I was on edge all yesterday until it was time to go to the Vet. Obviously Rhea hadn't gone out in the morning but I went to put her on lead but she really didn't want to move. We managed to go to the car very slowly but then she didn't want to climb the 3 stairs. I couldn't carry her and we surely needed to go to the Vet. It took a lot of persuasion but I eventually got her into the car. I don't think she was badly hurting, she just wanted to rest.
When we arrived at the Vet, I installed the stairs, opened the boot but she wouldn't move. She wanted to be left in peace and she even wouldn't get up. So I thought the Vet would have to take her out. I closed the car again and walked into the surgery.
I barely had time to show my face at the reception, I went to take a sit and then I broke down in tears.
There is something strange with crying in public places because most people look embarrassed like you would have done something wrong. They keep on staring at an invisible point in front of them as if looking at you would make crying contagious.
I surely was trying to control it but there was no way. The woman close to me put her hand on my arm and asked if I was OK. I wasn't obviously but she started talking to me, asking short questions and getting me to talk. She was saying she understood this agony of seeing your dog getting worse and I believe she did because her dog had cancer. Bless her, she managed to calm me down. I never met her before, such a kind soul, she even waited after her turn to see how I was.
When the vet saw me, I could see on his face he thought Rhea was dead and I felt so guilty about it. Anyway we went to get her from the car. He said she did dislocate her hip according to what I described and what he felt but he said it's back in. He confirmed that there are serious risks for a total hip replacement at her age as it's a big operation and he said I really would have to think twice about it. He would have to send us to a specialist anyway. We talked about how helping her with some smaller operations to consolidate it but we decided to let her be for the moment and even not to do any X-Ray as she was distressed enough.
He also said that the hip dislocation is likely to happen again and it might not go back into place automatically by itself. His advice was that I always take a phone with me and have somebody ready to come to our rescue with a wheelbarrow. Although he was serious he managed to get a smile out of me.
We went away with a cortisone spray for her skin and I think it does work well.
She is now house bound for a week with only going into the garden on lead. We have plenty of cats around here and we can't afford she even tries to chase one.
Last night I talked to Dennis on Skype and it was good to be able to share with him.
He made me realize what I already knew and would advise any of my friend but didn't think about applying to myself : If you stay in an emotional state, you can't help somebody else. So I added a bit of rational to my attitude, had a good breathe, went to bed early and we all 3 woke up past 8, what did us really good.
I think what happened to my Dad also made me more fragile to handle this situation with Rhea, but if there is only one positive point when being down it's that as they say : The only way I up !
This morning I left Rhea home and went to the park with Bubbles. It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny as I needed it to be.
Although autumn isn't there yet there are already some signs that it will be on its way soon as part of the grass is getting yellower.
I can't leave the garden door open when I am upstairs as Rhea might be up to nonsense, so I have changed my program and instead of studying on the computer all morning, I decided to spend an hour in the garden reading my notes, so Rhea can lay in the sun, what she loves and I can keep an eye on her too. That worked well. I have to start counting positive points now !
Project 365+1 - Day 235 : Star
Without any doubt, a photo of my Rhea who has been the unintentional star of the past days.
Take care everybody, xxx
4 comments:
She's a superstar. More hugs today. Everyone in the vets would have totally understood your difficult moment- and how lovely that the lady came over to you.
and what a lovely star Rhea is x
She is wonderful. The lady who talked to you at the vet as well. I wish you all the best.
The kindness of strangers is awesome isn't it.
Well done on staying strong for Rhea, it is so hard isn't when you just want to howl at the moon. xxx (((hugs)))
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