Miko's Health (updates and more)

Forgot to mention the pain and if he's suffering.

She said he has kidney pain and that's what hurts. But she said he's dealing with it and not "suffering". With him being stoic though, it could be a lot of pain, yikes, I hope not. She didn't say he had major pains anywhere.

She did say his joints are achy and that's why I need to keep him warm. Warm means less achy joints. It's why he likes lying on me and is able to sleep for longer periods of time.

So at least we know (if you believe) that he's not suffering. There are things I can do to help alleviate the pain and allow him to sleep better. The kidney pain, not much you can do about that.
 
I agree that it is very fascinating. Having had to help 3 shelties pass over the bridge I've always know when it was time by the pleading look in their eyes. It was like they were saying it's okay I'm ready to go, please help me. It broke my heart every time but I always felt it was the right time. I'm sure you'll know too. Blessings to you and Miko.
 
I'm going to be crying as I type this, but when the time does come, assure him that it's OK for him to go. My sister, my daughter, and I were in the hospital room with my 91 year-old mother when she passed away. It was getting obvious that the time was near, but she was having trouble letting go.

My sister went over and sat by her, patted her hand, and assured her that we loved her and that it was OK for her to graduate from this life (she'd taught for over 30 years) and move on to the next step in her life. Very shortly after that -- within 5 minutes -- she took her last breath, gave a little sigh, and left us.

I'm sure it helps our beloved animals to know that we realize that it's their time to go too, and that while we'll miss them, we give them permission to cross over to the Rainbow Bridge where they won't be in pain any long.

Hopefully Miko will have lots more good days to spend with you before the time comes to let him go peacefully.
 
bi-blacks said:
I agree that it is very fascinating. Having had to help 3 shelties pass over the bridge I've always know when it was time by the pleading look in their eyes. It was like they were saying it's okay I'm ready to go, please help me. It broke my heart every time but I always felt it was the right time. I'm sure you'll know too. Blessings to you and Miko.
Click to expand...

Oh man. I think a pleading look will break my heart too. And I hope I'll be able to read him. Otherwise, I'm going to feel like poop.
 
ute_fan said:
I'm going to be crying as I type this, but when the time does come, assure him that it's OK for him to go. My sister, my daughter, and I were in the hospital room with my 91 year-old mother when she passed away. It was getting obvious that the time was near, but she was having trouble letting go.

My sister went over and sat by her, patted her hand, and assured her that we loved her and that it was OK for her to graduate from this life (she'd taught for over 30 years) and move on to the next step in her life. Very shortly after that -- within 5 minutes -- she took her last breath, gave a little sigh, and left us.

I'm sure it helps our beloved animals to know that we realize that it's their time to go too, and that while we'll miss them, we give them permission to cross over to the Rainbow Bridge where they won't be in pain any long.

Hopefully Miko will have lots more good days to spend with you before the time comes to let him go peacefully.
Click to expand...

I totally understand. I told my dad the same thing, that it was okay to go. He fought a battle and lost, but he didn't need to fight anymore. That's how I feel about Miko. When he's ready, I won't keep him here, I want him to be pain free and back to his puppy self. :)
 
Cheryl, have you thought about a heating pad for Miko? These are great and made for pets. You can put it under or inside his bed. We use these for puppies in the whelping box. It has two heated sides, one warmer than the other so you can find what he's most comfortable with.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VPA7B0/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you want something smaller, I also have one of these discs and I love it. It stays hot for hours, although it does cool off eventually. You just heat it in the microwave. It's cheaper than the heating pad.
http://www.amazon.com/Snuggle-Safe-...d=1383693147&sr=1-1&keywords=pet+heating+disc
 
Ann said:
Cheryl, have you thought about a heating pad for Miko? These are great and made for pets. You can put it under or inside his bed. We use these for puppies in the whelping box. It has two heated sides, one warmer than the other so you can find what he's most comfortable with.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VPA7B0/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you want something smaller, I also have one of these discs and I love it. It stays hot for hours, although it does cool off eventually. You just heat it in the microwave. It's cheaper than the heating pad.
http://www.amazon.com/Snuggle-Safe-...d=1383693147&sr=1-1&keywords=pet+heating+disc
Click to expand...

I would use one if Miko slept in one place or in a bed. No worries, I put down my electric blanket on the ground under some towels. So it covers the entire area where he sleeps. It seemed to do the trick, but we'll see how it works tonight. Then when I get the down blanket, that will help too.

Thanks for the suggestions though. It would be easier if he stayed put. He hasn't slept in a bed for over a year.
 
k9kreationz said:
In case anyone is interested. Here's what she said.

She told me he's not ready to go. He's just having some bad days. But she did say, it's soon, maybe a couple of months. But he'll let me know when. I guess he wants to pass at home, but that I'll probably have to do it.

She said he does have pain, but it's kidney pain. His joints are achy, but not super painful. I asked about him sleeping through the night. She told me he's cold and achy. So I am supposed to go buy him a down blanket to sleep on. Jeez, talk about spoiled. I may try and see if he'll sleep in my bed next to me, not on me. I worry that he'll get up, I won't notice, and he'll fall off. We'll see. He has been sleeping better when I hold him.....and with his Back on Track jacket.

OMG. She said he wants steak and eggs. What in the world? I laughed. I used to give him steak for his birthday meal. Maybe I'll give him some, just to add to his meals. We talked in length about what to try to get him to eat more again. I guess his stomach isn't feeling very well, that's why he's not eating. He's been eating about 1/3 of his meal. :( She told me Miko's last meal could be steak and eggs if I'm not up to giving it to him now, since I told her I don't want to shut down his kidney's, but will see how bad it is for him (if I give it to him now, versus later).

We talked about Koji a bit. She asked me if he has been ignoring Miko. I said he has and I've been wondering why. I guess Miko is telling Koji what he needs to do after he goes and Koji is starting to stress out. She told me dogs "pass" down jobs. Oh, and Koji is feeling iffy about getting another dog, as he wants all the attention (no surprise there). So she said, if every time you passed someone, they said, "btw, you have to...." after awhile you'd start to ignore them too. I guess that's what Miko is doing to Koji, hehe.

She also said there's a dog (spirit) that has been visiting. She asked me if I had a small black dog before. I did. I had a Yorkie. She said dogs that people have had or known, tend to visit a lot more when it's getting closer to that time. So when they go over, someone brings them over and they feel comfortable with them. I like the thought of that. She said it happens with people too, it's why older people start to say they see their deceased spouse more often (I know that happened with my Grandma a lot). Regardless if you believe, I just thought it was interesting.

Anyhow, that was my reading. So, my goal is to get Miko's stomach settled so he'll eat again, maybe change up his food a bit, and keep him warm. I kept feeling like this year Christmas/NY is going to suck, now I kinda know why. If he's still doing well by NYE, I don't think I'm going to be able to go home. I'll never forgive myself if something happens while I'm gone. Seriously kinda glad I don't have a job. Maybe it all worked out this way for a reason.

This makes me feel better. I didn't think he was ready, but it confirmed my thoughts. She said he knows he's close, but he'll let me know. Hopefully, I'll know when he tells me. Time to go get some things for Miko.
Click to expand...

I say give him whatever he will eat! If steak and eggs, then go for it.


For his achy joints, consider putting his bed on top of one of your air vents. the heat will go directly to the bed and to his bones. Yes....you will block one of your vents, but you can bundle up with extra blankets at night if necessary. Just a thought.

And hugs to you both.....I'm so sorry!
 
BarbV said:
I say give him whatever he will eat! If steak and eggs, then go for it.


For his achy joints, consider putting his bed on top of one of your air vents. the heat will go directly to the bed and to his bones. Yes....you will block one of your vents, but you can bundle up with extra blankets at night if necessary. Just a thought.

And hugs to you both.....I'm so sorry!
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly (previous thread) she has baseboard heaters instead of vents of the floor. Which by the way, both of those types of vents are very uncommon in Texas, or at least Houston. Our vents are on the ceiling..
 
k9kreationz said:
I should just turn the heat on. It's usually about 62-64 inside. Brrr. Who knows how cold it is on the carpeted floor. Probably colder.
Click to expand...

I would definitely turn the heat up. I'm cold natured, so we keep it about 73-75 inside and sometimes I still have to put on a fleece blanket or sweater to keep warm. I'd be MISERABLE at your house:o, so I do recommend bumping it up a few degrees if Miko is anything like me (you don't have to go up 10 degrees, maybe just 5 or maybe a little more)

Jess041 said:
If I remember correctly (previous thread) she has baseboard heaters instead of vents of the floor. Which by the way, both of those types of vents are very uncommon in Texas, or at least Houston. Our vents are on the ceiling..
Click to expand...

Same here. I very rarely see floor vents in Texas, why, I don't know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top