Oliver, our geriatric St. Bernard on the other hand has not been feeling so well lately. I've been avoiding blogging about it because I knew it would be hard for me to get through it while wiping the tears from my eyes. He's been slowing down for a while now but lately he's been having trouble breathing. So bad that 2 weeks ago the Gardener had to carry him out to the car and take him to the vet to have him checked out. He has Laryngeal Paralysis which basically means that his larynx is not opening and closing as well as it should. He also had some fluid in his lungs so the vet gave him a diuretic and some steroids for the larynx. It helped for a little while but the vet made it clear that he can't stay on the meds for too long. There is a surgery for this condition but the vet didn't think he would make it through the anesthesia. He's just too old.
The hot and humid weather we have been experiencing over the last few weeks has been especially hard on him. He was panting and wheezing so bad on Monday that I pulled out the nebulizer we keep in the bathroom closet and used some leftover breathing treatment meds from when Binny had RSV as a baby. I know totally unorthodox, not to mention expired, although they were still sealed in a foil pouch, so I'm sure it was fine. He sat still for the treatment as I stroked his gigantic head while blowing Albuterol in his face. Short of calling the vet at 9pm on a HOLIDAY, it was my only choice. I think it helped. If nothing else just lying still on the floor with him helps to calm him down.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-x-Wx_wyMwRgK_XO3UxG5Q2jcFxBwkfISZbgma8pChm_hQ6rDLLPK8AsqWZBmvUTL1NIhwuatp8tQdJw6iLJBSP6FnMeengk8jzYh7yJiAilOjhBVKgswFBjp6B2Y9Rr5q1zCSC45vU/s576/May+24-9.jpg)
I'm going to miss him terribly but it isn't fair to keep him around if he's suffering. The Gardener and I know it's coming but we're both having a hard time saying goodbye. He was our first. I remember the day we picked him up and shelled over 500 bucks for the cutest little ball of fur you've ever seen. He and his 7 brothers and sisters running around outside with their beautiful mother Tara Rose and their 210 pound father Teddy Bear. It was when Teddy came over and whizzed all over the hood of our car just by lifting his enormous leg, that the Gardener and I looked at each other and simultaneously thought what the hell are we getting ourselves into?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_krmp_6e_OhoQENY-m-XcgYPhinL9HEqTAny-ULCbEIpnOuA2_NaP7ZAL7Cr6k-iYRqr1LfsjCSJPEfUIt-LKYkg4XCoMlbjAxyAopK4XgfuNR_vcP2oleWhhJ_AZ9Vn4TR-ENf4PBw/s576/IMG.jpg)
The first few years were a little crazy considering his body grew like he was ingesting gallons of protein drink on a daily basis while still having the mentality of a puppy. Plenty of shredded shoes in our house. He has also been known to chew on table legs and wooden stairs. He thinks tennis balls are chew toys and thinks other dogs are stupid to go chase ofter them then take them back to the lunatic human who keeps throwing it. No, Oliver would rather take it directly from your hand, go lay in the shade and chew on it until it pops then rip it all apart and leave the carcass on the front lawn. He has peed on every flooring surface in every single house we've ever lived in. He has dug holes large enough to bury an entire body and he's the head of our personal security team. I feel so safe with him and Rocko around. They love all of us so much that it doesn't even seem fair. They are always around and as loyal as a dog can be. It just makes me sad that his life is coming to an end. It also worries me that Rocko will be alone once Oliver is gone. How will he take it?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAvBQXqHYyQS7NouCM3YzY7P-D6FTyexmhGFtaDcmApGM0wEiMuwZKovve2dPk-WdosbK9707JEyVbmwaYkyasykzeBxUVD_Uk5o0wRF5NMC5BObnzvnvRAri4ofzr0ga_k-NbhjQ4jM/s576/Oliver-3.jpg)
That's where we plan to bury him, also because my father-in-law is the only one around with a machine big enough to dig a hole large enough for a Saint Bernard.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpWerJ0CJKcuioqWbKKn-FpBVOO6MUo2oq9L9s1MqeK3SEUmZZzsn9fEGbw4qgsiGNtMMmu5PZDqGj3Zh7FnxGV7eKUuZzGQgkpEVbxWInnVWSBdTSdtveKs8ue4Ehv5seElS9sXn7qE/s576/Oliver-1.jpg)
9 comments:
Dammit, you're making me cry. You're the second blogger to day to talk about losing a pet.
I know you want him around as long as possible, but don't wait too long. I've done that before and it's a horrible thing to witness.
How are the girls taking it? They've had him around all their lives, haven't they?
I hope that Oliver's last days or weeks are good ones. Lots of hugs from down here in Texas.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog Oliver. What a big lovable furry guy. Losing a beloved family pet is never easy. You guys are in our thoughts.
Hugs,
M.
It isn't fair that they don't live as long as we do.
{{{{hugs}}}}
I'm so sorry. He is a beautiful dog. YOur family is in my thoughts.
I am also so sorry. Pets are our family members too. Hugs
OH, weeping, weeping.
OMG Alison. I'm sitting here quietly crying to myself. How incredibly sad. Our Saint will be 10 this month and I know her days are numbered as well. There's something about saints, big human sized loveable fur balls of joy.
I'm sending you virtual hugs right now and I know how hard this is going to be. The first time we lost a dog I couldn't talk to anyone about it for months. The mere mention of her name sent me into tears.
If you need to talk you know you can find me on FB or email. I'm never far from the computer cuz I work at home.
Aw....poor big Oliver. I wish you well and well I have to go. I'm all tearing again. :o( BIG FROWNY FACE
Oh! Don't make my cry! I've had to make that decision and it just breaks my heart. But you are right - to let him suffer would be awful.
So sorry.
Touching post. I have to say though the last picture is very beautiful. Wishing you all the best
Post a Comment