Goodbye Hamish
April 2nd 2008 01:21
We had to say goodbye to our dachy boy, Hamish, on Saturday.
He had back problems, common in long dogs like dachshunds. He had surgery twice on his back, in Jan and August 07. The first time he was out of hospital in 4 days and made a complete recovery.
In August when his back went again, it was the next disc up from the one which ruptured in January. We decided on surgery again as he'd done so wonderfully the first time. He was in hospital longer though, 8 days. He regained the use of his back legs pretty well, but not completely. He'd walk with his back arched (like he was putting more weight on the front legs). His right back leg was also slower than the left, so he walked with a sideways lilt. Despite his funny walk, he was still a very happy boy and would get excited and run (hop) about around the place. He loved to chew up squeaky toys and sit outside in the sunshine.
Wednesday morning, he just stopped walking. We'd already decided not to put him through any more operations. He'd handled it well before, but we could tell he didn't like to be stuck in hospital and was starting to look frustrated with his reduced mobility.
He didn't have any bladder function, so the surgeon said that we would need to see if that returned and re-assess what to do from there. He said he might cope with a doggy wheelchair but we would have to think about whether we could deal with that and if our home was suitable. We would have cared for Hamish, disabled or not - as long as he was happy and not in pain.
We visited him on Thursday and Friday (for hours at a time - can imagine what the poor hospital staff were thinking), and he was bright and alert, though still unable to pee by himself. It was an awful time, not knowing what to do. On Saturday morning he was looking pretty miserable.
Hamish would have put up with anything, he was a dog who would just get on with having a good time. But the road back from where he was would have been so hard for him and while spending time cuddling him on Saturday, I kept getting the feeling he was too tired and needed to go.
At 11 years old, his back wasn't going to get better and even if he could be kept pain free, he would have been so frustrated not being able to run around when he wanted. He was also a very clean dog, he never ever relieved himself in the house, so having no bladder or bowel control would have been hard for him to cope with. There was also every possibility that another disc would go, putting him back to square one again.
It was the hardest decision ever. I don't get so attached to the alpacas, but the dachys are family. I'm so glad we had the others waiting at the door and wagging their tails when we came home on Saturday. We need to think of them too now. They're coping well so far. We're all missing Hamish terribly, but I think that over time we'll realise it was the right thing to do. We made a special spot for him in the garden and bought an orange blossom to plant there.
He was an awesome little guy and we loved him.
Hamish
He had back problems, common in long dogs like dachshunds. He had surgery twice on his back, in Jan and August 07. The first time he was out of hospital in 4 days and made a complete recovery.
In August when his back went again, it was the next disc up from the one which ruptured in January. We decided on surgery again as he'd done so wonderfully the first time. He was in hospital longer though, 8 days. He regained the use of his back legs pretty well, but not completely. He'd walk with his back arched (like he was putting more weight on the front legs). His right back leg was also slower than the left, so he walked with a sideways lilt. Despite his funny walk, he was still a very happy boy and would get excited and run (hop) about around the place. He loved to chew up squeaky toys and sit outside in the sunshine.
Wednesday morning, he just stopped walking. We'd already decided not to put him through any more operations. He'd handled it well before, but we could tell he didn't like to be stuck in hospital and was starting to look frustrated with his reduced mobility.
He didn't have any bladder function, so the surgeon said that we would need to see if that returned and re-assess what to do from there. He said he might cope with a doggy wheelchair but we would have to think about whether we could deal with that and if our home was suitable. We would have cared for Hamish, disabled or not - as long as he was happy and not in pain.
We visited him on Thursday and Friday (for hours at a time - can imagine what the poor hospital staff were thinking), and he was bright and alert, though still unable to pee by himself. It was an awful time, not knowing what to do. On Saturday morning he was looking pretty miserable.
Hamish would have put up with anything, he was a dog who would just get on with having a good time. But the road back from where he was would have been so hard for him and while spending time cuddling him on Saturday, I kept getting the feeling he was too tired and needed to go.
At 11 years old, his back wasn't going to get better and even if he could be kept pain free, he would have been so frustrated not being able to run around when he wanted. He was also a very clean dog, he never ever relieved himself in the house, so having no bladder or bowel control would have been hard for him to cope with. There was also every possibility that another disc would go, putting him back to square one again.
It was the hardest decision ever. I don't get so attached to the alpacas, but the dachys are family. I'm so glad we had the others waiting at the door and wagging their tails when we came home on Saturday. We need to think of them too now. They're coping well so far. We're all missing Hamish terribly, but I think that over time we'll realise it was the right thing to do. We made a special spot for him in the garden and bought an orange blossom to plant there.
He was an awesome little guy and we loved him.
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Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Love to you all and to Hamish too, wherever he is.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's so hard and sad saying goodbye to a dog who is part of the family. He looked like a gorgeous guy.
Thoughts to you all,
Tracy
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
That was a beautiful photo of him you gave us.
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's Variety blog
Power Ranger Online
Comedy TV Online
Well, at least Hamish is in a better place now.
Doggie Heaven.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
It's terrible to go through, making a decision like that, it really goes against the grain.
My thoughts with you and your family, and I'm sure dear Hamish is at peace.
Michaelie
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
He is in Doggy heaven now, chewing his little toys and who knows... he may return to you in the eyes of your next cria... it wouldn;t be the first time a pet has returned...
Huge Hugs
Lilla ...
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Nah, Hamish wouldn't like being an alpaca. He only ate grass when he needed to chuck.
The look in his eyes and all the funny things he did have been carved into my memory though, so I'd know straight away if he did return.
Just hoping he's having a good time somewhere.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Comment by Julie Vaux
Books Well Read
Strange Situations
The Purple Challenge
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania