13 replies to this topic

[xxrielayxx]

Hi All,
I don't usually vent on here but I'm having a major meltdown and I just need to let it out even if no one reads this post.

Angus, my dog, who is my best buddy and most faithful companion, just turned 11 years old June 9th. Not even a week later he started acting weird and not eating his food so I took him to the vet where he was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy (Heart Disease). The doctor said he had a maximum of 6 months left but because the disease comes on so quickly many dogs only make it a few weeks. :crying:

Needless to say, I was devastated. I've never had to fight so hard to hold back tears than I did at the vet's office. My poor Gus was perfectly fine a few days ago and now he's on death's door with no chance of finding a cure for this horrible disease.

Now, the reason I am having anxiety is because Vibes is coming up in 40 days or so and I REALLY want to go, I bought my tickets months ago in preparation, but my biggest fear is that I am going to be there when my dog passes away and I won't be able to get home to see him.
I don't know what to do. I want to spend as much time with Angus before he passes away so I don't know if I should go to the festival.

Sorry for ranting, I'm just heartbroken/anxious/worried/etc and I really need a hug and some good vibes for my sick buddy, Angus.

Thanks for listening.

[georgi]

(((Angus)))

SO sorry to hear about your best friend.

The only advice I can offer is Vibes will happen every year. If your dog might not make it past 6 months, spend the most time that you can with him. I was away on vacation 2 summers ago when my cat, Nibbons, age 14, passed away at the kennel. I was devastated.

Best of wishes to you. Please keep us updated on Angus. I will keep him in my thoughts.

[cj]

how is angus doing?

[everythingisso]

poor puppy. i hope he's doing ok

[xxrielayxx]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the well wishes for Angus. He's doing a lot better now, he's started taking a few different medications and he seems to be back to his happy normal self. While this is great news, I have to keep reminding myself that there is no cure for Heart Disease so he still does not have a lot of time left.

I hope you all had a blast at Vibes this year, Gus and I chilled out at home that weekend.

Thanks again,
love Ari and Angus.

[nancykind]

glad your pup is doing better. i have a cat with cardiomyopathy and he's been on meds for over 5 years now. it was absolutely awful and horrifying the week it kicked in. i'll tell you that the disease changes and the meds may very well get changed too over time. it's absolutely no reflection on you or the care you're giving, it's just the nature of cardiomyopathy. "the disease is not static" the very excellent specialist that i'm blessed with says to me. are you in nys? he goes around to different vets to do the ultrasounds. Zevon is doing really really well and is the happiest cat ever. he is on baby aspirin, diltiazem, atenolol and we started enaloprin just last year. he is amazingly good about taking his pills and i can't even express how grateful i am for that!

with dedication - and it's not always easy, cheap or convenient to keep up on the meds and checkups - the disease can actually be managed pretty well. if you have any questions, i'd be happy to answer if i can. keep up the good work!

[insolent cur]

[sarah b.]

[xxrielayxx]

Hello Everyone!

Just thought I'd thank you again for the healing vibes. Angus just went to the vet last night and the Doc said he is doing great. He gained 5lbs (putting him at 85lbs total) so he's back up to being the hearty old man he once was haha. The Doc also said that he is doing so well that he doesn't need to come back for a check up for another 2 months! He's happier now which is great.

In fact, he's so happy that he didn't even get mad at me when I dressed him up like a girl using (my other [female] dog) Lucy's bandana. haha

[TEO]

Hooray!

[georgi]

[sarah b.]

yay!

[vinandtonic]

[Gwendolyn]

that's awesome!!!! Yeah Angus & Lucy!!!