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At about 6:50am this morning my dog started jumping about like a loon in my bedroom, I  kept my eyes tight shut cos I knew if I opened them he would expect me to get up and I was waiting for my alarm to go off at 7am. 

Next thing I know he is peeing outside the bathroom door, I've had this dog for 13 years and he has never once messed in the house.  I shot out of bed and as I did he collapsed at my feet.  He couldn't get up and could only drag himself across the floor.  After quite a lot of coaxing I finally managed to get him downstairs, whereon he walked quite happily outside to finish doing his business.  As I watched him, he was leaning to the left and walking in circles and then collapsing again.

By this stage I was hysterical, screaming at the kids who insisted on giving me a running commentary as I'm trying to drag some clothes on and figure out who I could phone.  Funny how at times like this I actually turn to my ex-husband, he wasn't much use as he was miles away, but just having someone to talk to and calm me down helped me think straight.

I eventually phoned the emergency vets.  I'm surprised she could make head or tail of what I was saying as I was crying so much.  At 9am I took him into the vets and it seems that he has had a stroke.  The vet is quite sure that he will in time make a full recovery but with medication from now on.

It seems that if this had happened to a younger dog or one that didn't have arthritis in the back legs, it would have compensated for/adjusted to the dizziness etc., caused by the stroke, but as Murphy is weak with arthritis in his left side it made it worse.

Murph, is 17 years old, and I know that his time is nearly up, and I know that I will have to face it soon, this morning gave me a taste of what is to come.  He's at home on his own at the moment, vet advised it would be better than him struggling to follow me around, but I just wish I could phone him up and ask him if he is ok.

I don't know why I'm telling you all this, I guess I just needed to.

Trace
xx

Sorry to hear about Murph and I hope he recovers soon :)

Trace, Please don't let him linger too long. Vets have their own interests at heart.

I know it's tough, But please remember, animals have no concept of death, but they do feel pain and they can't tell you how much it hurts.

It's such a shame to spoil a long, happy life by allowing his last few weeks to be filled with misery. Steel yourself, when the time comes, don't hesitate, grant him that final act of kindness.

My thoughts are with you, be strong, Tom xx

Oh dear, I do hope he recovers fully Trace.

But please be brave for him too.

My Charlie fell very ill, &, in that case, though I hope not in Murphys case, there was no way back, so I did the decent thing - it's the kindest way.

I do hope he recovers fully though.

xx

This is so upsetting. If I told you I was reduced to tears, you'd laugh, but it's true.

We are thinking of you Trace, I know just how difficult this my be for you.

I was a bit blunt in my reply Trace, please don't hate me for it. I am perhaps the biggest dog lover on this site.

I didn't mean to come across as insensitive, really do feel for you.

Really sorry to hear that Trace.

Don't let anyone give you any nonsense about 'only an animal' either. A pet is a member of the familly & the illness or loss of a member of the familly is heartbreaking. You have every right to get upset.

I'm going to give Jade (my folks' dalmation) extra attention tonight & won't even complain when she sheds on me.

Decent and kind yes - but doing it was the hardest decision i've ever had to make in the 32 years living on this planet, and one i'll never forget as like you the memory always brings a tear to the eye.

Fingers crossed things look better for him soon

really sorry Trace - its horrible when your family is ill and especially when they can't tell you about it.  Hope everything is ok

Tracey xx

Same here Matt, same here. But we did the right thing, we did.

We all hope Murphy recovers fully, we do. But whatever happens, we will be strong for Trace, & Trace wil be strong for Murphy.

xx

hope murph recovers trace and you and your children spend many more happy times with him

I hope Murphy recovers well Trace. It certainly is one of those difficult decisions we face in life. You will know when the time is right. Take care.

I agree

Thinking of you today Trace.

Aww thanks guys.

I'm welling up again just reading these.

Tom, I will be brave and I will do what has to be done when the time is right, but I know he isn't in pain, I can see that in his eyes - he's just frightened and confused at the moment.  I knew you weren't being hard or anything, I understand EXACTLY where you are coming from.

The vet that looked at him today had to euthanise her Labrador on Sunday and he had been on the meds Murph is going to be on for two years, she said she walked downstairs on the Sunday morning and knew as soon as he looked at her that the time had come - she was getting upset herself which set me off.

Despite the glorious weather, it's turning out to be a wet day for me.

Tikay I'm sorry for making you cry, if it's any consolation, I'm sat in the office fighting more back for you.

After my kids, I love Murphy more than anything else in the world, always have and always will.

Thanks all so much for your kind kind words.

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Thanks for the pic Trace, he is lovely.

How is he today?

hi trace

hope everything is ok and dont give up on the old chap yet. he could live years more and like rod says , he is a member of the family. i could never tell the vet to end it. i dont think i could although ive never been in that situation. the main thing is that he is okay now and still capable of giving and recieving lots of love and attention.
hope your day brightens up

mad x

Sad to hear Trace .  I hope everything works out ok .  Best of luck

Hope he makes a speedy recovery Trace. We had a similar nasty suprise yesterday when we found our cat pretty much collapsed after a cat fight. 4 inch puncture wound in her side which had already become septic and filled her chest up with gas. £500 later and she's making a quick recovery! Fingers crossed for Murph!

OMG Lukie - how awful.  I hope he/she makes a full recovery.

Tikay et al
He is a lot brighter today, still a bit wobbly and quiet.  I don't think this heat is helping much though.  I took him back to the vets this morning, and she was quite happy with his progress.  She gave him two more injections and tablets for ten days, in which time she expects he will be back to his normal self.  I had to laugh when I went to pay, he has cost me £100 in the past two days and I told him as much with jokey disgust, at which point he flopped onto the floor with a big sigh and looked at me as if to say "but mum I'm poorly and I needed it!".  The vets' assistant was in stitches.

He gave me one almighty fright yesterday and hopefully now he will be ok. 

Thanks EVERYONE for your kind words and concern and support.  It's good to know there is someone here for me when I needed it most.

Trace and Murph
xxxxx

Hope he has a speedy recovery Trace.  Its awful when your pets are ill.
I had to have a cat put down because it had eaten poison on a neighbours garden, and
it gave my cat kidney failure but itwas the hardest thing I ever had to do, cryed for a week ;(

Get better Murph!

mel

did the neighbour say sorry about the poison? was the poison intended for cats? if so its shocking

mad

nope neighbours were gits about it, poison was down for foxes and they didn't care a toss
i was heartbroken he was one of the sweetest cats i ever had, called him rambo cos always getting into fights but he was a bruiser always won and he was only 2 when it happened ;(

shop the to the RSPCA ;tk;

Murph is a legend, a really nice dog!

Trace when i was living with my Dad in England we have a great big wolfhound, he always struggled with the heat which wasn't great for him. When we moved to Cyprus it obviously got worse for him, what we did was shaved him at the start of the summer which kept him so much cooler! These days he is fine even in the Cyprus summer heat, it may be an idea with Murph aswell. You will bve suprised with the diffrence this makes to a dog's mobility. Less strain on him has to help.

My aunt's dog has had 3 strokes, its such a sad sight and you feel so helpless, she is still alive today at 17 and doing good, I took her swimming last week. I do hope you have lots more time to spend with your baby. Best wishes.

I can't do it to him Flushy, Dave kept threatening to do it for 8 years and he was threatened on more than one occasion with losing more than his hair if he touched my dog with clippers!  lol

The noise of the clippers would stress him out too much, he has a fit when I put the hairdryer on.  And if I decide to electric shave my legs - my God he runs.  His mobility is hindered by his arthritis more than anything.

I never realised you liked my pooch that much!  lol   I thought you shared Dave's views on him.


Thanks for this Patriot.  I must say I'm not too keen on the idea of him having anymore strokes, this one was awful, to see him so bug-eyed and leaning to the left freaked me out no end.  He's started jumping around like a puppy again already, only thing is he keeps falling over, bless him.  Rather than panic now though, I just say ooopsadaisy and leave him to get up on his own, if I try to help he panics.



I can't believe how supportive all of you have been - I know a lot of you are animal lovers, but this support beggars belief.  Thanks all EVER so much.

xxxxxxx

Dave likes him too Trace, lol. You are just too easy to windup!

It's probably something you should ask the vet about though, they can do it for you.

You are welcome Trace... I am aware that should it occur again it won't be a pretty sight, but remember all is far from lost. To live to his current age he has a certaintly got a strong character and I am sure this setback wont make him leave this world yet. Once you continue to show your love, I am sure he will remain with you until he can no more. Unless you are %100 certain he is suffering from pain, only then can you make the dreaded decision, but I believe and deeply hope that it won't be for another couple of years. Whatever the outcome(although very diffcult to except) he has lived a long life,as you well know, there are many animals who are deprived of the affection and home you have given to yours, a lot have little chance of living a few years but to the abuse and neglect they receive. Be very grateful and honoured when the time comes and remember that although he is gone, he will remain in your thoughts and deep in your heart for eternity. Keep going boy!!! Marty.

Good luck Murph.
I am going to mass tomorrow morning and I'll light a candle for him.

 Td Th

Awww thank you Tinsel - what a lovely thing to do.

Trace
xx

Candle lit!


 Td Th