soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

I'm logging off for today. Care home visit in the morning. I shall be back to catch up once I return home.

As I was spring cleaning the utility room, I saw Bracken hiding behind the chalet. I placed a bowl of food inside the chalet and Rory went outside to greet her. Through the window I noticed that she barely sniffed at the food. I've been bringing in almost every meal left for her, untouched. Rory nuzzled close to her. She barely responded. It was then that I could clearly see that her hind leg was buckling under her weight. MacSporran and I saw that was distressed. What on earth can we do to help. Other than borrowing a cat trap, there is no way we can get her to be seen by the vet.

All the best to both Grace and Sophie. A long time back now, we had, not a greyhound, but a beautiful lurcher, Heidi, the image of her greyhound mum. When she was 14, she started showing signs of slowing down, not enjoying life as she used to, she went to the vet, had an operation on a lump on her nipple, seemed to pick up for a while, but then she was obviously not well, and was ready to go, so shortly before her 15th birthday we had her put to sleep. My youngest son was very unforgiving at the time, he wanted to keep her as long as possible, but we wanted just to be kind to her.

I haven't got pet insurance although I always made sure I got house and buildings insurance. How annoying. However, I saw an advert for boat cleaning! I might do that!Sophie seems very relaxed now but I do feel guilty putting her through fear. My partner's poorly again but at least he COULD tell me what's wrong. He did say he felt "distant",spaced out, maybe. I'm just going to feed the two of them well and give them peace and quiet.

wot Wishing Sophie the help she needs.

Charleyg To drive myself anywhere in London would be a total nightmare. The very thought of it makes me shudder.

corner I've been reading that certain pet owners enjoy a better quality of life. MacSporran totally agrees.

I'm away to spring clean the utility room. Don't ask. I must be mad.

Life's buggerations, charley, they do have a habit or arriving in clusters. No scaffolding will be a huge step forward. Fingers crossed for you.

I'm so much better soop, have no intention of relapsing. Been clearing out clothes today, very therapeutic.

Our pets are so important, we haven't had a dog for some years but I still recall the pain of that final decision making process. Wishing Sophie, Grace and any other poorly pets well.

I have been hinting, well less of a hint and more of a direct assault, that another dog would be lovely. Mr C has an allergy to cats, as does our elder son, so a cat isn't an option. I really must try harder to convince about a dog .

One fellow turned up today, anybody is a bonus. At least the sun is shining- he is doing the re- pointing and with luck the scaffolding can be removed within the next 48 hours and the remainder done on foot or a small ladder.

Not my day, I went to the local council office to discover the road to it was closed due to road works. There has to be another entrance but driving and searching in London is a no- no. I then decided to make an appointment to have my hair cut, washed and blow dried to discover that it is closed temporarily as it is being re-furbished. I gave up after that.

grannysyb I agree that we instinctively know when a pet has had enough. I'm hoping that, for the time being, the precious pets continue to enjoy being well cared for.

wot I shall also Google 'Cushings'. these are for you.

corner Please get better very, very soon. You have been poorly for far too long.

kitty You are a wonderful Granny. You deserve a huge, gold star.

Do you have pet insurance? I recoil at the amount Grace's insurance has gone up over the 8/9 yeas I have had her (£27 then and over £60 per month now ) I also pay the first £130 of any claim and 20% of the cost of treatment and meds.
I often think if I had put the money aside I would be quids in, but then I would have had to have access to lump sums for any emergency treatment or surgery.
I just know if I had not had insurance my first greyhound could not have been treated for his brain tumour as DH had been made redundant nearly 2 years before and was recovering from his transplant. Some people might argue I should not have gone ahead with that, but I think it is the animal's welfare that should decide, not personal finance.
Rock and a hard place!

Thank you. She's so happy to be home again. She couldn't climb into my car so a man had to help me!! They've shaved and taken blood from her neck and her leg. I'm just worried that I won't be able to afford the drugs because I'm only on a state pension. Good job I gave up the cigarettes. She has had a nice chicken dinner and a sleep and now sitting in the garden. The love we have for our animals surpasses everything and every person .(personally speaking)

Big {{hug}} wot I have just googled Cushings and see that it can be treated , (but wish I hadn't , there were so many sad stories! ) There were one or two happy ones however which were reassuring. Good luck to you and to Sophie ?Xx

my heart goes out to anyone with poorly pets and the accompanying worry. for you all.

My post just disappeared. Bloody Fed up now. Sophie is back home, they think she has Cushings but I have to wait a week for results.

Grace hasn't decided yet Maw, so enjoy the time left. (((Hugs))) for anyone with poorly pets.

I've just popped in while 2 DGD are watching Paw Patrol but the peace won't last but I thought I should keep an eye on things in here.

I hope charley is not having too many problems.

Back soon - or at least when the family have gone!

A quiet night and only needing to go out once (Grace, not me!! I got up at least twice ) looks reassuring so we will see how things go. Why is it the weekends which are fraught?
Thinking of Wot and her doggie right now.

MawB Grace enjoys the simple things in life, a gentle walk, walking around the house finding a comfortable spot to lie in the sunshine and snooze for a few hours and a sniff around the garden. She is a beautiful gentle girl and I think is enjoying life in her twilight years. She has had a lovely home.

Thinking of you and Grace too x

Thanks, Maw!!

Glad things have perked up MB

On that basis she is still enjoying quality of life -likes a "treat" and her ears prick up at the rattle of the lead even if the walkie is a gentle10 minute amble round the green,
I suppose I panicked today as she was off her food too (since returned to normal) but previous dogs have decided it for me -1 brain tumour and 1 dropped dead in the kitchen after running in for the garden (Heart attack?)
I always have in the back of my mind that to make 14 is pretty good for a greyhound so interpret "Wobblies" (maybe over interpret)
Anyway, she is happier now so fingers crossed.
Good luck to wot and any body else with poorly pets!

Mawbroon, DH I'd a retired vetband always said to his clients that they would know when it was the right time to say goodbye, and he was right as far as our three dogs were concerned, they all let us know when they'd had enough, but it was still a hard decision to make. I wish you all the very best for your lovely Grace.

It was really just further weakness in the back legs, but that seems to have passed again. As long as she can get up and walk around without pain, I find it hard to make THE decision, but I also don't want it to get to the point where there is real pain as that is unkind to the dog.
See how she is in the morning, the warmer weather ahead may ease things.

So sorry mawb. pleased Gracie is sleeping comfortably. Is it worth talking today's wobbly through with your vet if they know Gracie well? I don't know what to say other than I am so sorry for upset. .

Had another wobbly with Gracie this afternoon. Very tearful as I wondered why I am doing this?
She has recovered again and is sleeping peacefully so not in pain.
Oh what is for the best??

We get field sparrows here, very nervous birds but they come in their dozens, swoop in, grab some food and are gone. Love to watch them.

Finally a beautiful sunny day. Apparently we're in for a dry but cloudy week so we made the most of it. Legs ache but it was a lovely day.

You know soop and charley its only now I am realising the impact of that flipping virus. I was squashed in all sorts of ways. The world was very topsy turvey for many weeks. It's getting the right way up at last.

Hope things work out wot. Your OH sounds to be confusing, wishing you a good outcome tomorrow.

You got a good alarm clock greyduster? Sounds as if it might take more than one. .

I'm holding out hope for you this week charley. There's been some progress and you never know there could be a conclusion.

Back to the mundane tomorrow. Have to re-do our wills. Such fun .