are here on this forum....    Very personal decisions...  never ever easy, never ever going to be...  I think deep inside you may be able to listen to them... hear what they say...  I do feel that we have such a close bond with out babies that they talk to us just not how we communicate.... maybe a look, maybe a feeling, maybe a picture...  I can say that looking back when my baby fell ill, I had a strong feeling that was so very much reinforced when I looked at him that my baby wanted to stay... he didn't want to leave...  I know this 100% without a doubt...  so letting him go was out of the question for me as I wanted to honor him.  I think you should ask him...  ask him in thought, in voice, and ask him to tell you...  then listen with all of your heart...  be observant... He knows and feels your love...  he loves you unconditionally in return, you will forever have and find that bond... Love... the golden thread.  May God be with you I am forever greatful for finding your friendship!!!  You and Harry are close to my heart!!!

[3catkidneyfailure]

I can't improve on the other comments, Carol. Just know there are so many
who have followed your journal and your time with Harry, and never did we love
you more than now.

[Orange Fuzzball]

I am so sorry to hear this, Carol. I know you knew it was coming, but there's just no way to be prepared for this. 

My thoughts are with you and Mike and Harry and Lucy.

[JanC]

Carol.......

I am so sorry to hear that Harry is not doing very well.  My heart breaks for you & your family.

If there's anything I can do, please let me know.  We are all here for you if you need us.

Like I told you before, my Sasha will be waiting there to greet Harry.  I just know they'll be the best of friends.

Hugs......

[mainecoonpeg]

Carol,

Harry, Lucy, Smudge, Angel Jessica, you and Mike all belong to us because of the "tails" you let us all share in.  I thank you for allowing me and the rest of the Itchmo gang to be a part of your family.  

Every moment spent with Harry and the gang no matter how good or bad is etched into your hearts and your minds.  You shared the good and the bad with us too.

My prayer for you and your family is to have incredible strength at this difficult time.
You have each other and your have all of us.

Please give Harry a kiss on the head from me and thank you for allowing me to love him too.
Peg  

[Carol]

Last night before we went to bed---I read what you all wrote to us to my husband.  He and I were crying together.  But in this I am only reinforced and feel that we will get through this.

Harry had another bad nite---he has only eaten a little pizza crust in the last couple days and this am we are thinking we may not be able to wait until saturday--(our appt is at noon)--I will see how he does today.  Both of my kids can be with us on saturday.  We will leave Lucy home which stresses me a little as she always goes with Harry for rides.  Even when I was taking Harry for his radiation, she would go along.  I took the car then as it was 80 miles away but they found room in the back seat--usually Harry had his chin on the console between the front seats-with a pillow and then Lucy would lay having her head across his back.  She has been leaving him alone and last nite she laid next to him on the floor but Harry got up and moved---he didn't want her so close to him.  It is the little signs like this that do tell me he is tired of feeling punky.  Especially the eating---as he is a male golden retriever---eating should the number one pasttime!  That was when we knew it was time for Barkley--he stopped eating.

I woke up earlier than normal to my neighbor saying to Mike--did you see that? and for the second year in a row a mother and father canadian goose were walking their 6 babies down the road to the river at the bottom of our hill-Mike was vidotaping them.  It dawned on me that I remember seeing it last year--and being quite sad about Smudge at that point--and I realized that most likely next year we will see them again no matter what happens here in the next few days--and they told me that we will get through this---just as others go through sadness--as life goes on--- It just changes---not necessarily to what we wnat --but it is not a choice---we will get through this and all of us here will get through our hard times--especially since we are here for each other.

The geese make a nest in what we call the "bog"--it's not a cranberry bog---it's more a frog lilypad bog--it is up our road and is where Mike always takes Harry and Lucy for a walk.  It was at this bog that Harry vs. the crayfish happened.  He have this on video and if I ever get that savvy to be able to put it on you-tube or whatever that place is--I will---this huge crayfish was almost 3 inches tall and stood up on his back legs and starting flailing his front little claws at Harry---well--at 105 pounds heavier than the crayfish one would have thought Harry would be the victor--but no the crayfish won and Harry ran off with his tail between his legs!  No one that knows Harry well was surprised!   I love my chicken dog--and because of his quirky, cowardly ways--he is so animated so it is so easy describing him.  He is just like the cowardly lion from the the Wizard of Oz---

If Harry could type he probably would tell you all that he feels your love and concern for him and knows that all of you sending good wishes helps to get me through the day  in turn helps Harry get through the day!

[catmom5]

I just read your update after being gone all day yesterday and then not being able to get on.

Oh Carol, my heart is breaking for you and Harry and your family. This has been such a difficult year for you, but you're right . . . we will survive our struggles and hopefully come out stronger because of them.

I wish I had words to take away the pain you are feeling right now, but I don't. Just know that, whatever decision you make, will be done out of love for Harry and  that means it will be the right one. And we will all be here for you for whatever you need from us.

Give sweet Harry a smooch from me and tell him that he has a lot of people who love him. Lucy probably needs a smooch, too.

Blessings
catmom5

[JustMe]

Carol,

I am so very sorry about Harry.

My prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

{{{{{hugs}}}}

JustMe

[5CatMom]

Carol,

Much love to you and your family during this difficult time. 



5CatMom
₌^..^₌

[ranger]

((((((Carol))))))) Again I am so sorry your entire family will be in my thoughts. Stay strong for Harry and the girls Lucy & Smudge.

Judy