Just unloading a little worry on the blog today. Perhaps sharing my 'raw' thoughts is not going to leave you all with a good impression. I've always said 'keep it real' and these thoughts I'm sharing are full of emotion and truths that are hard to swallow.
Snuffy. Poor little girl. She still has many, many seizures all day and night. I've done all I can in the way of medicine for them and it didn't work. We focused on her heart and give her two meds for it. Her energy went up some and she no longer sounds like she is gurgling when she is breathing. Good but there's still problems.
See the picture? Look closely at her sunken in ribs and the round belly. She has lost muscle-mass and her belly is full of water from her heart problem.
A long, long time ago I found myself silently objecting to what I thought was 'extreme measures' when I heard of a lady who had her dog's stomach drained every few weeks due to its heart failure. I thought it was putting the dog through too much.
Well...I'm faced with that very dilemma. Do I go through these 'extreme measures'? There are times I look at her and I think it is time to say goodbye but there are also times she begs and begs for treats, which to me means she has life left to live.
She is also becoming incontinent, likely due to the water pills. She just fills up and doesn't have time to make it to her potty area.
Something just doesn't feel right about ANY decision we have to make.
We don't sleep well due to her seizures but we suffer through with her because parenting a child or a fur-child means through good times and bad.
I've found myself wishing for an easy out. I am ashamed. Sometimes I just wish she'd fall asleep and not wake up so we don't have to decide anything.
I don't want this little one poked in the belly. She won't understand.
I don't want her put to sleep with the 'shot of death' when she is aware and awake. She won't understand.
Something seems so wrong to end a life or to pick an arbitrary line as to how far you'll go to prolong a life.
I know pet parents understand. We've all been there. Each time is different. Each situation has a set of issues to consider. It's not easy and I'm beside myself.
31 comments:
When the time came for my Rottie to go when went through exactly what you are going through. I prayed for the easy way too and I felt so guilty over it but I rationalized that it would be better for her...that eased the guilt I felt. But wishing and doing the easy thing never met up until the last bit when my Rottie laid on her bed struggling for breath. Crying I got her into the car and took her down to the Vet where we came out to the car and looked at her and instantly knew it was time. As he went into get what was needed I talked to her and told how much I loved her. I told her it was ok to go, that she could look after me on the other side...somehow I saw in her eyes, she knew this too...I cried on her, and hugged her and kissed her goodbye as she fell asleep. Then it was quiet and I bawled like a baby all the way home. I wished there would have been a better way...a way to fix her but there wasn't. We brought her home and buried her proper. It's been years now and I still go visit her, and talk to her. Every now nad then I sense her near and it makes me smile.
So I do know what you are going through and I hope that your baby finds her way soon. It's not easy to think about and I'm not saying this out of meanness, I say it out of total compassion and empathy for all of you. May God's merciful light shine on you all.
I'm so sorry. I well remember very similar circumstances and the pain you're going through now. I'll keep you all in prayers; you'll do what's right when the time is right, I'm sure.
Oh Parsley your post today brought back my memories with Trudie and our Zeus. I do not know what the answer is except whatever you do make it be a decision that you can except and live with. Do not rush into a decision, which I know you have not,...it is the final act of love that we do for them, something that they cannot do for themselves. I know those are easy words to say,...my heart goes out to you, I am sending you a prayer and hug today from me to you.
Deb
Saying a prayer for your fur baby...and for you.
I understand.
Love,
Jackie
It is a very, very difficult decision - and it will be filled with second guessing later.
But it shouldn't be - I know (I just do) that you will do the absolute best for her - not for you - or others - for her. And she is blessed in her illness to have such loving caregivers as your family - and she knows it - and will treasure that forever.
Been in your spot...it's HARD for sure, but I know that you will do the best for Snuffy whatever you decide! She knows that you love her, and when the time comes that you will be by her side. God bless all of you in your very painful time...
ohhh (((huge hugs ))) been there seen and done the same thing ...that decision is the hardest one to make as you wonder if you are doing the right thing by keeping her going or doing the right thing by letting her go ... there is no easy answer but just know that you have done everything in your power to make her comfortable and happy and loved love mouse xxxxxx
It is so hard. My advice? Ask the vet what he thinks. He will have a better idea of what she is going through and will be able to give you impartial advice. It is hard to be objective when it is your furbaby xx
I can't begin to know what you are going through as I don't have a pet. I do know though that you will make the right decision and that you will make it out of love. HUGS!!
So sorry to read this.... whatever decision you're going to make, I'm sure will be the best for your dog. This is heart breaking, hugs xxx
All we can say is that if the diuretics are not working and she is not good you know in your heart the time has come. Having just lost Pippin and having to go down that road we know how hard it is. Truthfully we listened to the vet and went away and saw things were going downhill and made the very, very hard decision. They come FIRST always. Talk to your vet and then take it from there. God bless.
We feel for you very deeply and it brings back very sad memories of a time not long ago.
Be brave.
Best wishes Molly.
Oh Parsley, my heart is heavy hearing this, poor sweet baby.....never easy decision but never want a our beloved pets suffering...big Hugs Francine.
I can understand how hard this situation is. We have dealt with this with a dog and a cat in the past few years and it is always hard on everyone involved. I will pray for peace for you in whatever decision you have to make.
The only advice I can really give is to be WITH her when the time comes. I know you have not rushed into anything and have tried everything you could think of. Somebody said, talk to the vet. I agree. If it comes to draining her belly, maybe you could try it once and just see how Snuffy reacts. If she does not react well, then you won't ever have the regret or "what if". If she reacts positively, she's not ready to go.
Don't feel guilty about wanting the choice to already have been made. Everyone feels that. Whatever you decide to do, know that it will be the right decision as you're led by a higher power.
That's so hard, and I don't envy you one bit. I'm just going to pray for guidance for you, I know you are doing the same. God Bless you...that's a difficult situation...
hooooo poor sweet baby =(
reading your words breaks my heart
I went through this years ago with my dog and I know how you can feel
you have done everything in your power to help her and always have done the best for her :-/
a big hug to you 2
XXXX
You brought tears to my eyes just reading. I'm so sorry for the choice you have to make. I love my furbabies and I can tell you do too. You will make the right decision...I can just tell.
I am so so sorry Paisley. Some dear friends of ours just went through this same with congestive heart failure and their dog...the dog was filling up in a few hours and they had to let it go to the Rainbow Bridge. I hope things work out with the least pain for all of you...don't want any of you to suffer. Concentrate on the good life you gave your dear friend.
Heartfelt sympathy to you and everyone who loves your little fur-baby. You and Snuffy will make this decision together. She knows that everything you do is because you love her. Whatever and whenever you decide, it is theright decision, because it is made with love. hugs
Such a no win situation you are in. When you don't know what to do, just wait. The answer will come to you. And if the time comes that you need to make a decision you will know it. So sorry. We do love our pets. They bring us such joy and unconditional love.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with situation hon. It IS a hard decision to make....no matter how you look at it.
I had to make the decision to have my cat put to sleep as I was having to hand feed her in the end and she was in kidney failure. It was time and I knew it but it didn't make it any easier in the end. I knew she would be much happier without all the suffering.
Sending BIG HUGS and PRAYERS your way.
Sending hugs and prayers....
Parsley, I am thinking and praying for you, Snuffy, and the res of your family. I agree with a few others that you should get the opinion of Snuffy's vet. When the time comes, she will help you make the decision. Sending you gentle hugs.
Robin in Virginia
I faced this dilemma too with my lovely dog. We struggled on together for far too long. I wish the vet had just said 'Enough' sooner. I wish sometimes vets would take away some of the responsibility and ease the decision for us. My regret now is that I left it too long for my poor girl. I feel so selfish keeping her with me when she needed to go. I am so very sorry you are facing this and my heart goes out to you and Snuffy. Irene xxx
Lots of {{hugs}} to you and the family.
Been there myself on few occasions.
The only thing I can say is that when it is time, you will know that you are giving your loved pet the ultimate love by letting them go and will not hesitate to do what comes naturally to make them at peace.
much love xxx
Thinking of you and sending hugs.
Sorry to hear of your dilemma. I don't know if this will help or not but I thought I would tell you our story. About 18 months ago our Sheba was put to sleep. She had been ill for around a year or so before that. She had diabetes which was pretty much uncontrollable. Half a unit of insulin a day left her hypo almost the whole time. She was incontinent and had lost a LOT of weight. We kept persevering with her but with hindsight her quality of life can't have been great. We were discussing her a while ago and all of us were quite upset that we should have had her euthanized some time before we actually did. We all felt that we probably kept her as long as we did because we didn't want to let her go. It's a guilt that we will have to live with, that we didn't do the best by her.
Good luck with making your decision, it is a hard one!
It's such a difficult decision. We went through it with our Snickers. I know in my heart you will make the best decision for Snuffy.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers and sending HUGS.
While it is not an easy decision to make (yes we have been there done that) the main issue is quality of life.
Hugs
This was so painful to read. I'm so sorry that Snuffy (and all of you) are having to face these difficult physical problems. You're right, there is no good solution.
It makes me especially sad that our dear fur-friends must suffer the consequences of sin. Death is a cruel thing, especially when animals have done nothing to deserve it.
i will pray for the Lord to be abundantly clear as to what you need to do. Or that He will take Snuffy home to His side.
GOD BLESS.
Parsley,
The day came for us when Buster looked at us in pain for help and there was nothing we could do but free him from it. I could not prolong his pain to avoid my own. As I type this, my throat is tightening and I am holding back tears.
You are in my prayers.
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
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