For Chai and Pam

I received a sad e-mail over the weekend. Pam wrote to tell me that Chai, her Chesapeake Bay Retriever with degenerative myelopathy, had died. It was sad, but not surprising considering the progressive nature of this nasty disease. I was surprised though by the last few posts on Pam's blog about Chai. It's remarkable how devoted some people are when it comes to their dogs.

I often get questions from people with older or sick pets about euthanasia. Mainly they want to know how they can tell when it is time, if all else fails, to end their pet's life in a humane way.

 

I think some people are looking for permission to do something they really don't want to do. They need a little help with the decision. We struggled with the same issues with Darcie at the end and it seems there's always some lingering guilt. "We could have held out a little longer," the thinking goes. "It would have been nice to have another week or even a weekend." But eventually the time comes when the inevitable is inescapable.

 

So it was with Pam and Chai. In the end Chai was totally incontinent. She couldn't control her bowel movements or her bladder. The smell of pee was a constant for Pam in the last year. She handled that with courage and a smile. She even tells of taking Chai into our local bike shop to get the tire on his wheeled cart fixed. Chai let go with a big puddle of pee right there in the shop.

 

I know the boys at the shop well. I spend most of my disposable income there. I was happy with the way they handled the situation. No rancor, just a smile and a wad of paper towels. They had repaired the tires on Chai's cart before and they knew that if Chai and Pam could put up with all this, they could handle a little pee.

 

Pam intimates that her local vet had recommended euthanasia early on in the disease process. I get the feeling from Pam that the vet didn't understand that Pam was more than willing to do whatever it took to keep Chai around. After all, he was still happy and with the help of his cart and other tools, he could still go for walks.

 

Pam bought her cart from a place called Doggon Wheels. They make a line of products for people like Pam. People with dogs that are either permanently or temporarily unable to get around on their own. I came across another outfit like this recently. Pet MRC or Pet Mobility Rehab Center, makes carts and a host of accessories for dogs and cats with injuries or illnesses that make normal walking impossible. I spoke with the owner and she had plenty of stories like Pam's. They tell of a Chihuahua named Wheely Willy that lived 18 years with hind limb paralysis, thanks to his special cart.

 

Unlike Pam's Vet I try not to make judgments about other people and their personal decisions. The end of life decision is highly personal and has to be made by those closest to the pet. I was inspired by Chai. The first time I saw him walking around the camp ground at Chaco Canyon I thought that's an amazing dog. That's a happy dog. I'd like to meet the person walking with him. I wasn't disappointed after a few minutes chatting with Pam. Caring for Chai's special needs was a no brainer for her.

 

In the end though, Pam knew it was time. Chai had bladder infections and stones due to her loss of bladder function. She was developing dementia and she had stopped drinking. She was no longer happy. She was suffering. It was time.

 

Chai had lived a great life and Pam had given him an extra couple of years. My guess is that Pam wouldn't trade the last year for anything.

 

Pam entered Chai's photo in a contest at our local humane society. You can vote for Chai here. It costs a buck a vote and it goes to a good cause. I voted this morning.

Comments

[Dr Larry]

Thanks for your comment. I saw Pam walking around town yesterday and she's holding up pretty well.

[Margs Animals.]

Pam sounds like a wonderful person and I am sure that Chai appreciated his great human. We are so sorry that Chai got tired and just couldn't go on any more. It is really hard to make that decision at the end but most of the time,we do know when the time is right. I can tell by the look in their eyes that they are really tired of fighting to stay alive. Pam we are thinking about you, many woofs and purrs, even some Hee Haws.