Eric7100 Posted December 4, 2016 Author Share Posted December 4, 2016 It is so heartbreaking each day to watch Salt physically shrivel up and become a shell of her former shelf. She can't walk, she can't eat, and she can't even keep her eyes open. She has lost her voice, and her breathing sounds strained. I have to force-feed her two meals a day, usually by shoving the food down her throat. Because she can barely stand, she falls down into her own waste whenever she tries to go to the bathroom, so I am constantly washing her. When she sleeps, I have to keep checking whether she is still alive. She was mistaken to be deceased several times. The process of watching a dog in its final days is one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. My heart aches for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 It is so heartbreaking each day to watch Salt physically shrivel up and become a shell of her former shelf. She can't walk, she can't eat, and she can't even keep her eyes open. She has lost her voice, and her breathing sounds strained. I have to force-feed her two meals a day, usually by shoving the food down her throat. Because she can barely stand, she falls down into her own waste whenever she tries to go to the bathroom, so I am constantly washing her. When she sleeps, I have to keep checking whether she is still alive. She was mistaken to be deceased several times. The process of watching a dog in its final days is one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. My heart aches for her. I can feel your pain Eric, it may be time for you to lay her down to rest and for her to sore with the angles... Its one of the hardest decisions to make.. We had to make a decision like that with our dog Danser who was 18 years old... Its Tough brother, Tough but it may be the right thing to do for Salt.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cvga Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 It is so heartbreaking each day to watch Salt physically shrivel up and become a shell of her former shelf. She can't walk, she can't eat, and she can't even keep her eyes open. She has lost her voice, and her breathing sounds strained. I have to force-feed her two meals a day, usually by shoving the food down her throat. Because she can barely stand, she falls down into her own waste whenever she tries to go to the bathroom, so I am constantly washing her. When she sleeps, I have to keep checking whether she is still alive. She was mistaken to be deceased several times. The process of watching a dog in its final days is one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. My heart aches for her. I feel for you also Eric. Hang in there. I wish I could say something to make things better for you. I do know that over time your great memories of the two of you together will help ease the pain you're experiencing right now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 Salt's abdominal ultrasound on Tuesday morning revealed nothing glaringly abnormal. By process of elimination, her problem (and symptoms) must be neurological. The next step would be a MRI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted December 8, 2016 Author Share Posted December 8, 2016 Salt has just eaten her first meal on her own in over two weeks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 That's Great News Eric!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted December 10, 2016 Author Share Posted December 10, 2016 On this day, one year ago, I drove over three hours to a farm in the Bloomsburg/Danville area, where a guy named Jesse placed a two-month-old Sheltie named Bitsy in my arms for the first time. On Christmas Day, her name would become Lassie. What a wonderful day this was, one year ago! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Well how about an updated picture of Lassie!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 Before, it was just speculation. Now, it is official. Salt is in her final days. She returned from her final oncology appointment today, with her oncologist telling me that he can't treat her anymore. Her problems are neurological, but the general anesthesia that is required for a MRI would kill her. Realistically, he wouldn't be able to treat her neurological problem, anyway. Furthermore, Salt has become anemic, due to a lack of eating. He recommended euthanizing her, but I have already decided to let God choose the moment of her final breath. Salt was sent home today with one mission only - to die. I hope that I can be by her side when it happens. Salt's oncologist said that she could not have asked for a better father. I will always remember those words. The next time that I report about Salt, it will be to announce her death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Before, it was just speculation. Now, it is official. Salt is in her final days. She returned from her final oncology appointment today, with her oncologist telling me that he can't treat her anymore. Her problems are neurological, but the general anesthesia that is required for a MRI would kill her. Realistically, he wouldn't be able to treat her neurological problem, anyway. Furthermore, Salt has become anemic, due to a lack of eating. He recommended euthanizing her, but I have already decided to let God choose the moment of her final breath. Salt was sent home today with one mission only - to die. I hope that I can be by her side when it happens. Salt's oncologist said that she could not have asked for a better father. I will always remember those words. The next time that I report about Salt, it will be to announce her death. SO SORRY to Hear Eric, stay close to Salt and the Doctor was right Salt was lucky to have you and as you were lucky to have Salt... Stay Strong Eric..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 I have received the best Christmas present ever. Salt is doing much, much better. Nearly all of her health issues are miraculously resolving themselves. It looks like she's going to be around for awhile, and that means I get to spend more time with her. I couldn't be happier about this. Thank you all for the prayers. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpel Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I have received the best Christmas present ever. Salt is doing much, much better. Nearly all of her health issues are miraculously resolving themselves. It looks like she's going to be around for awhile, and that means I get to spend more time with her. I couldn't be happier about this. Thank you all for the prayers. Great great news Eric ! Happy Christmas ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cmart604 Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 It's a Christmas miracle! Glad to hear your dog is doing better. (Seriously can't believe I was the first one to post this) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 It's a Christmas miracle! It really is! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Share Posted December 29, 2016 Salt and Santa Claus - Christmas 2016 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Awesome, thanks for sharing Eric!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefPepper Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 (edited) Yay! Merry Xmas! Edited December 29, 2016 by ChefPepper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 Salt is walking normally, eating like a horse, and regaining her lost weight. She has made a 100% full recovery. Isn't it great when medical doctors are wrong? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 (edited) Salt is walking normally, eating like a horse, and regaining her lost weight. She has made a 100% full recovery. Isn't it great when medical doctors are wrong? I'm so glad for you and Salt that they were Eric... Edited January 14, 2017 by m-crew 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 It is time for your prayers once again. Following a full recovery of her recent illness, Salt developed a corneal ulcer in December, which has progressed to a descemetocele (a partial rupture of the inner liquids of the eye). Without surgery, a complete rupture will eventually occur, which will cause the eye to collapse, and its entire contents will drain out, destroying the eye. I have scheduled an emergency surgery for Monday morning. The risk of death under general anesthesia is great, given Salt's age and recent conditions. However, I have no choice. This is my only chance to save her eye. Even if I would let nature take its course, and purposely allow the eye to completely rupture, then she would be facing another surgery to remove the eye. A surgery is required in either case, but at this point, I can still attempt to save the eye, rather than remove it. Although the corneal ulcer and the surgical procedure will not kill her, I am in great fear of her life's journey coming to an end, due to the effects of general anesthesia. Please pray that Salt remains on this Earth past Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Prayers with you , Salt is one tough dog and im sure will fight through this once again... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted January 29, 2017 Share Posted January 29, 2017 I hope your pet does well and gets better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambrosine Posted January 29, 2017 Share Posted January 29, 2017 Praying that Salt remains on this Earth past Monday. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. Salt has survived her eye surgery, with no complications. It will be two weeks before we find out whether the corneal ulcer has healed completely and correctly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. Salt has survived her eye surgery, with no complications. It will be two weeks before we find out whether the corneal ulcer has healed completely and correctly. Salt , and Pepper(Eric) Glad to hear , 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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