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Author
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Topic: Being a Grown Up...
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***norm
Member # 86
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posted May 04, 2004 06:53
I don't like being a grown up. It is no fun. I didn't have to be a real grown up until last night, and I have been sick to my stomach ever since. You see, I have done grown up things for a while now. I have a "career" job, I own a house, I proposed marriage, I am even waiting for the birth of my first child. They are pretty grown up things, one would think. Nope, not at all. Those are all very easy things to do. Trust me. Last night, I had to make the decision as to whether I would spend a chunk of money I don't really have to try a very risky treatment for my little dog, or decide to do the more humane thing and put my little dog down. See, my dog got heartworm. She probably got it before we adopted her (as she has been on the preventative sice we got her) but it laid dormant until sometime last year. Now it is pretty well spread through her organs, and she is dying. If we go through the treatment to kill the heartworms, which is dangerous for hyper little dogs, and it works, then there is still a tremendous risk for the dead worms to break loose and cause a heart attack or stroke.
In addition to all of the risks, as I mentioned earlier it is also expensive. Weighing all of those things, taking into consideration all of the needs of the new baby as well as the dog, the only option I have is to put my little dog to sleep. I honestly have never, in my life, felt worse about a situation than this one. I hate being a grown up.
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•Taking money from religious people is like beating retards at checkers.
• Alcoholics Anonymous is to Jesus Freaks what still water is to mosquitos
•* I understand war for some reasons. Land, money, a girl, that can be understood. Now war over god, that's a whole different issue. There is no way I can justify a war over who has a better invisible friend.
Posts: 238 | From: Norm's Ghetto House | Registered: Nov 2001
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Colonel Klink
Member # 78
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posted May 04, 2004 13:58
I agree with the munkey and trying to weigh both sides, I reallize that it's not a grown-up attitude to either put the dog asleep (giving up) or let her live (refusing to face difficulties). Actually, deciding of some living being's fate, die or live, is such a difficult choice that we can'st stand it and often put it in the hands of Fate/God or whachamaycallit . It's such a hard choice that even you Norm had to convince yourself with all the logical reasons you could find. And I'm pretty sure that, even if you think you made the right choice, there's this lil doubt that bugs you in the back of your head. That doubt prolly makes you a grown-up. But someone had to take this responsability. That makes you a grown up. I'll always remember when my dad had my dog put to sleep. He was sad and troubled inside. But he still had to look serious and calm and reasonable in front of us all. That day, he looked like a grown-up and I admired that. My new dog is old now, almost 15 y.o and every day I see her looking more and more like a cripple, sleeping so much she doesn't hear me when I arrive. In some months, hopefully years, my family and I will have to face that troubled time again and everyday I prepare myself for that, thinking to myself she had almost the best life a dog could have (a better life than dubya at least) and that will help me when the times comes and the logic won't be at hand. I don't know if I could have done what you've done, I'm too much of a wuss. Maybe it's the fact that a dog is so devoted to you and puts so much trust in you. Really sorry, Norm.
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Industrial Revolution has flipped a bitch on Evolution.
Posts: 665 | From: Stalag 13 | Registered: Oct 2001
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***norm
Member # 86
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posted May 06, 2004 13:55
Well, today was the day. I almost threw up when I had to hand her over to the vet. But, I really know that what I did was right. We found out after more research that after the initial treatment, the dog had to stay lazy for 12 weeks. She was a Jack Russel Terrier. IMPOSSIBLE. So, although it was incredibly difficult, it was what had to be done.As for another dog, well, it will be a year or so before we think about it. There is no way I could handle the training process of a new dog and a newborn son at the same time. Not a chance. Thanks for the kind words fellas, they really do mean a lot.
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•Taking money from religious people is like beating retards at checkers.
• Alcoholics Anonymous is to Jesus Freaks what still water is to mosquitos
•* I understand war for some reasons. Land, money, a girl, that can be understood. Now war over god, that's a whole different issue. There is no way I can justify a war over who has a better invisible friend.
Posts: 238 | From: Norm's Ghetto House | Registered: Nov 2001
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***norm
Member # 86
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posted May 07, 2004 10:04
Jody, it is so tremendously hard, but even a day later, it is a bit easier. The reason why it is easier, is that Lisa and I have decided that whenever we are sad about it, we talk about the funny stuff our dog did, or the crazy stuff, or the horrible stuff. They all bring a smile to our faces and make us realize how wonderful an experience it was to even have her for the time that we did. It was worth it, 100%, and I look forward to it again. I just know how hard it can be on an animal when they are in a new environment, and how much atention they need. That is why we are waiting for another dog. I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I hope that they are wrong and that your dog will bounce back. I really do.
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•Taking money from religious people is like beating retards at checkers.
• Alcoholics Anonymous is to Jesus Freaks what still water is to mosquitos
•* I understand war for some reasons. Land, money, a girl, that can be understood. Now war over god, that's a whole different issue. There is no way I can justify a war over who has a better invisible friend.
Posts: 238 | From: Norm's Ghetto House | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted May 04, 2004 08:05
