h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Some of you may know Snowy who was Tuc's and even has here own account here on hootoo U200502.

Anyhoo

Cal's away at the moment and I'm looking after snowy for him. Got up this morning and snowy normally follows me to get let out. She still has not got up.

On going upstairs to investigate why I find that her back legs have gone completely and will not take her weight.

She doesn't seem to be in any pain just can't get up. I went down stairs to fetch her some some and water (she's too heavy for me to carry down stairs). By this time she'd managed to get to the landing, although I'm not sure she walked, judging by the noise she made (loud banging) I think she must have sort of crawled.

Now the question is, has she gone like this because the weather is terribly damp today? Or is this it have her legs finally given up the ghost? As I said she doesn't seem to be in any sort of pain. Now the other thing is, I can't seem to get hold of Cal to tell him whats happening.

Any advice at this point would be much appreciated.


Dax

IMHO I think it's time for the inevitable I'm afraid

Firstly...are you able to get Snowy to a vet? Perhaps a vet's opinion might be good. He/she can advise you what the best course of action is, and if her time is up, at least then you can think of ways to get hold of Cal.

Have you tried to text him? He sent me a text this morning, so I think he's contactable someway.

Do you want any help in trying to contact him?

I'm on msn if you need to chat.

thanks reef

I think his phone is turned off because I've tried that

either that or he's forgot to take it out with him or something. Or though it's probably not a bad thing I'm not looking forward to telling him about this.


I'm going to have to wait for James to come with regards to taking her to the vets, as she is stuck and the top of the stairs and is far too heavy for me to carry.

Is she eating and drinking fairly ok?

Is she licking your hand if it's offered?

If she's doing those things, I would say that you still have some amount of time with her to be able to at least come to terms with whats going to happen.

Give the vet a phone call for advice on how you can make her more comfortable and perhaps a visit to the vets isn't needed...perhaps the vet can leave some tablets (if needed) at reception for someone to collect.

I'm thinking of you Dax. I know a pet is part of a family if it's well loved, and I know Snowy is.

I can only agree with Vicky.

she's been eating and drinking fine, but losing weight. and lets she will lick your hand etc, which is why I don't think she's in any pain with it

Old age is finally taking it's toll with her. If you can stay with her, then do, but I know you've got the baby and it isn't all that easy to.

Give her little loves every now and again.

I assume her breathing is ok atm...not shallow or anything. Is she panting? That's usually a sign of some form of distress.

If nothing like that is present, then I don't think she's as bad as I thought she is.

You know where I am. Please keep us updated

As I said she's fine other that the fact that her legs won't take her weight

have you got something like a skateboard, or anything flat with wheels? a friend of mine hade a rottweiler who's back legs packed up and they had a trolly thing made that supported it's hips and allowed it to get about as it was still perfectly servicable other than that

well that would be up to Cal


But she is very old, 14 infact

i hope everything works out ok and you get hold of cal.

meaning it might be kinder to let her go

Is that you or someone else on MSN Dax?

Hi Reef. It's someone else. He's at Cals house apparently and is an rl friend of Cal's.

go say hiya. He doesn't bite...I don't think

I'll leave it, ta, I know how annoying it is when someone you don't know, using a friends MSN, starts yakking at you

He's quite shy anyway reef *smiles*

Cal's msn logs in automatic when you log on to the internet, hence him putting up his name so you all know it's him and not Cal.

Nuff,

It's just I had my ex's girlfriends baby sitter yakking at me the other night, no matter what I said they just wouldn't leave me alone, I couldn't go offline as I was talking to someone else, so I don't like to jump in and scare people who don't know me

If you really need to get her downstairs, try helping her with a towel under her backside- even if you can't lift her, I'm sure she'll gladly lead you.

Keep us posted...

I hate situations like this. 3 years ago, our 13 year old dog, Spats, got hit by our car and broke his front paw. Since his back legs were very bad already for several years, he could no longer stand up. We brought him to the vet and got an expensive operation done to him. We visited him every day for over a week until he was released and allowed home. But he wasn't getting any better, and so we were forced to accpet the inevitable.