Monday, July 5, 2010

Our Sweet Oliver

Oliver             
Dylan and Oliver



Our dear Oliver "Twist" ( in the purple collar and with the face closeups) died this Friday July 2nd at about 5pm at the age of 13 years and 8 months. He had been sick for about a month and really declining for the past two weeks. We found out he had a mass on his liver about two weeks ago and this had coincided with loss of appetite and vomiting. Since his diagnosis he subsisted on a diet of whatever he could stand to eat  -varying from chicken, A/D presciption diet, to bread dipped in broth, to pedialyte, Fris.kies mixed grill cat food and in his last days pizza crust. He eschewed the burgers, turkey and gourmet dog food we offered him but once in a while he would perk up and come into the kitchen and then it was a frantic guessing game for us to figure out what he would eat. He was obviously hungry, but really nauseated. We gave him fluids and had him at the vets for two days the first week getting IV fluids, chinese medicine and anything else they could think of to jump start his appetite. That first week we were almost ready to put him to sleep but he rallied after two days at the vets, demanded to be walked and was interested in food again for a short while. The last week he spent at home, with us tending to his delicate appetite, giving him fluids and taking him on very short walks. His best moment was last Sunday when we took him and his brother Dylan to the beach. He did not want to run around or chase a ball, but he quite happily waded in the water up to his chest and drank some lake water, while Dylan ran around like  a maniac after his kong.
We weren't sure how Dylan was going to cope with this- they are litter mates, maybe even twins, and have been inseparable since they were twelve weeks old when they came to live with me and my ex, K. Oliver was always the sweet lover boy who just wanted to lick you, snuggle with you and have a quiet life. If it hadn't been for Dylan, he probably would have had a quiet life, but Dylan was always trying to get him to play and fight and wrassle! Even though Dylan looks like the alpha dog, he is actually a bit of a scaredy boy and we always saw Ollie as the one who was more confident and less anxious. Ollie could handle it when Dylan was away for  a short time ( like at the vets) but Dylan would howl when Ollie went away. Over the past 6 or 7 years Ollie has had lots of trips to the vets: pancreatitis, any kind of itis of the stomach and colon, and we have worked really hard to find a diet and a regime that worked well for him and for Dylan. We found a really good food combination last summer and they had both been doing well until January, when Ollie got sick again and was treated with the ever useful Metronidizole. One liver enzyme was a bit elevated but the vet was not too worried. He was fine after that until a week or so before they went in for their check ups this June when he had  had some vomiting and nausea.  They both had blood panels and Oliver's came back with two liver enzymes elevated- one alarmingly so. And we started on the rollercoaster of X-rays, Ultrasounds, diagnoses, meds and fluids. We knew that all we could give  was palliative care and that we couldn't cure him, but we all kept hoping that he would regain his appetite and be able to have more life left in him.

During the last two weeks, it has been hard not to be mad with Dylan - he has seemed almost oblivious to Oliver's illness, been very demanding and hyper and pushing and shoving. Our dogwalker pointed out that she thinks he was just really anxious about Ollie being sick and this was his way of showing it. When I figured that out it was easier to be compassionate towards him.

We decided on Thursday that we needed to let Ollie go and that he we couldn't alleviate his suffering anymore. So we made an appointment at our vets to euthanize him on Friday evening. Our vet, Maria, has been wonderful over the past five or so years since we switched to her becuase our previous vet had just thrown up her hands at Oliver's various stomach troubles. We brought Dylan with us and were able to sit with Ollie, Dylan and Maria and talk about Ollie's life and how he came into our lives and what a wonderful companion he has been. We sat on the floor with him on a cushion and blankets and told him we loved him and when he was ready she gave him the medicine that put him to sleep and stopped his heart. He looked so peaceful and it happened so fast. We were distraught. Dylan sniffed at him and we kissed him good-bye.

Since then we have been looking at our pictures of him and Dylan and trying to remember all the good times we had with Oliver, the travels, rolling around on  hotel room carpets, running on beaches, splashing in lakes, wrestling with his brother, and rolling in the grass and  the licks and cuddles. Mostly we have been comforting each other and trying to comfort Dylan who has reverted to his old slower, hesitant self. When we go for walks he lags on the way out and rushes on the way back. He smells the ground as if he is looking for Ollie's scent and looks around the house when he returns from being out. It is so surreal without Ollie. He and Dylan were our first dogs and we were all devoted to each other.  Susan came into Ollie's life when he was two and when me and my ex were splitting up. Dylan had always been my special boy, even though I did most of the care- taking of both of them, and Oliver was my ex's special boy. When Susan and I got together she became Ollie's special mom and she really took care of him, looked out for him and was such a good momma to him. The last few weeks have definitely shown me a side of Susan that I knew was there but have never seen in such high definition. She is a wonderful care-taker and is going to make a wonderful baby momma! She is the most tender-hearted, strong, wonderful person and the only good thing to come from all this sadness is knowing that more than ever I have found the right human for me.

28 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry. It's so hard to lose a beloved pet. You gave him a great life. Hugs to you and your wife, and head scritches to Dylan. {{{}}}

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  2. oh, I am so sorry about Oliver. He was obviously a precious and loving part of your family. I'm sending hugs your way, I know how awful it is to let go of one so loved.

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  3. I'm so sorry, losing a pet is indescribably sad. But Ollie knew he was loved and was surrounded by it until the very last day and that's as much as any of us can ask for.

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  4. My heart completely goes out to you. I lost both my beloved dogs last year within two months of each other (and they had been together for 12 years). It wrecked me even though as they were getting up in years (14 and 13 respectively) I was preparing for it.

    I'm not sure how you plan to memorialize your sweet Oliver, but I bought engraved river stones in honor of both of my dogs. They are lovingly placed in my garden out back and I smile whenever I see them.

    I ordered one from http://www.oldworldstones.com/ and the other from
    http://sandcarvedcreations.com/.

    I wish you unfading memories of your time with him.

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  5. I am so sorry, honey, you must be devastated. Many hugs.

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  6. I'm so sorry about Oliver's passing. :( You gave him a long, full life filled with lots of love and friendship, and that's priceless. We had a similar experience about two months ago with one of our cats, and it was so unbearable to watch her decline, to see her in such an utterly unfamiliar and uncharacteristic state. It's just heartrending. It's been 2+ months, and our house still feels empty in her absence. Thinking of you guys...

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  7. Oh sweetie I'm so so sorry....the loss of a pet is a tragedy, no other being is capable of loving with no conditions. Sending you love and hugs. Fran

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  8. Oh tgal, I am so so sorry you have lost your beloved Oliver. What a beautiful and handsome boy he was. Your words were a wonderful tribute to him--made me tear up. You gave him such a long and happy life. I can't imagine how hard last Friday was. I have only had the experience of losing pets that were family pets as I was growing up. I can't imagine how awful it will be when the day comes that we have to lose one of our brood now that we are adults. Hugs to you.

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  9. I am so sorry. What a beautiful dog and special soul in your lives. (((hugs)))

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  10. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Oliver. This post was so touching, and made me tear up (if I wasn't at work right now I would definitely be crying). Just this morning I started crying in the bathroom because I was remembering my dog Princess who passed away more than a year ago. Even though we got another dog soon after because we couldn't stand the silence in the house, I will always grieve the loss of Princess. I'm just grateful to have had the few years I had with her at all.

    Please take care of yourselves, and Dylan too. Hugs to you all.

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  11. I am so sorry. Dogs' souls are so pure, the heart just aches to lose them. You are such a goopd strong person to give him the best life he could have. I hope that your family (including Dylan) feel at peace with his loss and can help each other heal.
    hugs.

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  12. (((((HUGS))))))))

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  13. Oh no! I'm so sorry. It's so devastating when you have to let one of your furry family members go. It sounds like he was a great dog and had an amazing life with you.

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  14. I am so sorry. So hard to loose such a friend like that.
    ~hugs~

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  15. I'm so sorry. He sounds like he was an amazing dog. It's so hard to lose a pet.

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  16. I am so sorry!. Sounds like your fella was well-loved and lived a happy life. It hurts so much to lose a dear pet/

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  17. Losing a beloved pet is like losing a child. No matter how expected, it is still devastating. I am so sorry for your loss. Much love and hugs to you during this difficult, difficult time.

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  18. I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss of your dear, dear Oliver. My heart breaks for you both - I couldn't even read your sweet post without crying.
    I lost my beloved Hershey this year on May 17, 2010 and writing his blog tribute post was the single most difficult day of my life. I loved him with all my heart and soul.

    My Hershey also left behind a surviving brother - Skippy. In the 2 months that have passed, Skippy has grieved for the loss of his best friend and companion. I often find myself commenting on how much different Skippy is in personality now that Hershey is gone from this world.

    I hope that you can find some peace and comfort without your dear Oliver and I just wanted to send my love your way.

    *LFCA*

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  19. Girl, I am so sorry. Your poor baby.

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  20. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  21. Here from LFCA - I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your partner.

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  22. I am so sorry. I pray Oliver is resting in peace and running pain free.

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  23. I'm so, so sorry for the loss your family is suffering. Dogs are such incredible companions & it is so painful when they leave us. Sending thoughts, prayers, & love your way. May you find peace in the loving memories you shared with Oliver & in the knowledge that you gave him a wonderful loving home while he was on this earth.

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  24. Coming from a supreme dog lover my heart goes out to you all. They are such wonderful creatures and bring so much joy.

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  25. Oh, I'm so sorry about Oliver. You wrote such a beautiful post about your sweet boy. Our pets are such a huge part of our lives and it's bewildering to try to face the days without them. Lots of love to you all.

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  26. Sorry to come in so late - I am slowly making my way through 250+ posts in a neglected reader. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your post is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful life. I know you will miss him terribly. *hugs*

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  27. I'm so sorry about Oliver. Unconditional love is such a gift, and dogs seem to be the best givers.

    But I also want to wish you a happy wedding week! I hope you have lots of wonderful time together, and many blessings on this new chapter in your lives.

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  28. I'm so sorry, nothing can prepare you for the loss of a dear friend. Lots of (((hugs))) to you, Susan and Dylan.

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