ABOUT YOUR AGING PET COACH
When they're little puppies it's hard to think of your dog as a senior citizen but it happened with Starr.
My first Shih Tzu, Tantalum, left far too soon. She got sick and went to doggie heaven when she was just seven years old.
But friskly Starr wound up with a herniated disc at the age of 15 - would that Tantalum had lived that long!
The surgeon warned that Starr might not regain use of her hind legs and sadly she did not. But that didn't stop this spunky little dog from using her front legs and maintaining a frisky gait.
Three years later, Starr had a healthy bark, healthly appetite but I had to lift her to move her to her food, although oftentimes she used her shoulders to maneuver. For the longest time I would tell people that Starr thinks she is still a puppy. Well, maybe she wasn't a puppy, but more into "early adultoood."
My point being that even the vet said that I had gone above and beyond what most people would do to care for their senior pet.
More than once I went to the vet thinking that it would be time to put Star down but Starr would have none of it. Eventually, Starr didn't give up, her body just gave out.
So if you are grappling with those hard decisions and feelings that come as your pet ages, you now have someone who understands why you might decide to spend thousands of dollars to save your pet and take time off from work as well as those of you who just decide that their illness or illnesses are just "too much" either for you or your dog.
Either way you want to feel good about how you cared for your dog in their senior years and be ready to enjoy life (and possibly another dog) again when your dog passes on.
If you feel that you or someone you know could benefit from Your Aging Pet Coaching services, then please click here.
Starr in her spa robe Christmas morning December 2007.
WHAT IS COACHING?
Life coaching is a co-creative relationship built upon the premise that we can all be more than what we are. It is about discovering and actualizing our full potential. During the process you discover what you want and what is holding you back. We will work together to change any limiting beliefs and take the steps to get you where you want to be. Coaching is a holistic process which can cover any aspect of your life. This is a powerful process for dealing with your identity and wholeness while caring with your aging or infirm pet.
Coaching is not psychotherapy and as a professional coach I do not attempt to provide diagnosis or treatment. We will be talking about where you are NOW not rehashing the past.
THE DOGGIE CAREGIVER BILL OF RIGHTS
As the primary caregiver my faithful friend, I have the right:
*To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my pet and those around me.
*To seek help from others in caring for my pet. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
*To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
*To protect my individuality and do what I feel is necessary to maintain the health of my pet despite what others may think.
*To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my pet.
