Yesterday I wrote about the worst case of Alzheimer's I ever saw. This morning my Aunt Mary phoned. Her husband Bob has Alzheimer's. He's not one of those who are combative or noisy. She has to watch him or he'll wander out of the house. And he doesn't recognize his wife, and frequently asks her "Who are you?"

Not recognizing her makes him paranoid and suspicious, and makes caring for him difficult. Aunt Mary asked me why his feet were so blue, and why would he be running a fever? He also won't eat or drink. When she takes him to the doctor, she is frustrated by lack of even palliative care offered--he is old, he has Alzheimer's--it's like why bother? All I can do is listen.

Then my daughter phoned--bad news. A week ago she took her beloved mini Schnauzer to a pet grooming place. After she got him home her dog began to lose the use of its legs. She took him to the vet twice--first time the dog was given a shot of cortisone. Second time was X-rayed--there was a fracture in his neck vertebra.

The dog lost control of its bowels and bladder. Today, weeping,  her "baby"  was put down. Before she had him put to sleep, she took her baby by the dog groomer's and talked to the owner and the groomer and showed them what had happened to her baby after he had left their place of business. They denied any culpability.

I think the groomer leashed the neck and maybe the dog fell off the table. SOMETHING happened at the groomer's. Again all I could do was listen and sympathize--and offer advice-- I think she oughta take them to small claims court, but that probably won't happen.

Ready for good news, Susil.

Comments:

Oh, I'm so sad for your daughter. What an awful thing to have to put down a pet too soon. I hope she files a complaint with the licensing board or whatever it is in charge of groomers and I hope she files a lawsuit. She could file a complaint with the BBB too. That place should be put out of business.

No amount of money will replace a beloved pet. If I
had an animal that I had groomed elsewhere, I'd stay
right there while they did it. Lots of incompetents
out there in people hospitals and also taking care of
pets.

((((( )))))

comment by marta on July 8, 2008 8:45 PM ()

Hi marta, tx for reading..

reply by susil on July 9, 2008 11:52 PM ()

I worked in a kennel and did everything from cleaning runs,feeding,meds,and blow drying dogs.The dogs hate the hand held blow dryers.If the groomer is busy and all the drying cages are full,you brush them out and dry them with the hand held dryer.You can't turn your back for 1 second because the dog will try to jump.I am so sorry for your daughters lose.I also understand the not eating with Alzheimers.My Mom has a feeding tube in her stomach for one year now.She is completely bedridden and takes nothing by mouth.My sister and I are her caretakers.It is very sad but is the end stage of Alzheimers.Laurie

comment by dogsalot on July 8, 2008 6:10 PM ()

Hi Laurie; When my Aunt Mary asks about her husbands's
symptoms, she always asks "could this be the end coming?"
They've been married nearly 55 years and she's afraid of the
end, but I tell her nobody knows when that might come. Much
admiration for you and your sister. Being a caregiver is a very
difficult thankless job.
As for the groomer's, I think my daughter's schnauzer did fall
off the table in a moment of inattention by the groomer, and with
the leash around its neck, broke its neck or something. Thanks for
your comments on this.

reply by susil on July 10, 2008 12:04 AM ()