Fibromyalgia Community

My father called on Sunday saying that one of his outside dogs wasn't eating, I told him to try some lunch meat, but she still wouldn't eat, yet she was running around a bit.

The dogs are 1 minature american eskimo, by the name of Cotton. The other is a Lab-collie mix. He has those Collie ears but he's all black. His name is Swab.

Monday, my father called again, saying Cotton was lying outside in the rain. He tried to catch her to bring her in the house but she wouldn't come.


When I got there she was really sick & in pain. She was moaning- groaning breathing hard. Father thought it was pnuemonia, or she was poisoned. I thought she had stomach problem.

I went and picked her up, calling her my Rotten Cotton. I took her into the garage, made her warm and comfortable, with water blanket etc.

I came back later and thought Cotton was looking better, yet she was moaning more. She'd moved and drank some water. I thought this was encouraging.

I had to go to my sleep test,

I called my father as soon as I could this morning,

Cotton died last night This was my mothers dog. My mother passed away in Feb. so of course my father is upset, he's blaming himself, for not taking her to the Vet.

I told my father that I'd be there to take care of her.

My father called me back,there something was wrong with Swab. He was standing by the patio door looking where Cotton lay barking at her. Swab has the Collie type of ears, with the tips folded over. This time they were standing straight up like a German Shepherds they'd never done this in his whole life that I know of.

When I got there, he was still barking. Him and Cotton had been yard mates for 11 years.

I let Swab into the garage, where he went and stood by Cotto He barked at her, then gave her a long sniff.

He then went and laid down in the far corner and just stayed there.


Swab refused to leave the garage. He's never done that, as he knows the routine, come in for some loving, a treat and then back in the yard.

I had to take him by the collar and bring him outside, where he again, stood by the door and barked at Cotton. My father said that Swab could stay in the garage while I went to dig a grave. My father wasn't able to help, he's 75 years old, even if he was a young man, he couldn't have helped.

I left the door open to the garage, Swab NEVER came out to help me. He was always a helper.


It took me over an hour to dig a grave, as it was steadily raining. I was soaked to the skin, head etc. At least my feet were dry. Love my duck boots.

This was also having just come from my lousy sleep study. Barely had any sleep at all last night.

Imagine what the rain and lack of sleep did to my FM.


Cotton was buried, me & father were crying, Swab refused to leave the garage. My father said that Swab could stay there for awhile.

My father and brother in law, went to help my brother move, thank goodness Chet is close to my father's age, good for him to have someone to talk to.

Swab is still refusing to leave the garage. My father says he can stay, just hoping he won't make a mess, as he'd never been house trained.

We'll see what happens tomorrow.