this is Jacob Marley aka chubes (7.5 lbs) 15 yrs old. he's been on medication for an enlarged heart for some months now. he gets nasty coughing spells that have been getting worse this past week. a few nights ago he coughed all through the night, so i switched to giving him meds in the evening, which has helped him get the sleep he needs, but the effect doesn't last for more than 12 hrs, so he coughs in the daytime. because he's so tiny, it's risky to give him a pill every 12 hrs. i sing to him when he's finished coughing..he listens so carefully until his eyes begin to close, then he gives a big sigh, snuggles his head in the blanket and has a nap. when he's not coughing, you'd never know there's anything wrong, but this heart condition is fatal, & all i can do is make him as comfortable as possible. i try to be cheerful when the boys are awake, as they get concerned if they see i am upset, but it is so hard..i want them to be happy...if you could send us some strethening thoughts, that would help a lot
and this is his half brother, lil' Joseph O'Reilly aka lil' tippy toes ,15 yrs old, 4lbs. he was coughing a bit today, and i am so afraid for him...these dear little souls have been by my side every minute of every day ..if i move from one room, so do they..we've been through some hard times together, and even when things were really bad, they always managed to make me smile, or laugh out loud..i don't like to think of how empty my home will be without them