Thread: From green beans to dying and hospice patients!

John Kuthe wrote:

>Only on RFC!!

Not really. Many groups are like this.

On Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:22:31 -0400, George M. Middius
<[email protected]> wrote:

>John Kuthe wrote:
>
>>Only on RFC!!
>
>Not really. Many groups are like this.
>

I know. Like drunken conversation. Sometimes it's fun (and other times
impossible) to try and trace how we got to talking about "this" from
what we had originally started talking about.

That's the beauty of Usenet! The audit trail!!

John Kuthe...

On Mar 22, 9:17*am, John Kuthe <JohnKu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Only on RFC!!
>
> ;-)
>

Huh, what?

Dying people don't eat.

spamtrap1888 wrote:
>
> On Mar 22, 9:17 am, John Kuthe <JohnKu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Only on RFC!!
> >
> > ;-)
> >
>
> Huh, what?
>
> Dying people don't eat.

Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. Maybe you feel so bad that you
don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. My animals had to be hand-fed
with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. I was
in denial and kept hoping they might recover. Other people probably would
have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
longer than necessary.

I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
better.

Gary

On 3/22/2012 2:06 PM, Gary wrote:

> Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. Maybe you feel so bad that you
> don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
> dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. My animals had to be hand-fed
> with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. I was
> in denial and kept hoping they might recover. Other people probably would
> have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
> and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
> longer than necessary.
>
> I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
> sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
> better.

Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.

nancy

On Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:18:13 -0400, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail>
wrote:

>On 3/22/2012 2:06 PM, Gary wrote:
>
>> Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. Maybe you feel so bad that you
>> don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
>> dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. My animals had to be hand-fed
>> with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. I was
>> in denial and kept hoping they might recover. Other people probably would
>> have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
>> and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
>> longer than necessary.
>>
>> I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
>> sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
>> better.
>
>Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
>most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
>by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
>Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
>sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.

Sorry to hear about Moxie Nancy. Our little guy will be two next week
and has done a fine job of owning our hearts.

Lou

On 3/22/2012 3:59 PM, Lou Decruss wrote:
> On Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:18:13 -0400, Nancy Young<replyto@inemail>
> wrote:

>> Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
>> most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
>> by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
>> Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
>> sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.
>
> Sorry to hear about Moxie Nancy. Our little guy will be two next week
> and has done a fine job of owning our hearts.

Oh, thank you. Yeah, that is a little cutie you have there,
I forget his name. Really sweet.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:
>
>>On 3/22/2012 2:06 PM, Gary wrote:
>>
>>> Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. Maybe you feel so bad that you
>>> don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
>>> dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. My animals had to be hand-fed
>>> with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. I was
>>> in denial and kept hoping they might recover. Other people probably would
>>> have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
>>> and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
>>> longer than necessary.
>>>
>>> I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
>>> sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
>>> better.
>>
>>Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
>>most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
>>by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
>>Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
>>sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.

I'm so sorry about your Moxie.

I've lost several cats over the years and it never gets easier. My
Mooch is 21 soon to be 22, she has a thyroid condition that I medicate
for twice a day and she's doing well, in fact she has become more
active lately. I don't expect her to last too much longer but one
never knows. Mooch still patrols and mouses at night:
http://i41.tinypic.com/2a7bgnd.jpg

On Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:59:23 -0500, Lou Decruss
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:18:13 -0400, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail>
>wrote:
>
>>On 3/22/2012 2:06 PM, Gary wrote:
>>
>>> Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. Maybe you feel so bad that you
>>> don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
>>> dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. My animals had to be hand-fed
>>> with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. I was
>>> in denial and kept hoping they might recover. Other people probably would
>>> have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
>>> and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
>>> longer than necessary.
>>>
>>> I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
>>> sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
>>> better.
>>
>>Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
>>most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
>>by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
>>Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
>>sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.
>
>Sorry to hear about Moxie Nancy. Our little guy will be two next week
>and has done a fine job of owning our hearts.
>
>Lou

I have no idea how old Kitty is. I kinda inherited her, as she's lived
in the house longer than I have:

http://oi53.tinypic.com/zsr1c9.jpg

We just woke up from our Kitty Nap, a skill she taught me over our
past few years together. Not really a sleep, more of a 1/2 hour or so
afternoon siesta, where we snuggle and purr and then kinda go silent
in a very very relaxed kind of a twilight zone rest. Very relaxing,
very refreshing!

Now for that third cup of coffee, and get some pre-studying done for
my ACLS class and certificatioin this Sunday! (I might as well do
something good for my nursing career while I'm not working! ;-) )

John Kuthe...

On Mar 22, 12:18*pm, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail> wrote:
> On 3/22/2012 2:06 PM, Gary wrote:
>
> > Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. *Maybe you feel so bad that you
> > don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
> > dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. *My animals had to be hand-fed
> > with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. *I was
> > in denial and kept hoping they might recover. *Other people probably would
> > have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
> > and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
> > longer than necessary.
>
> > I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
> > sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
> > better.
>
> Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
> most adorable cat Moxie. *I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
> by giving her chicken broth. *It only works for a while. *I'd seen the
> Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. *Maybe I should have taken her in
> sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. *Damn, they break our hearts.
>

Eve chronically ill pets can live to be old nowadays. As long as they
are eating and pooping OK, and still seem to be enjoying their lives,
we don't make that last trip to the vet. The instant they seem to be
suffering, we take them in.

On Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:07:57 -0400, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail>
wrote:

>On 3/22/2012 3:59 PM, Lou Decruss wrote:
>> On Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:18:13 -0400, Nancy Young<replyto@inemail>
>> wrote:
>
>>> Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
>>> most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
>>> by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
>>> Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
>>> sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.
>>
>> Sorry to hear about Moxie Nancy. Our little guy will be two next week
>> and has done a fine job of owning our hearts.
>
>Oh, thank you. Yeah, that is a little cutie you have there,
>I forget his name. Really sweet.

He's Quinn. He was born in a shed by an alley on Quinn street in the
south side of Chicago. His mother was a stray but not feral. He's
pushing 20 pounds so I guess he's not really a little guy anymore.

Lou

"spamtrap1888" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> On Mar 22, 12:18 pm, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail> wrote:
>> Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
>> most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
>> by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
>> Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
>> sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.
>>
>
> Eve chronically ill pets can live to be old nowadays. As long as they
> are eating and pooping OK, and still seem to be enjoying their lives,
> we don't make that last trip to the vet. The instant they seem to be
> suffering, we take them in.

Oh yes I so feel for you Nancy. I have a beautiful Border Collie who is
over 15 yo and we watch her day to day. She is still excited to go out and
so long as she is, we will keep her I understand exactly what you say,
Nancy and I do agree with spamtrap. I too will keep my girl so long as she
seems to enjoy life. I think you did exactly the right thing and she
enjoyed her life with you, til the last

Hugssssssssssssssssssssss


--
http://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

On Mar 22, 3:18*pm, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail> wrote:
> On 3/22/2012 2:06 PM, Gary wrote:
>
> > Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. *Maybe you feel so bad that you
> > don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
> > dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. *My animals had to be hand-fed
> > with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. *I was
> > in denial and kept hoping they might recover. *Other people probably would
> > have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
> > and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
> > longer than necessary.
>
> > I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
> > sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
> > better.
>
> Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
> most adorable cat Moxie. *I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
> by giving her chicken broth. *It only works for a while. *I'd seen the
> Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. *Maybe I should have taken her in
> sooner but sshe kept purring when I pet her. *Damn, they break our hearts.

I am sure that cat knew nothing but love and devotion all her life.
I'm sorry your girl has gone on ahead. It's tough, I know. That trip
to the vet is one of the toughest we have to take. I hope your pain
is soon replaced by just good memories of her. Fly free, sweet Moxie.

On 22-Mar-2012, spamtrap1888 <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Mar 22, 9:17*am, John Kuthe <JohnKu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Only on RFC!!
> >
> > ;-)
> >
>
> Huh, what?
>
> Dying people don't eat.

But sin eaters do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin-eater
--

Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

"Lou Decruss" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..

> He's Quinn. He was born in a shed by an alley on Quinn street in the
> south side of Chicago. His mother was a stray but not feral. He's
> pushing 20 pounds so I guess he's not really a little guy anymore.

Enjoy every day you have him)

--
http://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

"Kalmia" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> I am sure that cat knew nothing but love and devotion all her life.
> I'm sorry your girl has gone on ahead. It's tough, I know. That trip
> to the vet is one of the toughest we have to take. I hope your pain
> is soon replaced by just good memories of her. Fly free, sweet Moxie.

Oh yes!


--
http://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

On 22/03/2012 5:03 PM, spamtrap1888 wrote:
>>
> Eve chronically ill pets can live to be old nowadays. As long as they
> are eating and pooping OK, and still seem to be enjoying their lives,
> we don't make that last trip to the vet. The instant they seem to be
> suffering, we take them in.
>

My old Belgium Shepherd was getting on in years. He was still eating
though crapping seemed to be a problem, more to do with his decreasing
ability to squat long enough. He still enjoyed his 1-2 mile morning walk
with my wife and our other dog. I thought that we might have been going
deaf because if he got too far behind on the walk he seemed to have
trouble figure out where were we. I was wrong on that one. He was
looking in the right direction but apparently not seeing. We figured
that out when we realized that he tended to walk along the edge of the
grass and the driveway or sidewalk rather than taking more direct
routes. He was going by the contrast of the light and the dark.

One night he was stepping over a cushion and stumbled. His back leg
sticking out sideways and he was yelping in pain. We contacted the
emergency veterinary clinic. It was an expensive trip because it was the
emergency clinic. They said they could medicate and hope to stabilize
him and after a few days they could see what the problem was, whether
there was a dislocation or a broken bone. However.... they also detect
a tender lump in his abdomen, likely a tumor.

The life expectancy for the breed was 12-14 years and he was 14-1/2.
There was nothing to be gained by extending his suffering.

Nancy Young <replyto@inemail> writes:

> On 3/22/2012 2:06 PM, Gary wrote:
>
>> Actually dying creatures DO stop eating. Maybe you feel so bad that you
>> don't care to or maybe (with animals, at least)...maybe they know they are
>> dying so stop eating to end it all quicker. My animals had to be hand-fed
>> with liquid food in a syringe. It kept them going for a little while. I was
>> in denial and kept hoping they might recover. Other people probably would
>> have had them put to sleep as the humane thing to do. I was stubborn though,
>> and selfish I guess. I didn't want to lose them so much that they suffered
>> longer than necessary.
>>
>> I held them both in my arms for the last several hours of their lives. I'm
>> sure that was somewhat comforting to them but a quick death would have been
>> better.
>
> Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
> most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
> by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
> Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
> sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.

It's a hard call, when it's time to end it. If they're showing signs of
enjoying some things, and not in distress much of the rest of the time,
I generally don't think it's time yet (it's always a question of the
exact individual situation of course).

Yeah, we really bond with the little beasts (mostly cats for me, but
people do it just as much with dogs), which is nice much of the time,
until the end.
--
David Dyer-Bennet, [email protected]; http://dd-b.net/
Snapshots: http://dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/data/
Photos: http://dd-b.net/photography/gallery/
Dragaera: http://dragaera.info

On 3/22/2012 5:17 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>
> "spamtrap1888" <[email protected]> wrote

>> On Mar 22, 12:18 pm, Nancy Young <replyto@inemail> wrote:
>>> Man, I just went through that a couple three weeks ago, lost my
>>> most adorable cat Moxie. I did the same thing, tempted her to eat
>>> by giving her chicken broth. It only works for a while. I'd seen the
>>> Xrays so I knew she was hopeless. Maybe I should have taken her in
>>> sooner but she kept purring when I pet her. Damn, they break our hearts.

>> Eve chronically ill pets can live to be old nowadays. As long as they
>> are eating and pooping OK, and still seem to be enjoying their lives,
>> we don't make that last trip to the vet. The instant they seem to be
>> suffering, we take them in.

While she didn't seem to be in pain, not that you can tell with
pets anyway, she stopped eating and stayed in her little cave (don't
ask, heh) all the time. Having seen what was wrong, I knew she was
getting worse.

> Oh yes I so feel for you Nancy. I have a beautiful Border Collie who
> is over 15 yo and we watch her day to day. She is still excited to go
> out and so long as she is, we will keep her I understand exactly what
> you say, Nancy and I do agree with spamtrap. I too will keep my girl so
> long as she seems to enjoy life. I think you did exactly the right thing
> and she enjoyed her life with you, til the last
>
> Hugssssssssssssssssssssss

Thanks, Ophelia, I know what you mean about watching. It was very
hard taking her but I knew it was what had to be done. Every pet owner
goes through it. Doesn't hurt any less.

nancy