colliemad

Im lucky OH is so into computers. Drives me mad at times but its very handy when something goes wrong. Problem is because hes available to fix it Im rather lazy at sorting it out for myself. Thin I'll include it in my New Year Resolutions - learn more about computers.!

Very painful condition. Hope you feel better very soon.

I went to my local Tescos at 06.00am on Christmas Eve to get the fresh veg. etc and the staff were standing around with nothing to do. Probably because the shelves were practically empty as they were waiting for a delivery! I went a few miles further to another Tesco, got there at 6.20 am, everywhere stocked up and got everything I wanted with no problems. Even managed to enjoy the shopping trip as the store wasnt too crowded.

I lived alone for a few years when the boys were young and it never worried me, we did have 2 dogs however. When we moved here I woke up one night and 'sensed' someone at the side of the bed looking at me. Managed to convince myself that I was dreaming but then heard that a few years before we brought the house an old man had hung himself from the bannisters! My initial reaction was that I wanted to move, especially when my sons partners commented that part of the stairs felt colder than the rest and she felt uncomfortable going upstairs. I had noticed that but didnt like to say anything. I ended up saying a few prayers and asking the 'person' to move on and leave us alone. It might sound silly but whilst I was doing it I felt so sad that I started crying but afterwards felt much better and the atsmosphere seemed better as well. My sons partner commented on the difference as well. Even now however one of the dogs will sometimes bark in the middle of the night and stare into a corner of the room, and my OH has said that he has seen something at the door! It has usually been when hes been very stressed or upset and we just put it down either to that or to his late grandmother making sure he is alright.! Funnily enough OH doesnt like to go to the bottom of the garden where we have a shed, he feels that he is being watched and odd times I have felt uncomfortable there. I must admit that I wont read spooky books or watch scary films if Im on my own but usually I am fine. Having the dogs does make me feel safer and in spite of the odd incidents I feel safe in this house.

Years ago, I was on my own with 2 young children and my bcx Skipper suddenly started barking around 2 am. I got up and he was throwing himself at the back door trying to get out and going absolutely crazy. I telephoned my father who lived at the house joining my garden at the back and he came round. When he arrived he noticed that the gate to the drive was open and the dustbins had been put near the wall as if someone had climbed over. He climbed over the wall just in time to see someone running away down the drive of his house. Obviously they had heard the dog barking and made their escape. Thank goodness I had a dog. My present dogs Im sure would raise the alarm if anyone attempted to get in. They bark if anyone walks past late at night and are very protective of me. When people walk up to the door they bark and wont be quiet until they are sure they arent a threat. Not sure what they would do if someone actually got into the house but think Skye would definately defend his territory, Max would probably lick them to death and Wisp and Flynn would probably do whatever Skye did. They make me feel safe as anyone hearing the amount of barking they do would have to be mad to actually break in. We have an elderly lady living next door and she has commented that the dogs make her feel safer as she would know if anyone was in either of our gardens

Brilliant! Unfortunately its also very true

My Wisp is a tricolour border collie. But she is my shadow, has to be near me with a paw or head on my feet. She has a habit of getting onto my lap and putting her head under my chin and snuggling in. I love it!! Im quite jealous of you, I love red and white dogs!

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog. I love the pics where he is 'babysitting'. He was so lucky to have you all, he was obviously very much loved and an important part of your family. The garden you have created for him is lovely.

Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. Can only praise you for putting your dogs happiness before your own feelings and making sure he would be safe and well looked after. Dont feel guilty but proud you had the courage to do it. Hope things improve for you very soon.

I took one of my dogs, now at the Bridge to a pet shop to buy treats etc and he decided he liked a soft dog toy. He picked it up off the display and refused to put it down until we got to the till when he placed it on the counter! Needless to say I paid for it! Spoiled? Whatever gave you that idea?

Dee Im so sorry to hear this. Sending Run free and well and strong with all your friends in the Summerlands Dougal.

I had only ever had male dogs but was advised to get a bitch as one of the males is very dominent, despite being neutered.Oddly enough she is a collie bitch and called Wisp or Whisper and she is so affectionate, she has to be near me at all times! All the male dogs are affectionate as well but I have to admit to a special feeling for Wisp (probably because we girls need to stick together against the 4 men (3 dogs and 1 OH in the house!).

I fully agree with a persons right to choose how they die but as a nurse in a pallative/terminal care unit wanted to give another view. Many of our patients have written a 'living will' detailing their wishes in certain cirumstances and where these exist they are always adhered to. Our doctors always talk to the patient and family before making any treatment decisions and ask whether they want active treatment to be commenced. If giving antibotics for an infection or putting up a 'drip' to give fluids would not enhance the quality of life, then this is not done providing the family and patient are in agreement. Conversly if the patients wants everything possible to be done their wishes are respected. I have known many patients admitted to the Unit in pain and with distressing symptoms,ask the staff to help them to die. With careful assessment and good management these same patients have been discharged home, free of pain and with their symptoms well controlled, to spend extra precious weeks or months with their family and friends. It is not always possible to fully contol pain but it can usually be reduced to a comfortable level. Pain in the dying patient is not always physcial, however, there can be great mental pain as well and this can be more difficult to manage. We use alternative therapy in the Unit, aromatherpy, massage, reflexology and counselling to help with this and many families have been reconciled and reunited as a result of the help given. While it is very difficult and upsetting to watch a loved one deteroriate and die, with good management it can still be a positive experience for the patient and the family. Time spend with the patient can be used to really talk to each other and many precious memories are made doing this. We have had people marry whilst in the Unit and many parties and celebrations have taken place even during the last few days of life. Pets and children are welcome in the Unit and if they are are well enough patients can go home,sometimes for a weekend, sometimes for a few hours. They also go out with relatives, shopping, for a meal or to the pub! The other point I would like people to consider is this; if the law is changed who would give the final injection? Would the relatives be prepared to do it and if they did what long term effects might it have on them? Would they feel guilty and would it prevent them grieving properly? Would the medical staff or nursing staff be expected to do it and what effects would it have on them? These are people who have spend their professional life caring for a patient and are now being asked to kill them. No matter how you phrase it this is what you are doing when you knowingly give a lethal dose of a drug. The other point is how would it affect the patients relationship with the nursing or medical staff. Would the patient refuse to have painrelieving injections, or worry about the staffs motives when they were discussing treatment options? In what ways could we ensure that the patients interests were being served and not the relatives? Sadly not all relatives are loving and caring. I would agree that there are many many patients who do not get anything like the end of life care that they deserve. Some of this is due to indifference but a lot is due to a lack of knowledge. Good end of life care needs medical staff and nurses with specialised knowledge and the back up of a team of people ie. Physio, OTs, Dieticans, Social workers, to name just a few and the work is tiring and extremely stressful so good support for the staff is important. A scheme is being piloted all over the country to educate staff on general wards and community hospitals about end of life care. Staff in general need to be educated and shown that such care is as vital and important as care during an acute illness. Medical staff need to be educated in drug use as many of the drugs we use were orginally designed for other purposes but work well on symptoms experienced by our patients. I have known many doctors frightened to use morphine in the correct dose for instance beliving, wrongly, that it will either hasten death or cause addiction. Perhaps we should be pressing the Goverment to give more importance to this area of care so that in the future everyone will have the painfree and dignified death that they deserve. I am not underestimating the emotions and pain experienced by the members of the forum, far from it, but I just wanted to give another view of the subject. Dying does not have to be painfilled and dreadful with loss of dignity and painful memories for the relatives. Hopefully one day pallative care will be available to everyone, after all we are all going to be in that position one day.

I have carried a donor card for years and have told my family that any part of my body can be used. I really think that you should have to opt out rather than in to the donor scheme. It seems a waste to me that organs cannot be used to save lives. It would also prevent the relatives being asked at a time when they are distressed and shocked

Signed and sent