We have spent a wonderful time with this brave, funny, fun loving, very wise little dog. Such a good hunter, so fearless.
She has developed an obstructed trachea most likely due to an enlarged heart. She has gone deaf in the last six weeks. She can manage a short walk in the cool of the day, sniffing her way along, so no-one realises she can’t get her breath.
She still loves her food though!
She has started to have longer moments of mild seizures, where she just stands and looks into nothing space. She has heart twinges that must be painful, which make her jerk. She has some toothache.
We have done done our best for her. She has been worth it for her wonderful company and witty remarks and ripostes. Her ordering of our days with walks and meals.
Although I feel crushingly sad, and am in tears, it’s the best thing now to make her as comfortable and cool in the heat of the day as we can. She may pick up, but I think it would be better not to try to intervene. I think it is her time to leave us. I think she would like it to be on her terms, quietly with little fuss, just knowing we are close by and watching over her.
She has had a great time in her day catching rabbits and pheasants, killing a few chickens, dispatching a fair number of rats and other vermin. She has done so well for the dog that got thrown into a skip at four weeks old with démodéx. She has lurched from one physical crisis to another all her days, and yet her Spirit has been so strong. It’s what a Patterdale is made for. Survival.
We are due to see the Vet again on Thursday. We have a plan to scan her heart, but I think it’s probably more invasive for her to have that scan. She is not going to survive the next few months hot weather, and cooping her in the house with a rented air conditioner is not the best way for an outdoorsy hunting dog to spend her last days.
Its difficult losing a cherished companion.