fallingwaters; first of all, know that your you and your dh, and his hea lth care prov iders are in my prayers. Your priorities are in the right place, although I know there is some disappointment after getting so much in place for the renovation. I, too, put off my kitchen for a year. My MIL fractured her hip and was having repeated complications, my husbands workload increased at work and by being the primary healthcare surrogate for his mom. I sensed that just having the stress of ripping out the kitchen -- but also of not HAVING a functional kitchen, was a bit more than our family could deal with. My kitchen is a place of respite, even if in it's current state it isn't perfect. My experience has been like needssometips and jreuter. I saved up some more $$. I'm not putting that extra into the kitchen, but it is giving us a bit more of a cushion. 2. I've gotten just about every wee decision made, down to the gar bage di sposal, and what I'm lining the drawers with. Except for the darn faucet. Still trying to figure it out. In the next few months as you go thru this with your husband, there will likely be times when you feel out of control. Looking at pulls and such and making a few decisions unrelated to the health aspects may help you get a feeling of control back. And in the middle of the night, when you can't sleep, no doubt someone has posted a tittilating post (I know that isn't spelled right) that may take your mind off the stressors for a few minutes.

I'm howling !!! Surprised that I haven't got the neighbors dogs to barking with me... First, because my Welsh Terrier is now eating kibble with a mix in of 'Benefil' which looks like a meat/veggie stew.. and I could imagine anyone eating it..It looks darn good!! Also, we got a new basketball coach & there was the obligatory interview on tv -- he's facing the camera and talking while holding his 2 yr old -- who - of course - partway thru the interview sticks her finger up her nose... You KNOW that MOM is over to the side waving madly at Dad to either put her down or at least get the fingers down!!!

You seem to not have the time or day to take your dog out daily for walks and that is more then once aday, take them out too to do their business, you want a stuffed animal that sits there and have to do nothing with. They have muscles and need to use them,. they need to get out too, why don't you sit all the time in a room and go anywhere, they go out for car rides, are a pack animal and you are their pack and if you leave it, that isn't good, you have to make sure its trained and that means trainers to help you with anything that comes up or just train if they are puppies. Even small dogs need to be put on the ground and way they go, they love being around others outside and I see them when I was a dog owner tiny ones running and wagging and greeting dogs and owners. Pets are not to buy and sit there looking cute, they are wanting their needs met. If you aren't home or can meet the needs what they need, then don't get one, its not fair. I see and hear too many pets being thrown in garages, chained outside and stuck in laundry rooms,etc, not walked at all and pee pads and what a terrible life that is. YOU spend time with them and dogs you do alot, they aren't stuffed toys to have that lay there, terrible life that is. Or get an older dog then that sleeps more but even they need to be taken for walks and outside to other places, car rides. Change your life or decide its not for me until I can be there for my pet.

I honestly don't know what to suggest. We've had 7 dogs in 50 years and all had a canine companion - except for our last dog. None of them seemed to grieve the loss of their companion other than a few days of mild uncertainty. They seemed to be more sensitive to our sadness and would come and sit next to me or put their nose in my lap when I was upset. They were all indoor dogs and part of our family but not lap dogs although I doubt that made a difference. We had one set of siblings - brother and sister and Cleo was the alpha of the pair. Your photo of your 2 Frenchies sleeping back to back reminded me of how they slept. When Cleo died Ozzie seemed more attentive for a few days but quickly resumed his normal behavior. As for having the companion dog witness the euthanasia or seeing the body afterwards - I don't think it makes a difference. You could ask your vet about that. It seems unnecessary to me. We've known our vet for over 25 years and he is remarkable. He has always taken his time with exams, answered all our questions and he and DH often talked about various pet and human illnesses and treatments. Our dogs were large breeds and we took them to the vet's office. But he came to our home for our last one. I'm still getting teary eyed as I write this because it was just last week. The 3 of us sat on the floor petting her and holding her head and when it was over this wonderful man cradled her in his arms and carried her to his van. Maggie will be cremated and her remains will join the other 6 in the back yard under the beech tree. DH calls it his secret garden and he's planted ferns, hostas, and hellebores there and he has a wrought iron bench where he likes to sit with his coffee. I know what you're going through - it is such a difficult time for all. Sending hugs... Maire