Tuesday, October 12, 2010

So soon ?





Wilf is the perfect dog. In the nine and a half years he's been part of the family he's never growled or snarled at us once. Until yesterday. 'The font' took him down to the vets for another check-up. Maybe it was fear, maybe it was pain but for the briefest of moments he lost it. Something must be hurting him - a lot.

Strange symptoms. His breathing has become shallow and rapid. When he lies on his side he is racked with coughing. He's finding it more and more difficult to walk without tiring himself out. He skipped lunch but was ravenous at dinner. His bark has changed from a resonating basso profundo into a high pitched puppy yelp.

A new vet. Five attempts to find a vein. Mental note to make sure that we see 'our man' in future. Some signs of liver and pancreatic problems. The tumour specialist in Toulouse has brought forward the examination to today.

Awake in the small hours listening to his laboured breathing. Good Calvinists say there are no dogs in heaven. They're missing the point. The truth is heaven has already come bounding up to us,muddy pawed, wet nosed, tail wagging, in the selfless, trusting, uncomplicated love of this family fellow.

Can this really be happening again so soon ?

70 comments:

  1. Oh Angus...
    So so sorry to read this - maybe it is part of his pancreatitis issue... and potentially treatable.
    Crossing fingers toes and thinking of you.
    fi

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  2. Oh Angus.
    I am heading to bed with Wilf, and you, in my prayers. And I hope Edward chooses to sleep on my bed tonight. God, I so hope dear Wilf will be alright. Much love your way.

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  3. I'm hoping everything will work out for Wilf. I've so enjoyed watching him throughout the summer.
    Ruth

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  4. Oh, his photos and smile belie the pain and discomfort he is feeling. Indeed, you have heaven on earth in PON form - and I will pray this, too, shall pass from him - leaving him many more years with his family and friends....please, God.

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  5. no. not quite yet. enjoy each day. we will with you.

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  6. omg. i want to give you all hugs. can you feel them from this far away? :(

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  7. It would be too cruel, so I feel sure Wilf will recover. Our own PON nearly died in February from what turned out to be food allergies - that's unlikely to be the case with Wilf, who is a mature dog, but hopefully there will be some equally simple answer. In the meantime, my prayers are with you.

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  8. Oh, I certainly hope that he's having a liver or pancreatic flare up. I have my fingers crossed for Wilf and you! Please know that you're in our thoughts.

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  9. shit! is all we can say... in the hope we will all laugh and everything will infact be ok... LOVES & LICKS xxx

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  10. I just heawd fwom Doyle and Mollie
    I've been away and came back today and am so so vewy sowwy to heaw this,,
    Wilf that sweetie. It must not be..thewe has to be an answew and a solution..I'll be pwaying fow him andyou and fow the dogtow to figoowe out what to do
    paws cwossed and howling at the dogs staw
    smoochie kisses'ASTA

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  11. Oh Angus oh dear. Through our blogs we all share and multiply the enjoyment of living with dogs. The downside is that we also feel the anxiety when one of our blogging friends dogs is ill.
    Sending positive and healing thoughts in your direction today.
    Gail and Bertie.

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  12. Angus, just as I did for your precious Digby, I feel as if Wilf is one of my own dogs. I pray that you are not going through another loss so very soon, and the answers and the cure for Wilf will be found!

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  13. Oh dear, I am so sad for you. Let's hope the scan reveals something treatable and that there is still hope for your beautiful Wilf.

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  14. We are praying for Wilf and we are hoping that the Dr. V.E.T will find out what's wrong can will make him feel better right away.

    We send all our hugs and positive thoughts from all of the piappies here.

    hang in there and get well soon, dear Wilf!

    Piappies Mom

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  15. Oh Angus, every part of my being is screaming NOOOOOOOOO!!

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and the doctors.

    (((HUGS)))
    Lynn

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  16. Mr. Angus,
    This news 'bouts Wilf makes me and mom very sad. We are praying dat he gets better.

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae and mom

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  17. Asta sent us over here. This is very sad to read and must be scary for all of you. I have no advice to offer, but am keeping you in my thoughts.

    Mango

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  18. We join with everyone else in so hoping this is just a flare-up that can be treated. Wilf and you and the font will be in our thoughts and prayers until we know he is OK -- and walking with you through the beautiful France profonde countryside and enjoying hsi favourite pastimes.

    xxxx Joan

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  19. Like the Rocky Creek Scotties, all we can hear is a resounding "No!" Praying that the expert in Toulouse finds something that is quickly curable.

    Love,

    Jane and Petey

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  20. Wilf...hope there is good news today, thinking of you with crossed paws.

    Zach

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  21. Have any of the vets done a chest x-ray looking for congestive heart failure? Rapid breathing is generally a response to pain. If it is CHF it can be managed. A friend of mine has a collie who has this disease and has brought it under control for the past 18 months.

    Nine is just way, too young for any dog to leave this world. And, Calvinists aren't right about everything - if my dogs aren't there in heaven when I walk through the Pearly Gates, I'm leaving and won't come back until I find them!

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  22. NO! We will be sending out so much pawsitive prayer your way. We want little Wilf to get better.

    Nubbin wiggles & hugs,
    Oskar

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  23. Angus, Though we have never met, Digby seemed like our dog as does Wilf.
    We are praying that a determination can be made as to what the problem is and that it can be corrected.
    Our hearts are with you.

    Sheila & Bob
    Mom & Dad
    to Hamish & Rescue Sophie

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  24. Dear Font and Angus, Why now! Our hearts are very heavy today. We will pray for your dear boy. We send more healing wishes on gale force winds. Please know that we are thinking of Wilf.

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  25. Woof! Woof! Crossing my Golden Paws n sending you lots of my Golden Thoughts. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  26. I heard dis over at Asta's and Scout and Freja's so I hads to rush right overs and let you all knows dat we is thinking bouts Wilf...we came by also during da sickness withs Digby and afters he passed too.
    Come on Wilf, you is a fighter!

    Puddles

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  27. No, I insist, it can't be happening... it absolutely cannot. Your family fellow deserves many more years with you and you deserve them too. We're thinking of you, trying to send the power of the paw across the vast ocean. I hope, with all my heart, that Wilf will be cured, soon.

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  28. harroo, we've come to paw our support & offer prayers & pawsitive sibe vibes,
    RA & Isis

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  29. NO!
    We are sending the power of the paw to you and Wilf. It's not fair and it's too soon. Wilf will get better. Pawsitive vibes to you.

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  30. Lots of AireZen is coming your way, Wilf! Our paws are crossed for you!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  31. w00fs, ooo Wilf, get betters please...i sure hope they can figure out what matter wiff u and fix it soon...me is sending my bestest healing vibes to u..

    b safe and get well,
    rocky

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  32. Stuart can't write at the moment - he's too upset.

    He loves reading about and seeing his "big furry blog friend in France with the smiling face" every day.

    So I'm saying it for him through tears of my own: let's all try to be positive until we know what's happening and what can help.

    We're all thinking of you Wilf, Angus and "Font." Call it prayer, good vibes or strength in numbers,by whatever name,it's love we're sending you all.

    Stuart's Peep

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  33. we came over from Scout'n Freyja's blog and we're keeping our paws crossed that Wilf will be better soon.....

    chikisses
    coco and tiffy

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  34. We're here to join the others. With support and prayers for answers and solutions. With love and a great deal of caring.

    Your friends in Colorado
    Jake and Fergi and their moma

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  35. We have just caught up on the news.

    Sending everybit of airezen and positive thoughts. Everything here crossed for Wilf.

    Keep strong.

    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  36. Paws crossed for Wilf. It IS too soon.

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  37. I have so enjoyed your posts since Kim of Laureate Shelties sent me the link over a year ago. My dogs and I are so hopeful that your vet takes care of this quickly and Wilf bounces back.

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  38. Hi we are here from Scout'n Freyja's blog to join in and use the power of the paw, stay strong and god bless.

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  39. Wilf,
    I fear for your beloved Angus and the "Fonts" well being, you need to put your best paw forward and fight this battle. You are the bravest most wonderful Pon and have all our prayers behind you.
    Doc

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  40. We came from Scout'n Freyja's blog. We join in the power of the paw and we will say lots of prayers for Wilf. Lots of love, Holly and mom

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  41. We just came over from Asta's blog. We are so sorry to read this!! Prayers to Wilf and family. We have added Wilf to our Paws of Prayer circle.

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  42. Sorry, we got excited and clicked too soon!

    Woofs and Kisses!
    The Fiesty Three
    http://fiestythree.blogspot.com

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  43. goodness why do dogs break our hearts so.....come on wilfy we all have everything crossed for you..xxx

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  44. We were just visiting Scout N Freya. Sorry Wilf isn't feeling well. WE are keeping all our paws crossed that Wilf gets better soon & that it is NOT serious.
    Loving thoughts
    Ernie,Sasha,Chica

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  45. oh gosh Angus...Mom's stomach just dropped when she read that Wilf has some terrible sickies. Please know that you have all our thoughts and prayers focused on your sweet boy. Its too soon to say goodbye!

    wags, wiggles & healing slobbers
    Murphydog

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  46. Hugs to you and your family! We hope Wilf gets better soon! It's too soon to have another goodbye.

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  47. Angus, I read your post this morning, and I'm just back home from work. I am sending you lots of positive thoughts. Wilf is constantly on my mind...

    Manu

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  48. I've just come from Asta's blog, my thoughts are with you, and sending you positive vibes
    George and Jan x

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  49. Oh Angus,

    I’m so sorry to read that Wilf is not improving. My thoughts are with you, the "font" and Wilf as you visit the specialist today. It is so unfair for Wilf to hurt this way, and I really hope the specialist find out what is causing his symptoms and can make him better.

    Give Wilf a gentle hug from us, and tell him that there are paws and fingers crossed all around the world for him.

    Riley’s mum

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  50. We read about Wilf on another blog and wanted to come over and wish him well. We will keep you in our thoughts.

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  51. Just dropped by to see if there is any news about our dearest Wilfie.

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  52. Sending healing, comforting, positive thoughts!
    ~K

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  53. It's way past our bedtime but we just wan to drop by to check on Wilf. We say a special prayer for you.

    Please please be alright.

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max

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  54. We are so very sorry that Wilf is having some trouble. We are sending you wishes for this not to be serious. Paws crossed for Wilf to be well.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  55. Deaw Wilf
    I came by to see how you awe..I hope all the love and good wishes and pwayews awe helping
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  56. Oh no this is awful! We have our paws crossed for Wilf. Hugs.

    Molly, Taffy and Monty

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  57. Angus,

    I keep popping back to see if perhaps you've left an update about Wilf's condition. He (and you and the Font) have carved a place in our hearts and minds -- and we so hope all will be well.

    xxx Joan

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  58. Sending special terrier zen across to you and your Wilf for a swift and full recovery. Eric

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  59. angus,
    it is too soon, and i'm praying for God to spare sweet wilf. wilf has my continued thoughts and prayers. i hope the specialists can figure out the cause and help him recover.

    the booker man and asa's mama

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  60. Ok, clearly we relaxed our crossed paws too early. they are crossed again and will remain that way until we get the all clear.

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  61. Oh, I hope and pray it's not happening. We haven't been keeping up so well lately, but having heard about this we will be checking and thinking of you all, pretty much constantly.

    love from Lola and family

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  62. angus.....

    stop letting your mind run riot

    thinking of u
    xxxxx

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  63. If love, prayers, hope, positive thoughts and well wishes will cure this, Wilf will be 100% in no time!!
    Hang in there, we are all pulling for the best of news for your family!!

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  64. It doesn't bear thinking, it just doesn't!

    We want to go on may more a jaunt in le Sud-Ouest with you and Wilf. You all are in our thoughts tonight and we hope and pray for better news on the morrow.

    BB and the Maman

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  65. I am crossing my paws and asking every star in the sky to help make a miracle happen for Wilf.
    Scout and Frejya told me,,, about Wilf so I hurried,,,, I send my love to Wilf and to you.
    love
    tweedles

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  66. We heard about Wilf from Anny and wanted to come by to send our purrs and well wishes.

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  67. Oh, we are sending our love to you at this difficult time. He sounds like such an incredible, sweet part of your family. Prayers for him from us.

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  68. We were by a couple of days ago and thought he was doing better. It was a shock to read Asta's blog and find Wilf is so ill.

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