madbaker | Hilde Hospice Watch

Hilde stabilized enough at the vet that they were able to give her steroids and we could bring her home yesterday. (When we took her in, it was not clear that she would survive outside the oxygen cube.) When we visited Saturday, she had improved enough to wriggle about in joy when we gave her skritches. The vets also paid her more attention after our visit and told us how sweet she is. Such a change from Galen, who almost no one else saw in a loving mood.

The hefty dose of steroids will help the effects of the terminal lymphoma. She's eating more today and is not having anywhere near as much trouble breathing - she complained bitterly the whole drive home. But it will only help for so far and for so long. Once we see her declining, we will have to end her pain.

But for now, we will be spending as much time and love with her as we can.