Simon and Toph
2010
Thank you for your kind words yesterday. I want to let you know how Simon and Toph are faring and I am heartbroken to report that their prognosis is very poor.
The toxin they ingested – we have a list of what it could have been but are unable to find anything around our home or garden that fits – has completely shut down their kidneys. After two days of intraveneous fluids and diuretics, neither doggle is able to urinate. Their kidneys are not even producing any urine. Nor can Simon or Toph eat a bite of food, despite the vet nurse going out to buy them a freshly cooked chicken.
Simon- as always – is a right little gentleman. He looks as beautiful as ever, his gentle eyes kind and loving. The nurse told us that when they placed the drip in his paw, he stood there patiently without needing any restraint, his tail wagging back and forth in its usual friendly manner. If that wasn’t amazing enough, yesterday afternoon, when the vet and nurse inserted a catheter up his urethra to see if there was any urine present, he stood calmly, his tail wagging back and forth. But, after cuddling him and giving him a good scratch all over his head – his favourite – for almost an hour, and then holding a wee piece of chicken in my hand for him to eat, he gently pushed my hand away with his head and looked back up at me with all that love and trust. But there’s no kisses. Simon – as everyone who has ever met him will testify – is the champion of kisses. At the moment, he has none left to give. I had no idea how many tears it is possible to shed. Simon is my first dog, he’s only 7 and I love him so dearly. I cannot imagine our lives without him trotting alongside us, patting us to get our attention, and snuggling up with us whenever we stop and sit down. Yet now, so quickly, he is so very sick.
Toph has certainly had the wind knocked out of her sails. Usually, she is full of energy, enthusiasm and expectations, with a feisty little voice to match. Now, she is very quiet, baffled and just wants to be held and rocked. I pick her up carefully and she snuggles into my shoulder, reaching up to rub her nose across my cheek and lips every now and then. When we have to leave, and nestle her back into her bed, she cries. The nurses have left a box of tissues besides Toph’s bed for us now. No matter how many we take in, they are never enough.
As our vet – Rachel – said last night, it is breaking their hearts too. Simon and Toph are such otherwise healthy, beautiful dogs, with lovely natures and a family who love them so much.
So what we are praying for this morning – a wee (who’d have thought I would EVER say that especially about Toph!) and some eating. By Monday, if neither of these things have happened, and their blood tests are still recording the damage to their kidneys, it will be time to prepare ourselves for their deaths.
I keep having to walk away from the computer as I write this. Everything in the house reminds me of them and I want them to come home so desperately. I cannot believe they might never lie in the patch of sun on the living room floor again. Stand up at the windowsill to see who’s coming down the driveway. Leap from the bedroom door onto Julian’s head in bed each morning. Stand with me in the kitchen whilst I cook. Pull the quilts and rugs off the sofas and chairs and make their own little nests. Simon, yanking and yanking and yanking on the leash when we walk. Toph, trotting along like a show pony. Simon, dancing backwards on his back legs for a cookie. Toph, racing through the house with her rattly toy, furiously shaking her head back and forth. Just this time last week, Toph was demanding to sit on my lap whilst I had my first cup of tea of the day, Simon was snuggled under the table at my feet.
I will let you know when we have any news. Please keep our dear little doggies in your thoughts.
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Lily, I am so sorry to hear that your friend is not well and your dogs are so sick! I know, how it feels to miss dear pets. In my case most of them were cats, but there were also two dogs. I am thinking of you! Hugs!
this is so hard , my thoughts & get well wishes coming your way xxx
Oh, Lily, I’m heartbroken for you. These are members of your family. Please find comfort in each other as you journey down this path. ~karen
I am sending positive wishes your way. I hope your dogs get better.
Sorry for your awful news Lily.
oh i am so sorry. thinking of your pups.
Praying for your doggies to make a full recovery.
My heart is breaking for you all. Sending my thoughts and prayers xx
Hey Lily,
All I can do is pray for them and send you a *hug* from here… I could not help cry after reading your post…
Hope they come out of it…
I’m so sorry for this. It’s just awful. You and your pups are in my thoughts. <>
Oh Lily, I’m so sorry. Hopefully your little pups will have a turn around this weekend.
I’m sorry they’re still not doing better.
Oh, Lily – with tears and best wishes God bless!
Hugs – Lurline?
Dear family boot, I am so sorry to hear your news. May a little miracle happen to rescue dear little simon and toph from whatever it is they ingested.In their quietness they know above all how much they are loved.
This is so, so sad, Lily. Sending you warm thoughts.
(((many, many hugs))) I am so sorry that you are all going through this.
I am crying too Lily. Hugs to you, Abby and Julian. I have everything crossed for a speedy recovery.
Lily, I’m awfully sorry… i hope the pups get better. My thoughts are with you.
Much love and hugs to you all. Prayers for the dear pups.
Makes my heart ache for you Lily… such gloomy news. We will be pulling for the pups this weekend and thinking of all of you.
Oh, Lily! Sending hugs for you, Abby & Julian, and healing thoughts for Simon & Toph.
This is heartbreaking. I will send up prayers for your loving pups…lots of prayers.
our pets are our children too. feeling your sorrow. and sending out hope.
I’m so sorry this has happened. I will be thinking of you and your family and puppies.
I must say your posts have touched me more than anything in a long time. My heart is broken for you and your losses. Big, hot tears fall and my body sobs for your loss. Know that many prayers are going up for you to get through this.