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I’m sitting in the vet’s office, watching Adeline play with Steve’s leash as he lays curled up on my lap. The vet has been beating around the bush but she finally comes out with it, “Steve probably has a year or two to live.” Tears come to my eyes before I can process it. Adeline walks over to us and starts patting Steve’s leg, laughing and smiling at me, oblivious to the terrible news. She loves him so much. Steve is only five years old; he should have another decade to spend with his little human. But he doesn’t. He has kidney failure and in a year or maybe a little more, we’ll have to make the difficult choices surrounding end of life.
Adeline walking Steve, just before the bad news
Adeline will be two or three at that point. She will have spent her first couple years falling in love with Steve, a friendly, cuddly little dog who’s just the right size for her. She’ll be attached to him and she’ll be aware enough to know that something is wrong. I wish I could save Steve and protect Adeline from her first loss. But I can’t.
Steve is David’s dog. Along with Catdog, he came into my life when I met David. He’s an Italian Greyhound – a real Greyhound bred down to miniature through generations of inbreeding. I can’t help but wonder if that has something to do with this. Already both of the dogs are missing all of their teeth thanks to the Italian Greyhound genetics. Poor dogs, it’s not their fault people messed around with nature to create a novelty dog. Catdog is weird. I mean, really, the animal is bizarre. Steve has his share of weirdness, too, but on the whole he’s a sweetheart. It breaks my heart that he’s sick. And even more, it breaks my heart how sad David is about it. And how sad Adeline will be.
David struggled the first few days after getting the news. He scoured the internet for hours to see if there was something the vet was missing. He cuddled Steve any chance he had. And then he came home from work one day with an idea. “I want to make a bucket list for Steve.” Maybe it’s silly, but it will make us all feel better. So here we are, thinking about what to put on a dog’s bucket list. The obvious seems like lots of delicious red meat, but he’s not allowed to have excess protein anymore. So what does that leave?
I’d love to hear any ideas you all have for what we can do for Steve to make his last years as wonderful as possible.
What a beautiful, sad post: I am a dyed-in-the-wool dog lover, owner of a small mutt myself; and to hear of Steve, surrounded by a family who love him and only a short time left is sad. But that he has this family is wonderful: a bucket list! What a fabulous idea: I have a feeling all of the following may well be things you already do: but anyhow, while they sound utterly revolting, most dogs think pigs ears are the height in canine culinary opulence. In addition, we live next to Windsor forest and the dog has mad, long, happy walks twice a day. I think a dog is happiest out there tearing through the questionable undergrowth finding fox poo and all the other terrible perfumes they seem to value so highly.
oh man, so sorry to hear Steve is sick! the only people food we give our dog is popcorn and she LOVES it, so you could give him popcorn every time you guys watch football or a movie or something.
I’d take him off leash somewhere which is something they never really did in Chicago right?
Aw, my heart is sad for you guys! I love the bucket list idea, though. Does he every get to ride in the front seat with his head out the window? — with a death grip on his harness, of course.
From Mom: off leash at some park where other dogs won’t upset him or a dog park when no one else is there. Lovely story.
Sadly, I’ve thought about how our (my husband and I) first dog that we bought before we were married will most likely be our children’s first death to deal with. Start a photo book of Steve so that when your daughter’s old she can look back and “remember” that lovely mutt that used to be in her life!
Great idea! I’m kind of obsessed with taking pictures, so this should be an easy one for me
Poor Steve. I don’t even know him but my heart goes out to you. There is nothing sadder or more heart wrenching than a sick pet. I lost my first kitty to a brain tumor in 2009 and there is nothing harder. You cannot explain to them why they are sick and having to take medicine. I don’t know what Italian Greyhounds like to do, but my Golden Retriever always liked to swim and run, take car rides and eat doggie ice cream. I’m sure you guys will find lots of fun stuff to add to his doggie bucket list.
We had several pets when I was growing up, but I lost my first “adult” pet a few years ago and it was so incredibly sad. I think because she was totally “mine” it was harder, as you say, to not be able to explain to her what was happening. I felt more responsible for her and wanted to be able to help her in a way I never had when the pets were my parents’. So sad
As the new owner of an already 8-year-old Italian Greyhound, your story brought tears to my eyes. As snuggly as IGs are, I’d just recommend cuddling with him and giving him lots of attention every chance you get. That’s what they enjoy most and he’ll appreciate it.
I love that as a fellow IG owner you understand that what he really wants the most is lots of cuddling! It’s hard because they just don’t like a lot of the things that bigger dogs like. Or even that most other small dogs like. The biggest thing we’ve done for him so far is to let him sleep in the bed with us. That’s probably his favorite thing on earth
First of all, I’m so sorry. We just adopted our first dog and she’s 3—I already mourn those years I didn’t have with her, but I can’t imagine how sad you must feel right now.
My dog’s bucket list would include a brand new jar of peanut butter left open on the floor of the kitchen, and no one watching. Granted she’s a big lab, but maybe that would make Steve happy too?
A few other ideas? Allowed to sleep on the couch and/or bed for as long as he wants. See the ocean and chase sea gulls. Stand on the kitchen table. Belly rubs every morning, even the busy ones. Lots of trips to the dog-friendly pet store for treats. Let Adeline hold an ice cream cone and let Steve sit in her lab and lick it. Take him to the drive in movie and snarf up any popcorn you drop on the floor of the car.
My heart goes out to you.
Such wonderful ideas! He would absolutely love a jar of peanut butter – he gets his medicine in a little bit of PB right now, but a whole jar would be amazing! And I am totally going to let Adeline give him an ice cream cone. Oh my goodness, just the thought of all that cuteness makes me warm and fuzzy inside!
I didn’t get my first dog until I was in my 20s. She died two years ago when I was 40 and there’s just no other suck like it. I still miss the ever loving hell out of her. Her last summer she got to go to the ball park and see a game and get treats from all sorts of people, I’m glad she got to do that. I didn’t leave her alone too much in the last few weeks. If Steve likes to swim I’d take him to water. If he likes to run I’d take him off leash. I’d take him to see all his favorite people, if he’s into people, some dogs only like a chosen few. Spray cheese is a great treat and the loss of teeth won’t matter. I’d let him sleep in the bed, even under the covers, and lie on the couch and I’d lie on the floor with him all the time. I would take long walks if he wanted to even when I didn’t feel like it and I’d sit outside on blanket watching the world go by with him. I’m so so sorry your dog is going to go too soon. There aren’t enough words to express how sorry.
I miss my dogs. They lived to be the ripe age of 14. They loved walks. I bet Steve does too. They loved riding in the car. Heck they just loved hanging out with me. Rosie she loved the snow and water. Puddin’, her sister, did not like the cold weather or water. The most important thing for my dogs though was just to hang out with me at all times. Even when I went to the bathroom if I let them. Betting Steve is the same way.
Bake Science Diet k/d into treats for him. Have a photo session with a pro. Have sub-q fluids one day and take him to a field to run the next.
Poor Steve. This makes me really stinkin’ sad.
I think our dogs’ bucket lists would involve lots of peanut butter and cheese (not sure how that would work with the protein thing for Steve?), going on walks, lots of fetch-playing for Ranger and getting to sleep in the bed with us every night for Rosie. They both love rawhides, so that’s another thing.
I also think they both love running free so much that they would have a blast going out in the country somewhere they can just run to their hearts’ content.
Just lots of love and walks and toys…nothing makes them happier. I’m sorry to hear about your pup… Losing a pet is so, so hard.
I’m so sorry for your news. I’m sitting here thinking about the things I would have done with Yuki, my first dog, who passed away young and suddenly, if I’d had the chance. Off the top of my head, I’m thinking:
Go for a hike somewhere amazing (but bring lots of water since you’re dealing with kidney issues)
Have a professional photo taken of/with him
Throw him a birthday party
Go to a dog beach, if possible
And, the last thing, it sounds like you’re already doing. Just love him, love him, love him, and show him how much you love him every chance you get. I know it’s hard, but I hope you’ll find a way to enjoy the time he has left rather than dwell on the fact that you’re counting down. Our cat is in renal failure, and that’s what we’re trying so hard to do. Best wishes to you and yours.
I have two Italian Greyhounds, cousins, 7 years old. They love treats, love to run together off leash (in a safe place, of course) and LOVE laying in the sun. IG’s are, oddly enough, dogs that don’t run off if you walk them somewhere in a forest or beach. We also have two full size Greyhounds that you can NEVER let off leash. Our Spamones (what I call IGs) have been to 27 states, in the Pacific & Atlantic Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. Hopefully you can make Steve’s last years his best!
I caught a glimpse of a photo of Steve and have spent the last half our tracking this post down. What a fabulous dog! So many great ideas as an owner of thtree whippets and a jack russl and the owner of a beautiful dog called Megan who dies of the same thing that Steve has here would be my Bucket list:
Snuggles in bed
Running on a deserted beach with my friends
Walks chasing leaves and balls
Photos of me everywhere
Just being with you – always….
We’ve lost all our pals, now. Each had their things they loved, and we made sure they spent their last days doing as much as they could of what they loved. Radar had cancer that went to his brain, and long story short, was in pain so we needed to have him put to sleep. It was devastating. He LOVED barking at cows, so we took him out for a long, long drive in the country, rolled the windows down and let him bark himself hoarse. Indy had bladder cancer, and her special time was walking in the neighborhood hiking herself up on her front paws to pee on the tops of bushes so the other dogs would think she was bigger than she was…a real crack up. For Azzi it was her frisbee, and although she was unable to play at the end, we made sure she had it with her right ’till the end. Too many pals gone, but they enriched our lives so much it was well worth the pain of losing them. My heart goes out to you.
Just love him during the time he has left. And when the end comes, don’t wait too long. His suffering will be hard on your family, too.
Two things:
1. Don’t give up hope! My lab was diagnosed with kidney failure three years ago and was given literally a month to live, and now she is in remission. The body is an amazing thing and has the capacity to heal in ways we cannot imagine. I didn’t do anything special with her, so this isn’t a snake oil plug – just a plug for keeping the faith.
2. We lost our (other) dog two years ago to bone cancer, when my daughter was four. Bess still remembers Sarah fondly, and occasionally cries when she misses her. It is very painful for me to watch, but I am also grateful that Bess had such a powerful connection with Sarah. My daughter wrote Sarah a really beautiful letter (well, dictated) that I brought to the vet and had cremated with her about how she used to take care of my daughter when she cried and sleep with her, and how she hopes there will be lots of good food and places to run in heaven. My vet still talks about it. I think that these relationships are what make us, and our kids, compassionate human beings. My heart goes out to you, it’s a shame they don’t live as long as we do!
We adopted a 7 year old IG a year and a half ago. He is our first dog. He is very loved and a big part of our lives. Things he really likes: sleeping under the covers in our bed especially with us, having treats like cheese (esp. cream cheese & cottage cheese) and peanut butter. He likes to go camping. He enjoys going for rides in the car to be with us anywhere we go. He will sit in your lap just about anytime you let him. He likes to go for walks in places different than around the block. Our dog loves to go to the dog park to be with other IGs, you could even try to start a group at http://www.meetup Carmel, CA is a great dog town, check out the Cypress Inn where they will welcome your dogs. This is truly a dog town and should be on the bucket list. Does your dog like toys? Take him to pet stores to pick out his treats and toys. Let him chase squirrels, he is a prey dog. I don’t ever let my IG off leash outdoors in an unfenced area, as they are a fast breed, known to run and not return. It’s just not worth the risk. I think my dog likes his sweatshirts and jackets, they keep him cozy. Our dog also likes to belly rubs, horsing around, and being petted. I hope your dog will enjoy these things too.