u/hanngonz

Yesterday’s vet appointment validated our gut feeling: Darla is nearing the end of her time with us. We have an appointment scheduled with our trusted vet on Friday, and she has vet approval to wait until then for my mom (she’s her person and out of town until then).

We’ve been in denial, but what gives me peace is this: how beautiful it is to outlive your body. Darla has spent all 16 years of her long life (minus eight weeks with a fabulous humane society) at the side of myself or my mom or both of us. She has been fed, pampered, and loved by so many friends and family. She has helped me grow for more than half of my life.

Darla and her sister Ashley are truly my siblings. I was supposed to be a middle child of an older and younger sister. While my family felt heartbreak then, we think Ashley and Darla were meant to find us and give us the opportunity to share our love with them.

Any tips for how to help Ashley adjust is appreciated. She’s the stoic, independent sister (classic tortoiseshell), and I worry for her. I will certainly rely on her this weekend, and want her to feel comfortable too. My boyfriend has been such a blessing (and he’s probably person #3 for her, so him being here all week has made Darla happy too), and friends have come out to make sure we eat and take care of ourselves, too.

Even considering all of the above and how much it hurts, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Thank you Darla for your silly, beautiful love.

Thanks to all who gave Darla some love several months ago. I wish I had better news, but her enemas have come closer together and this week she decided to stop trying to poop altogether.

We’ve been trying to find a balance with medicine, diet, etc, but our wonderful vet (truly the best) sat us down this week and said if she doesn’t poop by Monday it will start to become uncomfortable for her and we will have to have a difficult conversation.

She’s on two different drugs to help the motility in her colon (cisapride and now trying pilocarpine), but she still doesn’t seem to be Inspired to Go. My fear is that she’s telling us something that I wish I didn’t have to hear. Last night was her first night on pilocarpine and she did have poop stuck coming out of her butt, but she wasn’t trying to push. We had to help her push it out ourselves.

Please send Darla all the good vibes. It’s not just megacolon - it’s kidney issues, possible gastrointestinal lymphoma, anemia, and a heart murmur that complicate any more invasive treatment. She is SO loved by family, friends, and especially her vet (she is the ideal patient). She’s been by my side since I was 11. Her sister doesn’t seem to understand yet, but we will take such good care of both of them until they decide it’s time.