Tuesday, May 16, 2017

My Sweet Frankfurter


Hello, Friends,

I am so sorry to have to tell you that my dear Frankfurter has taken a turn for the worse over the past few days, especially Monday, May 15th.  

Frank had been to the vet less than 2 weeks ago and all of his numbers were better than they had been in a long time.  He was feeling good and was his normal "Frankfurter" self.  He started having trouble with his tummy, which we gave him Pepcid for and he seemed to be better.  Last week, though it was obvious that he wasn't feeling good so we took him right into the vet.  She gave him medicine and some shots with instructions for us to take care of him.  Unfortunately, she was gone for the rest of the week and said for us to continue to treat him and to bring him back this week if he still wasn't feeling good.  Frank is blind, but he knows Dr. Reardon's voice and is comfortable with her, so we waited for her to get back.  He wasn't eating or drinking over the weekend, so my parents gave him fluids under his skin here at home.  We knew he didn't feel good because he didn't want to eat or drink, but other than that, he didn't seem to be in terrible shape.  We just kept praying for him to hang in there until his doctor got back today so she could give him another shot of anti-nausea medicine and check him again.  

Unfortunately, this morning (Monday), it was obvious that Frank was in a lot of pain.  My parents gave him some of his pain medicine and took him right in for his appointment today at 9 am.  His doctor did blood work and we did not get good news like we were wanted.  His kidney, liver and phosphorus numbers were all terribly bad.  One of the numbers is bad if it's over 500 and his was over 1,000.  

We had the choice of leaving Frank at the vet where he could get IV fluids and antibiotics but there is no guarantee that this would be able to help him.  This would be very stressful for Frank.  He has always been scared of the "big dogs" and of course, there are dogs and cats and noises there all the time.  He would be in a cage all of the time.  All of that is even worse now that he cannot see.  There is also a chance that he could pass away there by himself, which I don't think any of us could bear. 

We also had the choice of bringing him home and spending some time with him before we would permanently end his pain.  Sorry- I can't write the real words.  I have told God for years and years that I could never be put in that position.  How can I do that to my sweet baby?  If he is suffering, though, I will do what is best for him.  There is no need to prolong his suffering just to make me feel better that I would have a little bit more time with him.  I still pray that this will not happen, however, if it must, his vet will come here to our home to help him. 

Over the phone, I asked if it was possible for us to bring Frank back and forth to the clinic.  Thankfully, she said that we could make that option work.  It won't be as aggressive as leaving him there, but we know he will be able to rest better at home, won't be as stressed out, and will be with someone all the time.  We started this plan today.  My parents will take him to the clinic twice a day for treatment.  He has a (pain killer brain) thing in his leg where they can hook him up to the IV without having to stick him every time.  They will do blood work each time as well as give him all of his medicine and fluids.  It will take around a half an hour to give him the fluids and medicine he needs.  Then, my parents will bring him back home so he can be with us.  

I did not see Frank before he went to the vet this morning because I was asleep.  First, Frank stayed longer than just his appointment while they did tests.  When the results were back, my parents called and the vet talked to me on the phone to let me know about Frank's condition.  We had to leave him there for awhile while they started his first treatment so my parents came back home.  I never go with them because of my back, but went today so I could hold him on the ride back home.  I have never seen my sweet baby look so bad.  You could tell from looking in his eyes that he felt awful, which is from the phosforus being so out of whack.  At this point, he is not in pain right now or as uncomfortable as he was this morning.  He just feels really bad from being so sick.  

We brought Frank home and I was able to hold him all afternoon.  He slept most of the time, but would occassionally wake up.  He knew I was right there with him and I told him over and over how much I love him.  I stayed home for the second trip to the doctor today, cried a lot and then slept a little.  When my parents got back, they woke me up and I was able to hold Frank again this evening.  He was very tired, if for no other reason than going to the vet once always made him tired.  I'm sure having to go twice in one day really wore him out, not to mention that he is so sick.  I am concerned that all of these trips might be too hard on him, but we have to give him a chance.  I can't just give up on my best friend.  

Frank was sick with this same problem last fall.  That time his kidneys stopped working and he got very, very ill then, as well.  We thought we were going to lose him then, but he came out of it.  He is a tough little cookie.  We don't call him "Super Miracle Dog" for nothing.  Dr. Reardon said he still has some fight in him because he was not happy to be stuck and have medicine squirted in his mouth again tonight!  There is some hope that he will get better.  

I am sorry this is so long.  I know many of you have grown attached to my sweet boy after years of following my blog.  I wanted to warn you that this may be coming before you just opened my page one day and saw that terrible news.

If you would please pray for all of us, we would really appreciate it more than you will ever know.  I am praying that if there is anyway God can heal Frankfurter again, that He will please do so.  We have known for a while that every day we have with Frank is a gift.  We will never be ready to lose him.  He has been my baby since he was six weeks old.  He is my heart.  I pray we have more time with him.  I pray that God will give his doctor wisdom and that the treatments she is giving Frank will work.  If, however, that is not to be, I pray that Frank will pass away on his own at home with his family around him.  I pray that he will not be in pain and will not suffer.  I pray that Frank will know how much we love him, that we will love him forever, that he is the best dog in the whole world and that our lives will have always been better because he was in them.  It's a lot for a dog, but he's very smart.

If you would also pray for my parents and I, we definitely need it.  We all love Frank with all of our hearts.  We would do anything in the world for our sweet boy.  This will be a huge loss for all of us, no matter when it happens.  We need to be strong for Frank right now, though.  I try not to cry when I'm holding him because I don't want to upset him.  Thankfully, he slept through my tears tonight when I couldn't hold them in any longer.  

Great days were even better and bad days weren't quite as bad because Frank was right there with me through it all for the last fifteen years and eight months.  I have no doubt that the days I have spent in my life with a wiener dog will have been the best days of my life.  




5 comments:

Janis said...

So very sorry to hear that Frankie is doing so poorly. My prayers for him and for your family during very difficult and heart-breaking time.

I am going through the same thing with my elderly Chaienne (Shy-Cat) who is nearly 16, too. She is in kidney failure and is blind in one eye. Last year, I lost my other elderly kitty, who also was almost 16. It tore a gaping hole in my heart and makes it even harder seeing my sweet Shy-Cat failing, too.

My hubby is a vet and has us set up to care for her at home. We give her fluids a couple times a week and give her meds daily. She still likes to go outside and sit in the sunshine and also to snuggle with me under the covers at night, but she is very ill and very frail.

Our dear pets give us their unconditional love all through their lives. It is only natural that we are willing to give them intensive care when they are so ill. They deserve nothing less and they know we love them. We can be comforted by the knowledge that we have done all we could for them. Even after we say our final goodbyes, they live on in our hearts and memories. Hugs and prayers to you.
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Stampinspicer said...

My heart just breaks for you and your parents. I'm so sorry and I know how painful this is. Frank is so lucky to be in your family - to be so well loved and taken care of. I'm praying for you and your family at this time. I am repeating to God the things you have said in your post.

Anonymous said...

Hugs, tears, and prayers for you and your family as well as dear Frankie and his vet.

Chris R. from Iowa

Nancy said...

Oh, Angela. I am crying right along with you. Non-pet people just don't understand how close we become to these wonderful gifts from God. I have always felt they are guardian angela in fur. In the 17 years that I have been on my own, I have had 3 reacue dogs, either Beagles or Beagle/Bassett mixes, two of which were senior boys so I knew we would not have a lot of time together. Strangely enough, it was the first and youngest who developed cancer and I had no choice in the end but to stop his suffering. They become family and get right into our hearts and spirits. What a gift they are from God. Unconditional love. We don't get that from many others. Your parents are a blessing too and I am so glad they can help you and your sweet Frank. Of course I will keep all of you in my prayers, and will continue to follow your blog posts, hoping for improvement. A hug for Frank and God's blessings on all of you.

Darnell said...

I'm sorry you are going through this with your little weenie dog, Angela. How very blessed you have been to have had each other for 15 years!! That's amazing! I echo your prays, but I feel like the last part about him knowing how much you love him and much he has enriched your lives is not necessary. He knows! And you will always have his paw prints on your heart! Lots of hugs, Darnell

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