charlyan
Well-Known Member
Some of you may remember me posting about my dog Oscar, who's long term heart murmur started to progress into heart failure in January of this year. Unfortunately at 3.45am this morning he gave up his fight on life and passed peacefully in my arms.
Whilst responding well to treatment initially, we had to gradually up the doses of his drugs and although he had good and bad days, he usually bounced back to full life, although we knew it was only a matter of time.
Unfortunately he started to worsen about a week and a half ago, weakening daily and only eating the bare minimum. Despite the best efforts of our fantastic vet, we were told on Saturday at Oscar's last check up to take him home and spoil him as his heart was now struggling.
I spent a good part of Monday and yesterday, sitting on the floor with him, just speaking to him and stroking him while he rested. Yesterday he was very very weak and depressed but would still struggle to his feet to follow me whenever I left the room and still managed a wee play with a tennis ball in the afternoon (I would roll it to him and he would pick it up then nudge it back to me with his nose from where he was lying).
Last night about half eight, his legs buckled and he had to be carried to bed. I got up every other hour to check on him (I actually prayed for him to go last night, although I'm not religious but I knew he was ready) and just after half three in the morning, i was aware that his breathing was getting weaker so I got down beside him and spoke to him as he slipped away.
He never left me in any doubt, from the day I first met him as a 6 week old puppy and he grabbed hold of my thumb that I was his human and that never changed in eleven and a half years. A more loyal, faithful and loving dog, you could not hope to find.
He will be buried this afternoon, next to his full brother (litter mate) Charlie who died seven years ago this past Monday, the 23rd. I'm sure Charlie will be looking after him now.
We still have his 6 year old half sister, Charlyan, who is feeling very lost and confused today.
RIP Oscar 21st June 1997- 25th March 2009
Oscar on the right, with his brother Charlie, at one year old
In the snow last month, doing his own thing
Sorry, this has turned into a much longer post than I intended it to. Here's to a much loved and respected friend x
Whilst responding well to treatment initially, we had to gradually up the doses of his drugs and although he had good and bad days, he usually bounced back to full life, although we knew it was only a matter of time.
Unfortunately he started to worsen about a week and a half ago, weakening daily and only eating the bare minimum. Despite the best efforts of our fantastic vet, we were told on Saturday at Oscar's last check up to take him home and spoil him as his heart was now struggling.
I spent a good part of Monday and yesterday, sitting on the floor with him, just speaking to him and stroking him while he rested. Yesterday he was very very weak and depressed but would still struggle to his feet to follow me whenever I left the room and still managed a wee play with a tennis ball in the afternoon (I would roll it to him and he would pick it up then nudge it back to me with his nose from where he was lying).
Last night about half eight, his legs buckled and he had to be carried to bed. I got up every other hour to check on him (I actually prayed for him to go last night, although I'm not religious but I knew he was ready) and just after half three in the morning, i was aware that his breathing was getting weaker so I got down beside him and spoke to him as he slipped away.
He never left me in any doubt, from the day I first met him as a 6 week old puppy and he grabbed hold of my thumb that I was his human and that never changed in eleven and a half years. A more loyal, faithful and loving dog, you could not hope to find.
He will be buried this afternoon, next to his full brother (litter mate) Charlie who died seven years ago this past Monday, the 23rd. I'm sure Charlie will be looking after him now.
We still have his 6 year old half sister, Charlyan, who is feeling very lost and confused today.
RIP Oscar 21st June 1997- 25th March 2009
Oscar on the right, with his brother Charlie, at one year old
In the snow last month, doing his own thing
Sorry, this has turned into a much longer post than I intended it to. Here's to a much loved and respected friend x
