Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Ashley’s Journey…

One of the few decent pictures I've gotten of her. I played around making the image
sepia toned, then brought back the color in the eyes. Soft blur on edges
for a vignette look. If I use flash, she blinks,
if I don't she usually moves so much it's just a blur. Like the next picture!



I just got back from the Vet Hospital to see Ashley and she looks a ton better. She's been on IV fluids for two days now to get her toxin (everything the kidneys do) levels to normal. Yesterday her numbers for her BUN values were in the 80s, where normal values are 14-36. Today she is only slightly above 40. She'll be in the hospital at least one more day, if not two.

The biggest problem is that once she gets home, she is in for lifetime treatment to minimize the kidney usage. She looks good today but could be in terrible shape once I bring her home. Essentially, I am prolonging her ability to live. There's a lot of guilt that goes along with this, especially considering that I don't like the idea of euthanasia. I don't even like the concept of capital punishment either. I don't agree with it. So I help her live comfortably by modern medicine, but I don't want to prolong her beyond her ability to choose to die. Like I said, guilt. Lot's and lot's of it.

This is actually a happy Ashley. L was scratching her ears last night
and she is sort of tucked in here enjoying the moment.

She likes gripping my hand with her wee paws. She's very judicial with the claws too!

Again, I come with the disclaimer: she is part of my family. I've always had a strong connection with my pets and animals and treat them as I would humans. I fully believe the afterlife is not based solely on how we treat our own kind but how we treat the world in total. Many people may not agree with what I am doing, but that is their decision to make.

PS: If anyone else has pets going through something like this, this site HERE has been quite helpful.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Kerrie,
I am so sorry to hear of your little Ashley's failing kidneys. I will keep her and YOU in my prayers as I know what you mean about the guilt. I think your heart will know what to do as you judge her quality of life through the daily care regiment. Some animals are very resilient and others just sort of give up. You will know because she will tell you. What a little trooper she is. I certainly am glad she has you as a friend who really loves her and I know that love will make all the difference as she copes with these challenges now ahead of her.
Please don't hesitate to call if there is something I can do to help.
Love & Prayers from DD & Callie Cat

Arabian Acres said...

I wish the best for your kitty Kerrie. I do understand the love of a pet.