Parka is a 12-year-old Maltese dog with congestive heart failure. This little spark of life came to us when he was 12 weeks old from Angie and Larry Stanberry of Divine Maltese, breeders in Louisiana. We drove from Minneapolis where we were living at the time to Slidell, Louisiana to pick up our little pup and it’s been one great road trip ever since.
Parka, also known as P-man, Mr. P, Sparks, Sweet P, and Poof got his original name because we lived in Minnesota when we got him. His registered AKC name is “Divine’s Minnesota Necessity” and, since our Parka has fur that looks and feels like the goosedown which makes parkas so warm, we felt the name was pretty apropos. Of course, you’ll have to forgive me for pointing out the obvious–that our own “Minnesota Necessity” is a master at warming our hearts.
In August of 2008, Parka nearly died of congestive heart failure. We were lucky to get him back and even see him heal to a fairly normal quality of life. Still, there are times when it isn’t so easy and the transition to this point of cautious comfort was a long road. I decided to write this blog about him when I felt deeply alone dealing with a frail and aging friend. Perhaps there are others out there like my husband and me who worry about their furry companions and strive to provide the best care they can until it is time to say the final good-bye.
One frustration I have had when seeking help is the lack of information available for those dealing with an aging pet. There is a lot of information about puppies — lots of support groups, lots of articles, lots of blogs — but when you adopt a puppy, your thoughts are never what life might look like 7, 10, or 15 years later. When the time inevitably does come, there are fewer resources available to provide support, help, and even comfort. My hope for this blog is that it will be one voice in the abyss to provide comfort to those of us with beloved senior pets.
I invite you to join me on the journey, sharing your own stories, experiences and questions along the way.
Peace, hugs, and belly rubs.
~ SR Dryja
Thank you for this wonderful and informative blog about your fur child Parka! I too have older dogs (Mina 16 years suffering CRF, Maya 14 years so far healthy, Hana 14years CHF and having kidney issues due to lasix just like your baby) I felt so alone but reading about your ordeals made me realize that I’m not alone and I’m not a crazy dog lady. I hope Parka is stable and cant wait for more posts!
Thank you, Sachie! Your comment warmed my heart. I started this blog because I felt quite alone myself in having such love for a senior pup but having so few resources available. I hope you’ll stay in touch about your babies. Let me know how Mina and Hana are doing as they hang in there and I will hope with all hope that each, including healthy Maya, will be around as long as possible, with joy and quality of life. Fuzzy puppy smiles to you and yours!
You are so welcome! Parka is a cutie as usual! Another week of stability for my pups. I have started the spiro for Hana and she is responding rather well (your blog gave me the courage to start it in hopes of lowering the lasix which is taking a toll on her kidneys, I could smell the ammonia in her breath) I really liked how you said that you knew it wasn’t going to be easy but never thought it was going to be this hard…I can totally relate! You will never know this feeling unless you have experienced this first hand. I work as a dog groomer so it breaks my heart when owners “purposely” make their pups fat thinking it’s cute and they think it’s doing the dog good by giving them snacks. I think why would you make a perfectly healthy dog sick and prone to illness. I did everything in my power to keep my pups healthy but Hana was born with a heart murmur and Mina did have liver issues and skin problems as a puppy. To alleviate the itching the vet shot steroids which I now think has something to do with her kidney issues.
I, like you enjoy the good days but the bad days hurt so much I was suffering panic
attacks and severe depression. Since then I have changed vets, spoke to an animal communicator and started Mina and Hana on acupuncture and resonant healing. I also syringe organic baby food into their mouths when they just can’t/won’t eat. Each day is challenging but seeing them wag their tails and give me the courage to go on.
Thank you for your support and talk to you again soon! Give Parka some kisses for me!
Oh Sachie, I can totally relate to the pain you’ve experienced with your babies! I’m so sorry, too, that you’ve had to experience it. My guess is, though, that you wouldn’t give up this time with them for anything. No matter how hard it is–and it’s excruciating at times–the alternative keeps pushing you to dig deeper, keep searching. I can see that you do this, even when it pushes you to panic attacks and severe depression. I wish my words could ease your own suffering. All I have, though, is our shared experiences. Maybe knowing you’re not alone will help? Let’s definitely keep talking.
As I read your post, I kept thinking about all the time Mike and I have spent racking our brains to “figure it out” or to come up with something that will help. You do this too. Your pups are *so* special and, even with everything they have going on, they are so blessed to have wound up in your loving care. Our job as caregivers seems like a major exercise in innovation–your idea to use a syringe to feed baby food is brilliant! I’ve been toying with the idea of adding chicken broth to Parka’s water when he has “bad days”.
Tell me, what kind of dogs are your sweeties? Do you have pictures? Ha ha. Silly question. I know you have pictures, but would you care to share them? How are they doing with acupuncture and resonant healing?
By the way, look for Bark Magazine on newsstands, if you don’t already subscribe. I haven’t received my copy yet, but I did see a preview and the upcoming issue is all about Senior Dogs! I can’t wait to see it.
Please give them all warm hugs and kisses from me and please stay in touch. I’ll send you my email address.