Plant memorial?

[DvlshAngel985]

Hey all! Long time no post, and it's a sad reason that I find myself back on YT.

My little Kaji boy is sick, and I fear he may not pull through. He's under the care of specialist, and we, as a team, are doing our best to get him to pull through. However, I'm a bit of a planner and it's weirdly comforting to start thinking about what I plan to do after he passes. Sorry if this sounds cold, or like I don't love him, it's more like I'm trying to find something to do with myself in order to deal with the reality of what we're facing. More than anything, I want him to get better.

Long ago on YT, I read a post of someone who purchased a potted plant, and buried their baby's ashes in that pot. This sounds like a great idea to me, as I know I don't plan living in my current house long term. It would be nice to be able to take my little man with me. Are any potted plants ok to use for this purpose? Anyone remember or know of that post I am talking about?

[Britster]

I don't know how this thread got missed.

I'm so sorry you are even having to think this way. I've been following your journey on instagram.

I haven't heard of this but it sounds like a very nice idea/tribute.

[lilgidget]

What a great idea! It would be a good reminder each day of the unconditional love that was shown each day.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Britster

I don't know how this thread got missed.

I'm so sorry you are even having to think this way. I've been following your journey on instagram.

I haven't heard of this but it sounds like a very nice idea/tribute.

It's been a hard journey that will be coming to an end real soon. Just got back from Kaji's last appointment. His vet recommends euthanasia. I am calling doctors now to schedule it as I'd like to have it happen at home.

I did find some flowers that would look pretty and enjoy being in the sun, as Kaji was a classic California boy. He loved to sunbathe in the backyard. They will also flourish in a potted plant situation as well. It's nice to have a plan in place even though I break down in tears every 5 mins. I take comfort that Kaji is not in any pain, and soon he will no longer be trapped by his body, which has been slowly failing him.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

It's been a hard journey that will be coming to an end real soon. Just got back from Kaji's last appointment. His vet recommends euthanasia. I am calling doctors now to schedule it as I'd like to have it happen at home.

I did find some flowers that would look pretty and enjoy being in the sun, as Kaji was a classic California boy. He loved to sunbathe in the backyard. They will also flourish in a potted plant situation as well. It's nice to have a plan in place even though I break down in tears every 5 mins. I take comfort that Kaji is not in any pain, and soon he will no longer be trapped by his body, which has been slowly failing him.

I'm tearing up just reading this. I'm so so sorry. My heart is broken for you.

Was this a fast acting disease? It seems like he just started having issues a few months ago right? What were his initial symptoms?

This isn't fair. I'm sorry there are no other better words.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Britster

I'm tearing up just reading this. I'm so so sorry. My heart is broken for you.

Was this a fast acting disease? It seems like he just started having issues a few months ago right? What were his initial symptoms?

This isn't fair. I'm sorry there are no other better words.

It all happened so fast. Aug 1st, we were celebrating his 10th birthday. A week later, he started having trouble walking. He had a checkup, his vets thought it was inflammation, arthritis from his LP, or a slipped disk. They sent us home with meds, and a health certificate clearing him for travel.

Mid August, we were hosting a family reunion on a beach in Mexico. Kaji was there, sunbathing on the beach or by the pool. He never left my side.

By Aug 30th, he had an MRI to determine the cause of the tremors he started having a week after returning from our trip. Soon after, we received the diagnosis of immune mediate encephalitis. His brain was so swollen, the neurologist was surprised he was still able to stand. We immediately started an aggressive course of treatment to try to get a handle on the situation.

Soon after, we had results of a bile acid test. Kaji had liver issues. This limited our ability to pursue many treatments, as his liver was, and had been his entire life, not working properly. It wasn't bad enough to be caught or noticed during his wellness exams, but now that we would pursue heavy treatment, they looked at his liver closely before prescribing meds. His LP didn't make it easier for him to be mobile. In other words, a lot of the ailments that affect yorkies was found right here.

There were a few times that Kaji showed improvement, only to decline in other areas. His encephalitis was persistent, no matter what we tried. He's now a shell of what was my baby. He's lost so much weight, and he is a little limp noodle. He can't even hold his head up. It breaks my heart to see him this way, instead of that happy go lucky guy that would go crazy whenever we drove up to his friends houses. That would hike, or run with his friends, that would sniff the air as he rode shotgun, or snuggle with me as we watched tv. It's going to be so hard to say goodbye tomorrow.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by lilgidget

What a great idea! It would be a good reminder each day of the unconditional love that was shown each day.

I'll try to come back and post a picture of what the final memorial looks like.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

It all happened so fast. Aug 1st, we were celebrating his 10th birthday. A week later, he started having trouble walking. He had a checkup, his vets thought it was inflammation, arthritis from his LP, or a slipped disk. They sent us home with meds, and a health certificate clearing him for travel.

Mid August, we were hosting a family reunion on a beach in Mexico. Kaji was there, sunbathing on the beach or by the pool. He never left my side.

By Aug 30th, he had an MRI to determine the cause of the tremors he started having a week after returning from our trip. Soon after, we received the diagnosis of immune mediate encephalitis. His brain was so swollen, the neurologist was surprised he was still able to stand. We immediately started an aggressive course of treatment to try to get a handle on the situation.

Soon after, we had results of a bile acid test. Kaji had liver issues. This limited our ability to pursue many treatments, as his liver was, and had been his entire life, not working properly. It wasn't bad enough to be caught or noticed during his wellness exams, but now that we would pursue heavy treatment, they looked at his liver closely before prescribing meds. His LP didn't make it easier for him to be mobile. In other words, a lot of the ailments that affect yorkies was found right here.

There were a few times that Kaji showed improvement, only to decline in other areas. His encephalitis was persistent, no matter what we tried. He's now a shell of what was my baby. He's lost so much weight, and he is a little limp noodle. He can't even hold his head up. It breaks my heart to see him this way, instead of that happy go lucky guy that would go crazy whenever we drove up to his friends houses. That would hike, or run with his friends, that would sniff the air as he rode shotgun, or snuggle with me as we watched tv. It's going to be so hard to say goodbye tomorrow.

Thanks for filling me in. I'm just so so so sorry. I'm so shocked and I can't imagine what you are going through right now.

I so was hoping he would show more improvement. I'm sorry he's not the Kaji you know and love anymore. You're doing the kindest thing you could ever do for him. But I know it doesn't make it easier.