This is so sickening.
It is so unbelievable that killing is considered an achievement. Same goes for fishing and hunting as "sports" or "hobbies". How can killing "for fun" be enjoyable? We are no longer living in the caveman era.
Child matador kills six bulls in Mexico
Yucks!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Most Difficult Call...
The following blog post of an overseas friend had me in tears for a while... As a pet owner myself, I can understand the pain of having to make this difficult and heart-wrenching decision - which is kinder (in this situation) - to hang on or let him go. It is very painful to watch a loved one suffering and wasting away.
For someone who has never experienced the companionship & unconditional love of a faithful pet, I suppose he/she will never truly understand the loss and sorrow... I know for those who have had their special canine/feline family member(s), you'll feel what I felt.
They say all dogs go to heaven... that's where Java is now. RIP.
* * * * *
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Most Difficult Call...
I just made what is possibly the most difficult call of my adult life: the call to schedule an appointment for Java to be euthanized. I'm sitting here with Java at my feet, crying while I type.
Java in the past year has has a number of medical issues: A huge mass in his abdomen, the baby-wipe swallowing incident(s), some type of gastrointestinal issues which caused a large case of the "vapors" emanating from either end and now, diabetes. The diabetes came on suddenly just before the end of the year. One day Java started looking thin, then we noticed he wasn't eating as much, then he wasn't eating at all. He was drinking excessively, and urinating excessively too. He was up at all hours of the night wanting to go outside, probably to drink and pee. We tried feeding him different food, more food, more different food, but he wouldn't eat enough to sustain himself.
One trip to the vet told us he had severe diabetes and was acid ketodotic. His glucose numbers were off the chart. Java has been on insulin since the 2nd, with his doses steadily increasing. We've tried twice now to get a glucose curve to check his response to the increasing insulin doses. These have been to no avail, his numbers are still off the chart. Java is now below 60 pounds, a shell of his former self, all skin and bones. He's now nicknamed "Kate Moss" for his lithe figure. Its easier to laugh about the situation than it is to cry over what we know is coming.
Java can no longer run around, walk up and down more than a handful of stairs and often has trouble getting up off the floor by himself. He spends most of each day in his bed, which has been moved downstairs since he can no longer go up to the bedroom. When he does get up to go outside, its a slow process as he carefully makes his way down the front steps and, sometimes, back up them. The past few nights I have carried him upstairs so he could sleep with us in the bedroom as he has always done. I have also been awaken by him each night to carry him downstairs and outside so he can "do his stuff."
When I picked him up at the vet yesterday we spoke about Java, this treatment and possible outcomes. He's never going to be the same dog again. We can continue to treat him and try to get his diabetes under control, but what else is wrong? What caused this sudden onset of diabetes? At 12 and 1/2 years old, he's a very senior dog. The average lifespan for a lab mix is 10 years.
Last night I knew what the next step should be. Steph and I discussed it ad nauseum, but it wasn't until this evening that we finally were able to make the decision.
The past twelve years have been great. Java has been my companion, my friend, my chick magnet (when he was a puppy!) and a part of my family. He's given me unconditional love, something we all need to learn a little more about. He's been with me as I was a struggling graduate student, trying to find my way in the world. As a grad school dropout, falling into computers and programming. He's been there through many (ex-) girlfriends, a wife, a new dog (Lucy) and the birth of Maya. He was Maya's protector when she was a newborn. I had hoped he'd be around as she grew older, since he is so well behaved with children...
I know I am doing what is best for Java, even though it feels like I am betraying him by failing to take care of him when he is most in need. He was always there for me when I needed him, I feel like I can't do the same right now... This would be so much easier if nature would take its own course, rather than forcing me to make this choice.
We've had a tradition for many years now. On every birthday Java gets an ice cream cone. First it was from McDonald's, later we found that Brewster's Ice Cream does a "dog bowl" which includes a small dog treat. Later this evening I'll be headed to Brewster's to buy Java one last cone. A big vanilla waffle cone, just for him. One last treat for my friend.
May peace be with you Java. You'll always be with me in my memories.
For someone who has never experienced the companionship & unconditional love of a faithful pet, I suppose he/she will never truly understand the loss and sorrow... I know for those who have had their special canine/feline family member(s), you'll feel what I felt.
They say all dogs go to heaven... that's where Java is now. RIP.
* * * * *
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Most Difficult Call...
I just made what is possibly the most difficult call of my adult life: the call to schedule an appointment for Java to be euthanized. I'm sitting here with Java at my feet, crying while I type.
Java in the past year has has a number of medical issues: A huge mass in his abdomen, the baby-wipe swallowing incident(s), some type of gastrointestinal issues which caused a large case of the "vapors" emanating from either end and now, diabetes. The diabetes came on suddenly just before the end of the year. One day Java started looking thin, then we noticed he wasn't eating as much, then he wasn't eating at all. He was drinking excessively, and urinating excessively too. He was up at all hours of the night wanting to go outside, probably to drink and pee. We tried feeding him different food, more food, more different food, but he wouldn't eat enough to sustain himself.
One trip to the vet told us he had severe diabetes and was acid ketodotic. His glucose numbers were off the chart. Java has been on insulin since the 2nd, with his doses steadily increasing. We've tried twice now to get a glucose curve to check his response to the increasing insulin doses. These have been to no avail, his numbers are still off the chart. Java is now below 60 pounds, a shell of his former self, all skin and bones. He's now nicknamed "Kate Moss" for his lithe figure. Its easier to laugh about the situation than it is to cry over what we know is coming.
Java can no longer run around, walk up and down more than a handful of stairs and often has trouble getting up off the floor by himself. He spends most of each day in his bed, which has been moved downstairs since he can no longer go up to the bedroom. When he does get up to go outside, its a slow process as he carefully makes his way down the front steps and, sometimes, back up them. The past few nights I have carried him upstairs so he could sleep with us in the bedroom as he has always done. I have also been awaken by him each night to carry him downstairs and outside so he can "do his stuff."
When I picked him up at the vet yesterday we spoke about Java, this treatment and possible outcomes. He's never going to be the same dog again. We can continue to treat him and try to get his diabetes under control, but what else is wrong? What caused this sudden onset of diabetes? At 12 and 1/2 years old, he's a very senior dog. The average lifespan for a lab mix is 10 years.
Last night I knew what the next step should be. Steph and I discussed it ad nauseum, but it wasn't until this evening that we finally were able to make the decision.
The past twelve years have been great. Java has been my companion, my friend, my chick magnet (when he was a puppy!) and a part of my family. He's given me unconditional love, something we all need to learn a little more about. He's been with me as I was a struggling graduate student, trying to find my way in the world. As a grad school dropout, falling into computers and programming. He's been there through many (ex-) girlfriends, a wife, a new dog (Lucy) and the birth of Maya. He was Maya's protector when she was a newborn. I had hoped he'd be around as she grew older, since he is so well behaved with children...
I know I am doing what is best for Java, even though it feels like I am betraying him by failing to take care of him when he is most in need. He was always there for me when I needed him, I feel like I can't do the same right now... This would be so much easier if nature would take its own course, rather than forcing me to make this choice.
We've had a tradition for many years now. On every birthday Java gets an ice cream cone. First it was from McDonald's, later we found that Brewster's Ice Cream does a "dog bowl" which includes a small dog treat. Later this evening I'll be headed to Brewster's to buy Java one last cone. A big vanilla waffle cone, just for him. One last treat for my friend.
May peace be with you Java. You'll always be with me in my memories.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Goodbye Molly... Goodbye.
收到G的简讯：Molly passed away peacefully awhile ago.. I was beside her.
... ...
我好难过。不用三秒，我哭了。稀里哗啦。
虽然，我们都知道Molly的时日不多。。。
也许，这反而是对她的一种解脱。不用再被病痛折磨。
然而。
心情非常低落。
安息吧，勇敢的你。
哭过的我，会永远记得你。
xoxo
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Love knows no limit.
This vid.. made me.. u know.. yeah, CRY. A love so powerful and beautiful.
The sobbing (roll eyes) continues... even harder.
Some human think that animals are just creatures incapable of emotions - that's utterly naive. All lives are capable of emotions and feelings, even the ants. What you don't see doesn't mean they don't exist. I wish humans will learn to respect all life forms, as well as the environment. The planet does not belong to us only.
The interview with Christian's owners 35 years later.
Part 1
Part 2
The sobbing (roll eyes) continues... even harder.
Some human think that animals are just creatures incapable of emotions - that's utterly naive. All lives are capable of emotions and feelings, even the ants. What you don't see doesn't mean they don't exist. I wish humans will learn to respect all life forms, as well as the environment. The planet does not belong to us only.
The interview with Christian's owners 35 years later.
Part 1
Part 2
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
One Eye, Ugly & Skinny
Maybe he has never felt the human touch but he has always wanted one. Every cat deserves love. From never knowing love to being loved... all lives recognise love when being loved. :)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Max & Moo Moo
I was pretty ill over the past few days and finally found the chance to bring Max to Dr. H last evening. He has been warded tonight so that his two decayed molars can be extracted today or tomorrow. On top of that, he is infested with fur mites. Poor boy. He must be in alot of discomfort and pain. Dr. H gave him a jab to reduce his pain and also applied revolution to tackle his fur mites. He would have to stay for a couple of days until he is well enough to be released.
Judging from the number of teeth left, Max may be older than we thought.
I took the chance to say hello to dear Snowy but she was already soundly and sweetly asleep. I decided I shan't disturb her. :)
I also met Moo Moo, a 6-months old little boy who suffered multiple injuries (maybe fractures included) from being dragged by a car - how awful! I gasped (literally) in horror when I saw how he was injured - why can't some drivers be more vigilant?! Depsite the bandages and stitches, Moo Moo was still spirited and gave a few feeble meows when he saw me. Soon after, he drifted off to dreamland, twitching once in a while - I assumed from the pain/discomfort. The sight of him broke my heart. I hope he gets well very soon. Whoever rescued him (maybe the driver??) deserved commendation.
(I'm trying to get his pic uploaded here. Gimme some time to figure out how my mobile bluetooth works).
Someone brought in a small sparrow with broken wing. So kind of the person. I hope little sparrow will be able to spread its wings and fly again and rejoin his family.
Judging from the number of teeth left, Max may be older than we thought.
I took the chance to say hello to dear Snowy but she was already soundly and sweetly asleep. I decided I shan't disturb her. :)
I also met Moo Moo, a 6-months old little boy who suffered multiple injuries (maybe fractures included) from being dragged by a car - how awful! I gasped (literally) in horror when I saw how he was injured - why can't some drivers be more vigilant?! Depsite the bandages and stitches, Moo Moo was still spirited and gave a few feeble meows when he saw me. Soon after, he drifted off to dreamland, twitching once in a while - I assumed from the pain/discomfort. The sight of him broke my heart. I hope he gets well very soon. Whoever rescued him (maybe the driver??) deserved commendation.
(I'm trying to get his pic uploaded here. Gimme some time to figure out how my mobile bluetooth works).
Someone brought in a small sparrow with broken wing. So kind of the person. I hope little sparrow will be able to spread its wings and fly again and rejoin his family.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
10 Promises To My Dog
10 Promises To My Dog:
1. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
2. Place your trust in me. It’s crucial to my well-being.
3. Be aware that however you treat me I’ll never forget it.
4. Before you scold me for being lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when it’s speaking to me.
6. Remember before you hit me, I have teeth that could hurt you, but that I choose not to bite you.
7. Take care of me when I get old.
8. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.
9. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember I love you…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
