A lot of us have lost our pets while we have been caring for our Alzheimer's spouses. I thought we might want a memorial for those pets. Please list your beloved pets who have gone on before us.
Diane and her pets lived with me, and she lost her 17 year old Cocker Spaniel, Braxton and her 6 year old Black Lab, Missy the year before I lost her.
Sandy, my White Lab, died at 9 years of age this past Spring.
Taco, my long haired orange kitty of 20 years one week a year ago. He was such a sweet mellow guy and he fought so hard to live. He survived vaccine associated fibrosarcoma which is deadly in cats..he survived for more than 6 years..I think he had a cancer in the end as the vet could fee something in his tummy just before he died...we miss him..I have him posted as my screen on my computer so that has helped a lot...he is with me every day.
Other cats we lost were a Russian Blue ( The Gray Fox) and Missie ( a Tonk) who was 18 when we lost her to cancer. They still come around..I see them from time to time..they come as a little gray ghostlike vision that whisps by...When Taco was alive he would react every time Missie came to visit. Now they both come round.
Over the almost 34 years of marriage, we have only been a couple of months catless..I will always have kitties. There was Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, Pippin, Mangas and Mingo (twins) Foxie, Miss Priss, Missie, Taco and Nacho, Rosie, Scraggles, and now we have Ebonie and outdoors is Mr Peepers and we are soon to be joined with Cookie coming from VA in Nov. We have had several of these little companions during the illness that we didn't recognize yet...
I can say when pet is down as Ebonie is at the moment ( but I think will be ok) when they are out of sorts so are our AD LOs who depend on them for communication and companionship. My DH has been just a wee bit out of sorts these past two days.
I've been caregiver to DH since his Dx with Schizo-Affective Disorder (mental illness) in 1988. I'd had Nixie, my mini Dachshund since 1986, and she saw me through until she crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 1999. In 1994 my white cat, Angela joined us and in 1997, our Siamese mix(Luna) adopted us. She walked in knowing there were 3 dogs and another cat. From then on our's was Luna's House. We were just the caretakers. Angela left me in Luna's care in 2007 (a year after DH's Dx with VaD). The year previous we had adopted 3 kittens because I didn't want Luna to be an only kitty when Angela passed. After Dx I was pushed by Agency workers to reduce the pet population. As a result we then had Angela, Luna, and Johnny Cash. At the same time we had adopted OT, our Boston Terrier, from our niece in 2003. So we were down to 1 dog and 3 cats. In November 2007, 2 months after Angela passed a small tiger kitten was delivered to our porch, and stayed--Sweetie. Again we were back to OT and 3 cats. Luna passed Dec. 20, 2009. I've been missing her heaps, but this last week, DH tried to adopt a stray in the neighborhood, but the stray wants to be an outside kitty. DH will keep helping "Whitey"(the stray) but wanted an inside kitty of his own. Enter, a rescue kitten 8-9 weeks old--China White, aka China. Her Mama and 2 siblings are black and white, but she takes after her Siamese Daddy, sweet little Sealpoint. We're back to OT plus 3, and today China had us laughing as she caroomed all over the living room exploring more of her new domain. She'll probably be the last pet DH will bond with and enjoy, but I expect I'll have these guys a fair long time. As I found with Nixie, these special friends will get you through when there's no one else to talk to, to hold, to hug, to kiss your tears away. And now, tonight, DH will get up in a while and tell me "She's snoring in my ear."
Carosi, no question our furry friends add to our quality of life and help get us through tough times. No doubt China will provide you and Ron great pleasure.
Today my faithful little Chihuahua Bennie has gone to wait for my DH at Rainbow Bridge. 18yrs is a very long time to witness all the trials and tribulations of alzheimers. He was vigilant and protective of his master and commander up til he left us today.
our little furry friends live this dreadful disease right along with us. I feel blessed to have had such love and companionship from him during all these years. He is whole healthy and playing with all our other pets and especially my other baby Trixie, waiting on us at Rainbow Bridge. Til we meet again. divvi
Bennie was the bright spot of divvi's life. His age doesn't matter. He gave divvi a reason to get up in the morning. He gave her love and joy. He will be terribly missed. Divvi-I am so very sorry.
Divvi, I'm so sorry. My dear little Havanese lived through the trials of Foster's Alzheimer's and after Foster died, I feared I'd lose Tigger, too! He didn't eat and had terrible diarrhea. Took him to the vet and he said he was in grief... and just like he (thought) I was taking Xanax, he prescribed some for my little dog. That and anti diarrhea meds got him through the next few weeks.. (I did NOT take Xanax!) Later, I realized that I should have... I moved around on auto-pilot for two weeks ... barely remember. So, no one better tell US that our little dogs don't know what is going on... and I know how much Divvi is going to miss her little "Commander Bennie". I do understand who rules in many of our homes. I weep with you, Divvi.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your "Bennie". Another grieving moment...they give us so much unconditional love for so little in return. They truly are members of our family! Sending hugs your way, Lullie
I know well how it hurts to lose a beloved pet. We lost our Cookie to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on Good Friday last year..and this month I lost her person, my Ozzie, to a cardiac arrest. I always felt she was trying to teach me something...she did and I read the tea leaves...such a shame I was right...Cookie selected Ozzie as HER person....they are together as I put part of her cremains in with him.
Divvi I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved Bennie. For all of you that have to have this happen. I don't know what I would do without my Fuzzy Wuzzy, Runty, Mama, and Scaredum cats, they are all I have now, and they fill a huge void.
Oh divvi, I weep with you too. I am so sorry you've lost your precious Bennie. The heartbreak of losing such a faithful friend is so all consuming. My Reilly is 11 and I am dreading the day he passes over the rainbow bridge. He has brought me such love and companionship since DH was dxd, so I can only imagine your loss. ((((HUGS))) to you and Bennie.
thank you all so very much for your wisdom and words of comfort. yes they are so much part of our lives. they make us laugh and fill the voids of our AD world. all our pets will be sorely missed and we do learn from their passing. it prepares us in a way for what lies ahead at times. thank you all so much. it means a lot to know we are not alone - divvi
I am so sorry divvi. I lost 2 cats within 8 weeks of each other in 2006. I couldn't cry except in the shower because it really upset Gord. We love our furry little friends so much and they are somebody to talk to when we are sad and alone. You are not alone !!!
Awwww Divvi, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Benni ((super tight hugs)) What you said about learning from their passing resonated in my heart. I held our sweet boy Kasey in my arms yesterday while he passed... it was so peaceful, a final lick and words of love.... I can only pray that when our time comes Lynn's passing will be so serene.
I know how deeply it hurts, I am sorry my friend ((hugs))