Thanks everyone. This morning's visits with doctors resulted in a whole lot of non-answers. No kidney disease, which is good, but also no explanation beyond overall declining health. Everyone here wants him to go into assisted living, but AL won't take his dog, and he's beside himself with grief at that possibility. And, financially, it's not an easy choice since assisted living is so freaking expensive. Dad and I can take a mortgage out on his condo to pay for renovations at our house, but that's going to take a year to complete, and I'll have to figure out how to ensure he has care at home in the meantime. I think I have a plan for that, but it's complicated. I'm just...exhausted. And sad. And Dad is so confused this morning, and it's so hard to see.

Pix, that is hard.

When he forgets to eat, and forgets his meds, does he forget to feed and care for the dog too? On the one hand, that could be part of motivating him into assisted living. On the other hand, the reminders to better care for the dog might be effectively combined with reminders to better care for himself.

Easy to type, not so easy to make real. And probably not anything you haven't already thought of.

Oh, Pix, I’m so sorry you aren’t getting easier answers and that everything is so hard. Love to you and your dad.

I’m so glad Brendon and Laura are nearby and can take care of you, Pix.

Our cat Magellan had an embolism last night after we got back from Michigan and we had to euthanize him. We are heartbroken. It was so sudden. He was fine when we got home from our trip at around 6 but later I heard a yowl from the basement and he was collapsed there. We rushed him to the pet er and they said a clot had broken off and went to his legs and he was in a ton of pain. The only thing they could have done was treat him with heavy duty painkillers for weeks and it wasn’t going to help the underlying issue. I wish I could have taken him to his regular vet but I have to trust the emergency vet knew what he was doing and it was clear Magellan was in a ton of pain and couldn’t move his body so something catastrophic had happened.

Good thoughts your way as you continue to sort through this. It's just so hard emotionally, financially, and just time devoted to figuring it all out. Love to you all.

Oh, lisah, that is heartbreaking. I am so sorry.

Oh no Lisa! I am so sorry.

Oh Lisa! I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry, lisah!

Pix, it is so very hard. I like how dcp linked pet care to his care. He needs to care for himself at least as well. It is hard to get the message across that eating, drinking, taking meds = not having to go to the hospital or assisted living and losing the dog. Also, it sucks to have that role reversal of having to treat your parent as a child. I can still see my parents' annoyed looks when we told them what they should do.

Oh, no, lisah! I'm so sorry.