 Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#407763 - 08/07/2019 11:57 PM |
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Reg: 04-13-2016
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Loc: Churchill,Manitoba
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Big hugs to you Mike, so sorry.
Everyday will be a moment to cherish.
I will be thinking of you!
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#407765 - 08/08/2019 04:33 PM |
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Reg: 03-28-2013
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The on going saga of Sam.
The Vet called yesterday to tell me tests confirm Sam has DM or Degenerative Myelopathy. It came as no shock but it was a moment of dashed hope.
Bam, or Sam as I renamed him when he came to me, was an armload at first, just days away from the needle. I have a few scars to attest to his initial attitude. But we grew together.
As I have written before, he has become as a shadow to me. If I go into the garage, he curls up at the door and waits until I come back in. He is seldom more than six feet away from me, and always looking for a rub or scratch. He is the most empathic of dogs, sensing moods and seeking to comfort or be near.
The harshest aspect of DM is that as the body fails the mind and enthusiasm is not lost. It is as if he doesn't seem to realize that he can't run or that he trips over himself, or splays out. He is clearly losing his battle but he challenges it without whine or whimper.
At some time, the Vet, good man that he is, will come to the house, as he has done on other occasions, and will help Sam on his journey. I had thought that visit would be years in the future but it is not to be.
So, Sam and I will continue as though all is right in the world, for it is what it is.
Each day to the fullest.
I am grateful to have this place to just write stuff.
Oh, Mike, thinking of you and Sam, Feeling for you and Sam, LOVING you and Sam...
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Kelly wrote 08/09/2019 07:51 PM
Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#407768 - 08/09/2019 07:51 PM |
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So sorry to hear Sam’s diagnosis, Mike. He is in the best of hands- I wish there was something we could do for you....
Four Feet
Rudyard Kipling
I have done mostly what most men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can’t forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.
Day after day, the whole day through
Wherever my road inclined
Four-feet said, “I am coming with you!”
And trotted along behind.
Now I must go by some other round,
Which I shall never find
Somewhere that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Kelly ]
#407769 - 08/09/2019 08:25 PM |
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Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Candi, what you said really resonates -- "Oh, Mike, thinking of you and Sam, Feeling for you and Sam, LOVING you and Sam... "
Kelly too : Your chosen poem is a perfect one.
We're fortunate to be able to share that pain here -- the pain that we all have to face.
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#407807 - 09/05/2019 09:44 AM |
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Reg: 11-30-2009
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Loc: minnesota
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Kelly, that's a great poem.
These good old dogs really break your heart when they go.
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Kelly ]
#407811 - 09/06/2019 06:34 AM |
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Reg: 07-09-2004
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Kelly,
Kipling had and has it right. Sam struggles to be my shadow.
I must be an awful person because I do not cater to Sam in an overt way.
I encourage him to get on with it even when it is heartbreaking to see him struggle to walk, and is essentially dragging himself to get started, and plops down, and stands shakily. He seems bewildered now and again when he struggles to rise and move.
The blessing is in the absence of pain.
A terrible thing it is, to see such an alive and vibrant spirit so.
He is at my feet, as I type. A constant reminder of his loyalty. My duty is to return the same.
The specter of the decision that will have to be made is always hovering, and at times seems looming. But not today.
And so it goes.
Mike A.
"I wouldn't touch that dog, son. He don't take to pettin." Hondo, played by John Wayne |
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#407813 - 09/06/2019 12:57 PM |
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Reg: 11-30-2009
Posts: 3724
Loc: minnesota
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Don't let it go too long.
I have an old cow right now who is a real pet...she has chronic arthritis. Can't really follow the herd. Loosing weight.
I've let it go too long.
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Betty Landercasp ]
#407815 - 09/11/2019 12:45 PM |
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Reg: 03-28-2013
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Don't let it go too long.
I have an old cow right now who is a real pet...she has chronic arthritis. Can't really follow the herd. Loosing weight.
I've let it go too long.
For Mike:
Yes, please don't let it go too long -- I don't mean to lecture, or judge, or be insensitive in any way ... But dogs suffer the psychological pain of depression, and they feel both humiliation & un-shown fear due to failure of their former physical functions 
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Bob Scott ]
#407833 - 10/02/2019 06:34 PM |
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Reg: 07-09-2004
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Loc: CNY
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The final chapter and verse.
The vet came to the house about an hour ago, and ushered Sam on his way with wonderful sensitivity and consideration. I am grateful.
Tomorrow Sam and I will go to the cabin. Sunday last I started to prepare his final resting place. He will be beside Brio and Freya, and near Wolfgang, Maximus, Gus and Jake the Miserable Cat.
I advised my daughter and wife of my decision, which I made arrangements for yesterday, about an hour before the vet arrived with his technician. I saw no reason for them to increase the duration of anticipation of their pain of loss.
I shall miss Sam greatly. We traveled a rocky road together, and in the end he became the most loyal, attentive and empathic of companions.
The house is quieter this night.
Mike A.
"I wouldn't touch that dog, son. He don't take to pettin." Hondo, played by John Wayne |
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Re: The errant epistle in re Sam
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#407834 - 10/02/2019 06:55 PM |
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Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Oh, Mike, I'm so sorry. As you know, we've all been there.
Its extremely hard to focus on the positive of this experience, but thank goodness Sam had you to help him on his way.
My heart is with you.
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