Thank you everyone who left a comment, or sent an email about Wolfgang. And a special shout-out to Big Country who called to cheer me up. As you can imagine I've been fairly wrung out, but thanks, bro.
The Queen Of The World and I are determined not to let him suffer. He's not at that point yet (thank goodness) and so we're focusing on pain management and quality of life.
But many thanks, everybody.
14 comments:
Borepatch: We have always found that they will tell you when its time, usually when they stop eating because our dogs eat both raw and high quality food. The only exception was December of 2018 when my wife was going away and our Rhodesian Ridgeback Ernie was very close to that time. Because of work, I would not be able to get him to the vet in a timely manner, so we decided to do the deed just before she left. Ernie had a large cancerous tumor in his neck that was making breathing and eating difficult. He lived almost 2 years after diagnosis, and 17 months past his expected date, but the tumor just kept getting bigger. His last few weeks were spent sleeping on the couch curled up next to me. I treasure those memories and am constantly reminded of Ernie when my current Ridgeback Eli curls up next to me the same way every night while watching TV.
We have been through it many times and it never gets easier.
I'm so sorry, BP. Just read this & the previous post. It's never easy.
We care and understand.
b g
It's is never easy.
So sorry man. It's never easy. I found the bonus days at the end with my mom's last dog to be very good days because I appreciated them more. I hope you find the same.
Been there. It's almost never easy to send a beloved pet over the Rainbow Bridge.
I share a tale of woe simply because it may offer suggestions. Our second Goldie, Annie, developed hip dysplasia and arthritis that was making it painful for her to walk. Our vet prescribed Carprofen (generic Rimadyl, think Aleve for dogs), and it was like taking three years off of her. When that stopped being completely effective, he added Gabapentin and Oxycontin. We used to laugh about our "junkie" dog, getting her narcotics at Wallyworld. But it gave her a year she would not have had otherwise. The vet was amusing when he cautioned us that "some dogs like to be stoned, and some don't". Annie did well with the meds, and we asked ourselves every day for a year how would we know when the time was up. Well, it happened about 4am one morning when she could no longer get up at all. My wife asked "What are we going to do?" My answer was simply "We're going to do what we have to do. The hardest thing I've ever done is about to become the second hardest." The vet was very accommodating, and Rosie didn't even have to leave her beloved van. She came out to us in the parking lot, and was as gracious as anyone could ask for at such a time.
All that I can say Is I'm sorry. I don't at all look to the time when it comes for my own dog.
We lost our Faust (GSD, 13) to the same circumstances this past summer. He just couldn't get around anymore. And it hurt. It's your last duty to your friend though, take comfort in that.
Peace be upon you, TQOTW and Wolfgang.
Just went through it myself BP.
Don’t do anything until you know the time is right. Make his last days the best you can. When his time comes, take your lumps and do it right: be there with him, and the wife too. There are no shortcuts. Nor should there be.
You all will do well.
I'm very sorry to hear about your beloved family member, Wolfgang. As so many have said before me..."We don't deserve dogs." They are such beautiful, attentive, and bonded creatures.
They share so little of out time, but fill it with the luminosity of a thousand suns. We do not deserve them.
I knew it was time to let Jigsaw go when he stopped eating and walking,
Got your Six, anytime, any place Brother.
I -do not- use that term lightly.
You and the Queen been there for Me and Wifey, so I'm just returning the favor.
Much love from her BTW... it really upset her that her fur-buddy ain't doing so hot.
Hang in there, we'll do some 'trigger-therapy when the time is right. Blowing the ever-living-phuq out of stuff always helps LOL.
BCE
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