Love my Cavaliers
Well-known member
I know I won't be able to write this on Friday, so I'm writing it a bit prematurely. We are putting Oliver to sleep on Friday. He has had a good long life. He was 14 years old in March. On Monday morning he had a stroke and couldn't walk, developed a head tilt, no nystagmus, seemed very disoriented, and almost like he didn't recognize us. He did get better over the next 24 hours, but then deteriorated again. He's off his food. He can only walk one to two steps without collapsing. He can't even sit anymore. So, it's time. We're waiting until Friday because my son and daughter-in-law are visiting from the UK and I don't want to spend my last two days with them sobbing.
My husband, daughter, and pet sitter will all be with him (me too) on Friday. The pet sitter is almost as upset as I am, she has known him and cared for him since we brought him home at 12 weeks. I know it's a peaceful process, and I am thankful for that.
Oliver was my introduction to this remarkable breed. He's why I have four! However, I didn't know any better at that time and bought him from a backyard breeder. We even met at a rest area on the highway to make the exchange - dog for money! How naïve! But he's been wonderful. No heart problems, no SM, although lots of disc problems and arthritis. Still, he made it to 14+ years. He's always been a more aloof dog than my other three, choosing to sit alone on the couch when the other three are all curled up in a pack together. But he also craved human interaction. And LOVED walks so that he could pick up pine cones. As soon as he found a pine cone, he would pick it up as a signal that the walk was over, carry it in his mouth the entire way home, and then just drop it once we got home. Funny guy. I will miss him terribly. My heart is already breaking. Thank you for all your support on this board for Oliver and my other three (especially Riley, my SM girl) over the years. It has been so amazing.
Bev
My husband, daughter, and pet sitter will all be with him (me too) on Friday. The pet sitter is almost as upset as I am, she has known him and cared for him since we brought him home at 12 weeks. I know it's a peaceful process, and I am thankful for that.
Oliver was my introduction to this remarkable breed. He's why I have four! However, I didn't know any better at that time and bought him from a backyard breeder. We even met at a rest area on the highway to make the exchange - dog for money! How naïve! But he's been wonderful. No heart problems, no SM, although lots of disc problems and arthritis. Still, he made it to 14+ years. He's always been a more aloof dog than my other three, choosing to sit alone on the couch when the other three are all curled up in a pack together. But he also craved human interaction. And LOVED walks so that he could pick up pine cones. As soon as he found a pine cone, he would pick it up as a signal that the walk was over, carry it in his mouth the entire way home, and then just drop it once we got home. Funny guy. I will miss him terribly. My heart is already breaking. Thank you for all your support on this board for Oliver and my other three (especially Riley, my SM girl) over the years. It has been so amazing.
Bev