Poll: Who is to blame for sellers leaving Wagglepop en masse?

witheyeswideopen · 06-06-2007, 10:24 PM,

As an animal lover myself, I can feel your pain. We have 5 dogs and 2 cats currently. My oldest dog is 10. I have hugged her extra hard since reading your posts. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Dusty.

Platzki · 06-06-2007, 10:46 PM,

We also have 3 cats and a hamster. We had 4 cats til Saturday when we had to take one to the SPCA. He was peeing on out brand new $3000 carpeting. He always peed on area rugs so we didn't have any in the house. We got wall to wall just about 3 weeks ago and he thought it was the new litter box.

This has been a really tough week.

UPDATE... looks like the cortisone and benedryl are working. He managed to lean up on his tummy and we even got him to stand up and walk a few steps. That means we were able to put some nice fluffy blankets under him. He must have rolled off of them sometime thru the night and he was laying on hard floor for most of the day. He ran out of steam after about five steps and had to lay back down. He still looks awful but at least we were able to get him up long enough to eat and drink. The mobile vet has called three times since he left to check his progress (Amazing?)... This guy was really awesome.

His breathing is still very labored but at least he doesn't "seem" to be in as much pain as he was, but I can't tell for sure.

We need to talk to the kids. Our daughter (10)... hmmm... I don't know. She doesn't seem to want to talk about it. We tried to be subtle but maybe that doesn't work with a 10 year old. Any suggestions? Our son (13) who is feeling better, by the way, is grasping at straws. He wants so much to believe that it's just "something stupid" and that he'll be fine. MAN, this sucks with a capital SUCK!

scoop · 06-06-2007, 10:47 PM,

Platzki I'm so sorry I hope the shots the vet gave him help relieve his pain. As other have said you will know the right thing to do. I hope everything goes ok for you at the vet tomorrow.

flying high · 06-06-2007, 10:57 PM,

I had to deal with my children on that one. They do not want to except what could happen just take it is it comes. When I had to put down our Elkhound 16 years ago they did fine. They will deal with it on there own terms. ( I hope this makes sense.) I am glad the vet is keeping in touch sounds like a good one.

moonMAJiC · 06-06-2007, 11:13 PM,

With my kids, I approached them only with a final decision made. I didn't want them to think they had anything to do with the decision if it came to the worst. I tried to make it more matter-of-fact, but with snot freely flowing from my own crying... well, they understood it was the kindest to do for the animal friend, but hardest for us to do for our friend. It's a crushing hurt to lose a loved one and we pretty much all cried together... and for a few days or however long it takes. They've always gotten to say goodbye - will still come to say goodbye to one even though they're all grown now.

And, over the many, many years I've had to face this decision, it may be just a way to pacify myself, but I believe that for every tear or smile a memory brings, it's our animal friend reaching back out to us and letting us know they still love us too.

Very warmest to you, Dusty and all.

youroverheadbin · 06-06-2007, 11:31 PM,

[quote author=Platzki link=topic=3775.msg55624#msg55624 date=1181169963]

We need to talk to the kids. Our daughter (10)... hmmm... I don't know. She doesn't seem to want to talk about it. We tried to be subtle but maybe that doesn't work with a 10 year old. Any suggestions? Our son (13) who is feeling better, by the way, is grasping at straws. He wants so much to believe that it's just "something stupid" and that he'll be fine. MAN, this sucks with a capital SUCK!
[/quote]

Platz, I'm so glad to hear there has been a positive response to the treatment regime laid down by the mobile vet. Go Dusty!

Explaining the "circle of life" to teens and pre-teens is one of the most difficult challenges a parent can, will and ever have to face. They've had so little exposure in their short lives to deal with it. I can only speak from the heart and experience which dictates - be brutally honest with them. Make them comprehend the truth. If they initially hate you for that honesty, except it with the mature grace you possess. It is a no win situation when the emotional wound is raw from their standpoint. They will experience anger born from a sense of helplessness in themselves and maybe even a suspicion that you didn't do enough. But their frustration and resentment will be short lived with the eventual realization that you spoke to them straight on the reality of Dusty's condition and the possible prognosis.

If you turtle, avoid the issue or bolster their conviction that there will be a happily ever after ending, then you've not only compounded the potential heartache, you've exposed yourself to the danger of them losing faith in your judgment. Support their hope that all could turn out well but force them to digest and accept the reality that it just might not happen. And emphasize that the latter is just as heart-breaking for you. Bond with them even if it seems the glue isn't adhering; put all the cards on the table and not in their pipe dream of a miraculous Disney type ending. The former will eventually be respected - the latter could blow up on your face.

Your children will seek an emotional focal point to lay blame for any tragic outcome if it comes to pass. Don't put yourself in their bulls-eye by being less that honest.

I'm leaving now...

youroverheadbin · 06-06-2007, 11:42 PM,

[quote author=UniqueSeller link=topic=3775.msg55562#msg55562 date=1181137932]
Sherrand ... I miss your reports. Can you fill us in soon? I'm very interested how many there are this time around.

~Patti~[/b]
[/quote]

Coming up soon...

UniqueSeller · 06-07-2007, 12:05 AM,

Platz -

(((((HUGS)))))

We have 9 cats right now. We had one die a couple years ago (still seems like yesterday).

I am very happy to read that the treatment is helping out. Go Dusty!!!!

Sending you good thoughts and prayers. Let us know how he does thru the night.

~Patti~

Platzki · 06-07-2007, 12:31 AM,

[quote author=moonMAJiC link=topic=3775.msg55627#msg55627 date=1181171596]
With my kids, I approached them only with a final decision made. I didn't want them to think they had anything to do with the decision if it came to the worst. [/quote]

WOW! Thanks you for that. I never asked them what they thought but my brain is so fried, I may have said something stupid to them like that later. I wholeheartedly agree with you... thanks for remindng me.

[quote author=sherrand link=topic=3775.msg55628#msg55628 date=1181172661]
[quote author=Platzki link=topic=3775.msg55624#msg55624 date=1181169963]

We need to talk to the kids. Our daughter (10)... hmmm... I don't know. She doesn't seem to want to talk about it. We tried to be subtle but maybe that doesn't work with a 10 year old. Any suggestions? Our son (13) who is feeling better, by the way, is grasping at straws. He wants so much to believe that it's just "something stupid" and that he'll be fine. MAN, this sucks with a capital SUCK!
[/quote]
Explaining the "circle of life" to teens and pre-teens is one of the most difficult challenges a parent can, will and ever have to face. They've had so little exposure in their short lives to deal with it. I can only speak from the heart and experience which dictates - be brutally honest with them. Make them comprehend the truth. If they initially hate you for that honesty, except it with the mature grace you possess. It is a no win situation when the emotional wound is raw from their standpoint. They will experience anger born from a sense of helplessness in themselves and maybe even a suspicion that you didn't do enough. But their frustration and resentment will be short lived with the eventual realization that you spoke to them straight on the reality of Dusty's condition and the possible prognosis.

If you turtle, avoid the issue or bolster their conviction that there will be a happily ever after ending, then you've not only compounded the potential heartache, you've exposed yourself to the danger of them losing faith in your judgment. Support their hope that all could turn out well but force them to digest and accept the reality that it just might not happen. And emphasize that the latter is just as heart-breaking for you. Bond with them even if it seems the glue isn't adhering; put all the cards on the table and not in their pipe dream of a miraculous Disney type ending. The former will eventually be respected - the latter could blow up on your face.

Your children will seek an emotional focal point to lay blame for any tragic outcome if it comes to pass. Don't put yourself in their bulls-eye by being less that honest.
[/quote]

Yes... thank you. I want to much for this not to be happening... like a bad dream or something. I must do what's right for them and what's healthy. Death is a part of life and maybe in some ways the death of a pet can help prepare them for the death of someone they love. Because it allows them to learn that life goes on and no matter how bad a day can be, they will be happy again.

We did manage to get Dusty up and out to the 'potty'. He needed help walking so we put a big beach towl under his haunches and helped him up and down the steps by holding him up.

He is still having trouble breathing. I'm gonna go lay down. I'll talk to you all later.

PS - I paused mid-post and talked to the kids. They are dealing pretty good. (Better than me, I think). My son is having a harder time emotionally, hes a really sensitive, good hearted kid. My daughter the 10 year old is holding back her feelings. I think she's embarassed to be upset. She'll be ok.

racedream · 06-07-2007, 01:04 AM,

Platzki, I've been sitting here reading lots and lots of pages, trying to get caught up on everything. I got to your posts about Dusty, and I sat here reading with tears streaming down my face :'( :'(. Please know that I am thinking about all of you and sending lots of love and hugs. Make sure you take care of yourself too. You won't be able to help Dusty or your family if you don't take care of yourself as well.

From one animal lover to another, sending lots of good thoughts, love and hugs.