Living with a dying dog

[maddiemouse]

Oh, MrVisible, what a rough time you're going through now. My heart just hurts for you.
Looking through Bones' gallery, what struck me was his beautiful face, and those EYES! No one who looks at those eyes could ever believe that dogs don't have a soul.
Bless your heart for giving him such a wonderful life, and bless your heart too, for having the courage and the love to let him go when you knew it was the best thing for him.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
Anatole France

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh, boy, I'm sorry about Mr. Bones. Your words express so well how it goes: one minute they're there, the next, they're gone. So hard. May it comfort you that so many of us here have been through it, too.

I enjoyed your story, this part brought me to tears:

I found him in a junk shop in Apache Junction, AZ. The owners of the junk store had rescued him from the desert the day before; he’d been left in a plastic bag with the rest of his litter, and he was the only survivor. There was a little group of kids clustered around him in the store, pulling him around by one of his legs, and he looked up at me and asked me for help.

You were meant to find him and be together from the sound of it! Sounds like he had the type of life that many dogs can only dream about.

Remember, he will live in your heart forever. I also believe we'll see them again someday. At least, I'm counting on it. I have 5 up there, I'm sure it will be quite a reunion.

Be well and let us know how you're doing.

 

[lizdotcom99]

I understand your fear, pain frustation, anger and hurt at this time. Friday I put the little furry love of my life down. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. He had a tumor in his hips...most likely cancer, but we could not be 100% certain without the biopsy. If it was cancer, it was not in a favorable location anyway....and if it was, we heard things similar as you....if operable, there is a good chance it will pop up somewhere else.

We watched Barkley suffer for a week. His daddy and I had differant thoughts on what suffering was...I saw great pain in both of my guys. It was a very long and hard week here. Finally, Greg knew he needed to let go and let Barkley go to a place where he would hurt no more. Thursday I took my little guy and gave him his last hug and held him tight. He hurts no more.

Greg and I hurt like hell and have hopes that as each days passes this pain will become a little less raw. And I do have faith that it will...it will just take some time.

I wish you all the best in everything. I know how hard this is and that your struggles to get through another day can be your biggest challenge. Come here for support when you need it. Many have been in your shoes...you aren't alone. Come vent, share a story a picture or a tear. We will all be here with you. Many hugs to your and your family as you go through this very trying time. I know you have LOTS of memeories of Bones..may you find some peace in those memories and best of everythingwith your Grace.

 

[Minniespal]

Very sorry ~ When the time comes you will let go. A dog not only is a pet but a member of the family. You will grieve for their passing.

 

[Snowysmom]

You and your furbabies have had a really bad time. I am so sorry for your loss of Bones. It sounds like you made the right decision for your pet.

I have taken care of a dying dog, just this past year. My westie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in one of her vertebrae last November. She was only given weeks since the tumor grew back quickly after surgery to take out what they could. We decided not to do radiation and chemo. I didn't want to put her through that when it probably would not have made a difference. She lived until mid April so we had another 5 months with her. I had to take alot of care of her, empyting her bladder, diapers, carrying her places. But, she was still interested in life, the family, visitors, and especially food. As long as she wasn't in any pain, we spoiled her rotten. She loved McDonalds french fries and quarter pounders with cheese so once a week we would share lunch. The day I knew we had to let her go was when she was having trouble breathing. It happened fairly suddenly and we just knew. I feel good knowing we spoiled her with love, attention, and her favorite foods. I miss her terribly!

It is a hard road to travel but knowing you are caring for your furbaby with love, attention, and whatever little treats they like, makes it a bit easier. Take pictures, videos, and have keepsakes. When you do have to make a decision about your furbaby, you will know you are making the right decision and can do it with a loving heart. Best wishes to you.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Now that enough of the tears have stopped... your tribute to Bones was beautiful. I'm so sorry that you've had to go through this with Bones while worrying about Gracie too. It's so unfair. When I had to put Pooh down 2 years ago, what got me through it was knowing Mystic was waiting at home, the "new " dog (2 yrs old by that time, but still new compared to Pooh's 16 years). My heart truly goes out to you.

Our animals truly are members of our family.

 

[MrVisible]

Once again, thank you all for your loving support. It really means a lot to me to have this thread here.

Things are getting better, every day. There are waves of sadness that pass over us, when we see his old leash, when we open the refrigerator door without having to ask him to move first, and sometimes just for no reason at all. But the waves are getting shallower and further between, and we're focusing more now on the happy memories we have of his life.

And we're spoiling Gracie completely, of course.

Thank you.

 

[lucas]

I'm so sorry....

 

[Mnchkn11]

Oh my goodness... How sad! Isn't it just amazing how these animals become a member of the family? My yellow lab is almost two and she is like my child. I just don't know what I'd do without her. MrVisible, I wish you the best during this time. You still have the memories and can always look back and cherish the time you had together. On that note, time to go give the little one a big hug!

 

[MrVisible]

A bit of an update, with a weird bit of news.

We took Gracie to the vet on Friday because she'd developed a couple of new symptoms. She'd been eating less, and she seemed less coordinated and more stiff than usual. The vet examined her thoroughly, and then recommended that we should try treating her for Valley Fever, just in case.

For those who don't know, Valley Fever is a fungal disease that lives in the dust here in Southern Arizona. Everyone here gets it eventually, and mostly it does no harm. Some cases are severe, and have pretty weird symptoms.

Gracie doesn't exhibit any of the classic symptoms of Valley Fever, such as coughing or, well, fever, but she has a couple of little symptoms that match. She tested negative for it a couple of weeks ago. But the vet says that she's seen one case in her career where the muscle degeneration Gracie is experiencing was caused by valley fever. And as she put it, if we don't try it, we'll always wonder.

It's such a long shot that the vet gave us the (very expensive) antifungal medications for the first two weeks for free. If we see any positive signs, it means that we'll have to treat Gracie with some very expensive medications for months, or years. But she'll be alive.

So we now have a tiny, tiny glimmer of hope. I'm not letting myself get too excited; she's already tested negative, and the symptoms don't match, while she has pretty classic symptoms of the relatively common tumor. But it's worth a shot if we can keep her around.

As the vet's assistant gave me the medication, she also handed me the white plastic box containing Bones' remains. It was surprisingly heavy, and surprisingly light. She then proceeded to tell me how to take care of Gracie on this medication. I had to have her tell me twice.

We're planning on scattering his ashes on a nearby mountain on Thanksgiving day.

 

[yoopermom]

I completely understand what you're going through. In April, I had to put my beagle, my soulmate, down, he was 13 and the absolute love of my life. The only thing that got me through the next few months was our other old house dog, who then developed congestive heart failure (altho I always thought it was a "broken heart" due to losing her buddy), who I had to have put down in September. I still cry almost every day at some point thinking about how much I miss the two of them. They're buried at the top of the hill overlooking the back river in our sideyard, so I sit out by them often reading a book or just telling them about my day.

I think that unless you're a true dog lover, you don't understand these things. Lucky for you there are a lot of dog lovers on DISboards.

Hugs,
Terri

 

[escape]

MrVisible, I'm so sorry for Bone's passing.

Sending and well wishes for Gracie. May she continue to warm your hearts for a long time to come.

 

[disnut1149]

I can't even read all of these. I could be hysterical crying!!. I lost my mini schnauzer, Jock, last January 4th to Diabetes. He was on insulin for 2 years and went blind. I have another dog, Bandit Samantha, and she'll be 13 in February. I can't even think about anything happening to her. She had her ACL operated on about 6 years ago, and has since developed arthritis in that leg. She is now limping a little, and was giving her baby aspirin, but am now going to start her on something stronger from the vet. Just wanted to tell you that I got Jock at the SPCA and they think he was about 2, and I had him for 10 years. Bandit and Jock were great friends and I know Bandit misses him a lot. She's always with me and has helped me get through Jocks passing. She's just like a peson to me and my family loves her as if she were a person. She's the best!!!!

 

[cc1075]

I'm sitting here crying so hard I can't see my screen. Beside me sits my beautiful golden - Skilly - diagnosed with cancer! Yes, I so understand - she understands my every thought as I do hers. The end is coming and it hurts so bad. She has been my faithful friend for over eleven years. Althought I have gone through this many times before - the good byes are never easy. We are share this common pain and love. No one can understand the love of a fur companion - it truly is unconditional. My thoughts are with you and Gracie as we both share this difficult time together.

I have my fingers crossed on the fungus!!!!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have been through this more than once. It is never easy. You never forget them. I would just try to make your time with them as comfortable as you can for them and really just enjoy them.

 

[cocodog]

Last night, I was going to sleep beside our lovely pit bull Gracie, and was petting her face when I noticed something odd. Her cheekbone was unusually prominent. I turned on the light, and it was like all of the muscles on one side of her face had just vanished.

It was the first time I'd noticed it, but in retrospect she's been rubbing her face a lot lately. I showed my husband what was happening, and the first thing the next morning we took her to the vet.

There's really only one cause for facial muscular atrophy on one side (unilateral temporalis and masseter atrophy, I think it's called) and that's neurological. And the most likely candidate, according to my research and the vet, by a wide margin, is what's known as a trigeminal nerve sheath tumor. The vet did some blood work to confirm, but it seems like she's pretty sure. We'll know more on Tuesday.

I could take her to an animal neurologist, and have X-rays and MRIs done, and even have her operated on, but from what I've read the operation in itself is pretty risky, and has a slim chance of success. And we'd feel terrible about putting her through that. And we can't afford it anyway.

If it's what we think it is, she's got a few weeks. Maybe a few months.

We have another dog, Bones. He's fifteen years old, and he's getting kind of creaky, and I've been telling myself that he's had a good life, and when he goes, we'll have Gracie around to keep us company. But now, it looks like we may lose them both soon.

I don't really know how to handle this. My first thought is to listen to the vet, take whatever steps I can to make this better for her, and try and make both dogs as happy as possible for as long as they've got.

But I have to go in and sleep next to her tonight, knowing that I'll lose her soon. I just don't know how to do this.

Can anyone offer my husband and I any advice on coping with this? Anyone had any experience with a pet whose life was coming to an end? I could really use some advice.

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. We are not far away from losing our dog, either. She is 15+ years old, and has some significant health problems.
I don't have any words of wisdom, other than to enjoy this time with her. We got a 'new' dog (not a puppy) a few months ago. I was not in favor of it while Heidi is living her Golden Years, but ds needed a 'sturdy' dog! Anyway, I do feel that this will lesson the sting a *tiny bit* when Heidi goes.

I feel like she is still happy with us, and not in severe pain, so we are enjoying out time together. It is never easy, though, and takes aLOT of time to get better.

Thinking of you,
Jeanie

 

[Stitchfans]

no advice. just

 

[JessicaR]

Ugh I read the original post and went through the gamut of emotions and finally saw this post is over two years old.

I am still sorry for the OP'er.

 

[mirmartinez]

When you really love a pet they are a part of your family. We lost our dog about 2 years ago and I still miss her even though we have another dog now. Our dog, Kira, had diabetes and was very ill for the last year. Friends told me it wasn't worth the hassle to take care of her (insulin shots 2x per day, special diet, etc...) but I needed to feel like I did everything possible for her. I'd do whatever you can for her.

My mother's dog was in need of special care the last two years of her life.
My mom who has MS, was wearing her self out caring for her dog. Friends and family were concerned at one point that the dog would be my mom's undoing. They didn't understand the hassle either, my mom just believed it was the right thing to do
After observing the situation, I stepped in and would go over multiple times a day to care for my mom's dog.
I am not a "dog person", however, I am a "mom" person and it was important to my mother that she did not give up on her old friend.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I'm sorry your dog is sick and you're going through this hard time.