Time To Say Goodbye

When is the right time to let go? Watching Mishka gradually worsen each week I told myself it would be when he could no longer eat or wag his tail. But here we are weeks on and yet he still has an interest in his food (and everyone else's) and always has a wag ready and waiting. But two weeks ago he suddenly developed a limp in his left front leg after a egg search expedition in the shelter belt accompanied by a stray cow. He had trouble touching his paw to the ground but it seemed like the trouble was coming from the shoulder. Gradually each day he has curtailed his perambulations around the garden to the point now that he only wanders twenty feet from the door for a toilet stop or else to the woodshed to steal Stig's milk.

The mouth tumours have grown back and became ulcerated and infected a couple of weeks ago so he's back on antibiotics. The tumour in the lymph node of his neck has doubled so goodness knows what's going on in the rest of his body. Despite eating well and all his supplements and alternative treatments he is beginning to lose a little weight. He looks sad.

Mishka sleeps a lot now although he takes an interest in visitors. Especially one doggy one, Pippi the blue heeler, who was sitting in a truck last Saturday with Mishka whining up at her. Quick as a flash she jumped out of the window and much bum sniffing ensued before Mish began some intensive "wild thang". Distracting him from her wasn't too easy but she didn't seem to mind until she decided to go to the loo and Mish, never being man to let a chance go by, hopped on sideways. At that Pippi took umbrage and began growling so was locked back in the truck leaving a love lorn Romeo whining up at her.

Yesterday I rang the vets and discussed the options for putting Mish to sleep. As bringing them out here is too expensive and Mish is terrified of the clinic they will come out to the car and with me sitting beside him on the back seat they will set him free. He loves going for car rides so hopefully will be unsuspecting of what is about to happen. The last gift you can ever give your pet is unselfishness on your part- to learn when it is time to say goodbye.