Coffee Shop Forever, It's time to kick bottom and drink coffee! Options

[haute ecole rider]

After a total of fourteen years working emergencies, I am very anal about keeping my kitties indoors only. The one cat wouldn't go outside if you bribed him - he was a barn kitten that was hit by a car on New Years Eve and came in to the clinic the next morning. My first case of the day was going to be an euthanasia because the farmer couldn't afford to have a fractured leg repaired. This sucker took one look at the sweet-faced purring six month old kitten and said, no euthanasia, sign him over to the clinic and we'll take it from there. Long story short, he ended up making his home with us and doesn't miss the broken hind limb (amputated due to bone necrosis) at all.

The other is a pampered retired Siberian queen that thinks she is literally The Queen. I call them the Queen and the Knave, because that is exactly what they are!

So both are indoors only. I've seen enough heartbreakers in the e-clinic to want to go through anything like that myself.

@minque: I'm not surprised that Bolz isn't eating because of a sore throat. Makes me wonder if he ingested something out here that caused the inflammation. My first cat had the same problem when he bit into a centipede, though the problem only lasted a couple of days. Some chemicals can cause chemical burns in the esophagus and lower down, and can really mess up a pet's appetite. Calicivirus and herpesvirus (feline form, affects eyes, nose and throat) can also cause ulcers. Can you get hold of some sucralfate solution from your veterinarian? We use it a lot for throat inflammation - it seems to help quite a bit. I don't know if it's available in Northern Europe where you are (Norway? Sweden?), but if you can get it, get it! Good luck!

[Olen]

I hope the next treatment works for your cat Minque. At least there's nothing fundementally wrong with it.

I'm back from the hills and other than clouds of midges it was great. A fair bit of sun and quite warm, warm enough to go for a swim even. Only got one top done (mainly due to a happy accident of two people bringing wine for everyone) but did some nice low level stuff too. The Loch Laggan area is nice, even if the roads are jokes and the place names utterly unpronoucable ('lochan na h earba' would be an example, a lone h shouldn't be allowed).

[treydog]

Please indulge me with a few moments of your time. I want to celebrate the life of the original Trey, a long-haired dachshund who was my loyal friend for the last 19 years. As some of you know, he had been declining lately, but that is not how I want to remember him. And that is one of the benefits of those incredible 19 years- there are many memories from which to choose.

We first saw the tiny puppy at a pet store in a shopping mall. I know all the reasons why one should not patronize such places- and I agree with them. I had never seen a tri-color dachshund before, especially not one who was black and tan and silver. We had actually left the mall and were some miles down the road toward home when I convinced Mrs. Treydog to turn around and go back for a closer look.

The pet store people, being wise to the ways of retail pet sales had “play rooms” where prospective buyers could “visit” with the various critters…. Mrs. T held the puppy, and he seemed energetic and interested- then she handed him to me- and it was over. He jumped up and licked my nose. We set up a payment plan and took our new friend home, along with a squeaky toy that was as big as he was. He became “Trey,” an old-style name for a tri-color hound. That also became the name of every one of my CRPG characters for many years to come, as I imagined him sitting at the keyboard with his little dachshund paws, playing the games while I was out.

We were going to be tough and confine the little fellow in the kitchen, which had a linoleum floor. That lasted about 30 minute of the first night, after which he slept in bed with us. In a few weeks, when it became clear that short, prone-to-dysplasia dachshund legs and high beds did not mix, he got his own bed on the floor right beside me, where he slept for the next 17 years. On one memorable night, I knocked something into the floor while reaching for the alarm clock. “No problem,” I thought, “I’ll look for it in the morning.” Morning came and I discovered the fallen object was my glasses, which had been thoroughly chewed by sharp puppy teeth, including the earpieces and the edges of the plastic lenses.

He really hated to see us leave for work, and would grab the cuffs of my jeans as I walked toward the front door, setting his paws and trying to hold me back. When that did not work, he settled for the next best thing, raiding the dirty laundry for one of my shirts and one of Mrs. T’s blouses, which he carried to his doggie bed- the one from which he could watch the front door. Even up until a year ago, he would still occasionally steal socks and hide them in his bed when we were at work

Trey certainly had the fabled dachshund stubbornness, but he was also incredibly gentle with the cats and other dogs that came into his house. When our grandsons arrived, I was concerned, because Trey was not a young dog any more, and I knew that dachshunds can be snappish. However, he never showed any sign of unhappiness, only followed the boys around, hoping to be included in their games.

I could go on and on, but I will rest with this- when Trey came into my life, I was given a great gift. Today, I had to return that gift by understanding that it was time to let him go. Blessings upon you, my dear friend, and upon anyone who has ever been owned by a dog.

[Alexander]

I'm so sorry to hear this Stuart. I know how hard it is to have to make such a decision with a loved pet.

19 years suddenly seems like such a short time doesn't it?

Please except my sympathies, and best wishes in this coming time.

[Olen]

19 years is a long time even if it doesn't seem so much and you have my sympathies with losing such a friend.

It is a hard decision but the time comes when it's the right one, a sad time but at the end of years of good ones.

Best wishes for the coming weeks.

[SubRosa]

I am so sorry to hear about Trey. You have my deepest sympathies. I still remember when I had to do the same thing. As others have said, it is for the best, as the alternative is no kindness.

[haute ecole rider]

So sorry to hear that your namesake has passed on.

Yes, blue merle doxies are not common (that is the technical term for the color Trey was/is). They are also nicer than the classic smooth coated black and tan ones like the one I had growing up.

Without you having to say so, I know Trey was intensely loyal, had a sense of mischief, was protective of his housemates, and knew how to play on your emotions to get his way. As a veterinarian, I've met a number of doxie dogs that are exactly like that. They don't have a hard time worming their way into my heart as special patients (along with big-boned German Shepherds, yellow Labs, and almost every cat).

Like Alexander said, nineteen years sure went by in a hurry. But you and Mrs. T have been so blessed for those nineteen years to have had Trey in your lives. I'm sure you made the right decision for Trey when his quality of life was no longer acceptable. It's the hardest responsibility of being a pet owner, but in the end it's the gift we can give those who give us their entire lives.

Take care of yourselves.

[Black Hand]

You have my condolences, dear Trey.

If there was a line that I could write, that could truly express my sincerity, I would.

[Lord Revan]

Sorry to hear that, man. I've never had a pet and haven't yet known anyone that long to lose them. It's great you enjoyed so many years with him.

[Black Hand]

Bad things happen in threes I guess. My brothers 14+ year old cat was so bad that when I got home from work today, he couldn't even walk. That was up from a limp a few days ago. Thank god I live 3 miles from a 24 hour emergency vet clinic, just got back, so I don't know what the hells going on just yet.

Going to sleep now.

[Acadian]

The old dachshund limped to the door of the small house in Bravil. It had been a long, difficult journey. The roads and forests of Cyrodiil were not safe, especially for a tiny, ancient dog. There were plenty of creatures- two-legged as wells as four-legged, who would be happy to make a meal out of him. But that was all in the past now, and his destination was in view.

Carefully, he nosed the door open and scented the air. Empty. He looked to the corner where a bow should stand and saw fresh marks in the dust. She was gone- but she had been here. And she would be back. With a contented sigh, the old dog found a spot before the hearth and laid down to wait.

Upon returning to her small house, she managed a bittersweet smile through the tears. For this was Cyodiil and all things are possible. She knew the beautiful little Trey would always have a gently crackling fire warming the hearth for him and a soft spot on the bed. His long journey was complete and he was home.

[minque]

Stuart..I'm so very sorry to hear this! Trey and you....has been an institution around here...I can't say more right here and now but I've mailed you!


Blackie, how terrible! I know 14 years for a cat is...pretty old! I'm sorry for you and your brother, and the kitty of course...

I have been scared for Bolzmann the last three weeks now, that I would loose him, but as it seems he's getting better. He's eating again and behaving like the old kitty he is; a bit slow, lazy, walking in and out eating not much each time but pretty frequently. He's on medication (antibiotics) and I won't stop it until some expert tells me to...

[Black Hand]

Glad Bolzmann's getting better. The thing with the cat was that he was already skin and bones pretty much, and when I found him he had poop stuck to himself.

But that aside, yeah he could barely walk, Im pretty sure he was in pain, and they ran checks on his thyroid and whathaveyou, nothing came up. The bloodwork said the sodium was high and they werent sure why he wasnt retaining water or putting on weight, cuz this cat is overfed if anything, all that with the degrading mobility I think they called it was a symptom of the larger problem.

The only thing they said they could find was a mass near his heart in the xrays, but they don't know if its a fatty deposit or a tumor, etc. We'll find out I guess.

[treydog]

Everyone- thanks so much. My heart is strengthened by the kindness of my many friends.

Oh, yes, Trey frequently had the "I'm about to get up to something" look in his eyes. And he once went after a Siberian husky to save Mrs. Treydog's Yorkie...

Acadian- You are correct- one of the joys of Cyrodiil is that all things are possible. As long as his doggie daddy can continue to play computer games, there will be a Trey in the Elder Scrolls universe. And sometimes he will be a small, silver-dappled dog with a heart far larger than would appear possible.

Minque- I am so glad Herr Doktor B. is getting back to himself.

Black Hand- My thoughts are with you and I will visualize a positive outcome.

Again- thank you everyone.

[Black Hand]

http://chorrol.com/files/848/tigger.jpg.JPG

RIP Tigger 1995 - 2010

He started having trouble breathing and was vomiting blood. They could not reach me, but reached my brother and advised him to put the cat to sleep.

I do feel your pain now as well Trey.

[Acadian]

Black Hand, I feel so badly for you. Like I do for treydog. I'm still smarting over the loss of my Great Dane, and that was over 5 years ago. It's amazing how they capture your heart.

Oh minque, I so hope your kitty continues to get better!

[treydog]

Black Hand, I am sorry that we must share the burden of loss- but I am glad that we can. Know that my thoughts are with you- and that I imagine Tigger and Trey are having a fine time together.

[haute ecole rider]

Oh, Blackie, I'm so sorry to hear about Tigger. I'm glad they were able to reach your brother for permission to euthanize. That means he didn't suffer too long.

Take care of yourselves, and remember all the good times Tigger brought you.

[Alexander]

http://chorrol.com/files/848/tigger.jpg.JPG

RIP Tigger 1995 - 2010

He started having trouble breathing and was vomiting blood. They could not reach me, but reached my brother and advised him to put the cat to sleep.

I do feel your pain now as well Trey.

I'm so sorry to hear this Black Hand, and wish you the same as Stuart; all the best in the coming time.

[minque]

Blackie! I'm so sorry to hear about Tigger...my thoughts are with you....I know about old kitties...mine is better but he has aged the last month....aged remarkably