Remo and mommy both struggling
I have been going back and forth about Remo's health and what to do for months. He's had arthritis for about three years now but we have been able to treat it with good results until around 8 or 9 months ago. This time last year I didn't think he would be with me another year but he suprised me. For the past few months he has really started getting worse. We've tried every medication and suppliment my vet could think of. Some made a difference for a while but nothing has had any long time effect the past couple of months. The past three days he hasn't been able to take more that 3 or 4 steps without falling. I so concerned about this because I'm afraid he'll fall and break something. He's 15 so I know his bones have to be brittle. He has no muscle tone anymore. I give him massages and move his legs. I don't think it helps but he likes the massages. I work during the day so he is home alone (except for my boyfriends Lab) until I get home. He can no longer hold his urin and pees on himself. Every day he gets a partial bath or 2 or 3 so he doesn't get urin burn. I let him lay outside to air dry during the day which he seems to enjoy. Everything he does the past few weeks seems like such a struggle for him. He hasn't gotten up on his own in a couple of days now. He eats good but it also wears him out. I have to change his bedding 3 or 4 times a day. Four days ago I found a couple of sores on his foot and ankle. When he does stand he stands on the tops of his paws (neurological) most of the time unless I straighten them out for him. He eats but he is still skin and bones. You can't really tell because of his hair. He has a homemade puppy cut. I make sure he doesn't lay on one side too long or lay in his urin long and yet he is still getting tiny sores on his hips. Probably where he wallows on his bed. I feel like I've done everything I can for him but have failed him some how. I feel like I've let him go on like this too long but at the same time I don't want to give up on him. It broke my heart when I found the sores on his hip. That when I felt like a bad mommy. I called his vet and he's coming to the house Tuesday evening to see him at home. I help him cross until Thursday, if I can bring myself to do it. Can't work after that. I know I'm being selfish but this is killing me. I just lost my cat so I feel like I'm losing most of my family all at once. I put my 17 year old sheepie to sleep in 2001. I almost forgot how hard it was. |
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| I am so sorry that you are having to go through this difficult time.
When my 14 year old, Beardie, Millie fell and couldn't get up, we waited 3 days to see if she could recover. When she was still unable to stand and or walk on her own, I made the decision to help her cross the Bridge. The day she left me, was a glorious day of treats and family and her 'sister' Pearl being by her side the whole morning. She dined on cold milk and fresh chocolate drops from our neighborhood bakery--I don't remember how many she ate...but she ate as much as she wanted. I was with her, holding her and telling her what a perfect friend she was and I told her it was OK to go..WE would be fine and she would be my angel now.... I was a mess for a long time, missing her everyday...and of course I still miss her, but I know I did the right thing at the right time....FOR MILLIE AND FOR ME~~~ You will know when the time is right....You will know because you love Remo and he loves you...WHATEVER decisions you make from here on out will be the right ones. Please let us be here for you. Find support and friendship on this forum-- and a compassionate ear, whenever you want to 'vent' as you put it.... most of us have walked in your shoes and know what you are going through. My thoughts are with you.... |
| Thank you for responding. Your kind words help. |
| You haven't failed Remo.
I know you don't want to let him go....but at this point it sounds like the best thing you could do for him. It's one of the blessings that comes with being a loved and well-taken care of pet - when it's time to go there is the love of your life there to give you that gift. My thoughts are with you....it's such a hard time. Give Remo every bit of love and whatever decadent treat he'd like and let him indulge. Hugs. |
| Sounds like you have done your best and given Remo a long wonderful life. Now you need to continue to do "what is best" and make some very difficult decisions. It is never easy to know "when" is the right time to let a dog go but when the time is right you will know it and it is a final loving act for all the love and companionship you have shared. |
rdf wrote: You haven't failed Remo.
I know you don't want to let him go....but at this point it sounds like the best thing you could do for him. It's one of the blessings that comes with being a loved and well-taken care of pet - when it's time to go there is the love of your life there to give you that gift. My thoughts are with you....it's such a hard time. Give Remo every bit of love and whatever decadent treat he'd like and let him indulge. Hugs. I agree completely. I am so sorry that you and Remo have reached this point. It is incredibly hard but you won't regret a single day that you spare him of further pain. My heart goes out to you. . . |
| We were where you are with our old english cross Polly. She couldnt hold her wee and her legs kept going. She was almost 13. She couldnt get upstairs to sleep in our bedroom. We carried her up there but she got so upset as she kept weeing. One night we made her comfortable in the kitchen and left the radio on for her. We were giving her full cream milk which she loved. In the night the rest of the house slept but I came down every little while to see her. She hadnt moved but wagged her tail when I spoke to her and kissed her. It seemed that every time I came to see her "Angel" by Shaggy was on. I still cant listen to that track. We took her to be pts next morning, we had to carry her to and from the car.
What I am trying to say is if the time is right you owe it to your baby to help her. There is no easy way out, But we are here for you....  |
| at times like these we feel we don't do enough but you have done everything,, prayers are with you |
| I had to let my Alex go 2 years ago this month. She was 13 and falling. I couldn't take it and she was in such pain. It was truly the best thing for her. They will hold on forever to please you, but they really need the help to say goodbye. I know your pain and it's only been 2 months since we lost our Clyde to cancer. I hope you can help your love one. |
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