How to deal with letting go... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Yorkie 3 · 03-28-2006, 02:16 PM

As many of you know my sweet 3-year old Chelsie had a severely collapsed trachea and has now had three major surgeries.
Breifly~
In July she had stent surgery, followed by a laraynx tieback due to it being paralyzed from the stent surgery.
7 weeks post op. the tieback failed and she required a bilateral tieback...
Bad deal, left her airway completely open, and exposed.

She unfortunately is not doing well at all, due to a constant battle with pneumonia.
The last few days have been exceptionally hard on her, and she is getting so weak.

I'm having such a hard time dealing with the reality of losing her.
She still seems like such a baby, it's just not fair.
I know I have done everything I can to save her, but it is obvious that the sparkle in her eyes is fading.
The thought that I might have to put her down just absolutely breaks my heart...
I pray it doesn't come to that...

I know everything happens for a reason, not sure about this one~

The breeder gave me Lydia (3/4 Yorkie 1/4 Maltese) in October.
She is the sweetest little blessing. So happy and playful.
It helps to have her around, it's like she was sent to brighten up the day,
and take away a little of the saddness...a little angel.

Kara

(Pic attached;(1) Chelsie and Lydia sleeping (2) Lydia)

Madvelazquez · 03-28-2006, 02:19 PM

Your babies are beautiful. I will have your baby in my prayers. My sister's yorkie has a collapse trachea also and she is thinking about the surgery. It is so hard for her also. Her baby is 5 years old.

txshopper73 · 03-28-2006, 02:36 PM

She's beautiful! It's never easy to let them go. It's a difficult decision for all involved.

Cheska's Bella · 03-28-2006, 02:41 PM

How sad!!! I seem to read so often about Yorkies developing this. What causes it???

bchgirl · 03-28-2006, 02:42 PM

I am so sorry Kara. You're right it's not fair....not at all. I really think there comes a time when you must make the difficult decision. When I had to do it with one of my cats, it didn't hurt any less, but I could not bear to see her suffer any longer. And truth of the matter, she was suffering because I couldn't stand the idea of not having her here. Kinda selfish of me....she's in pain so I won't be.... finally I did what needed to be done. Shed many tears over it. I completely understand. It's one of the hardest things a pet lover has to do.....

Amanda7 · 03-28-2006, 02:43 PM

My heart breaks for you, because I know how painful it is to see a beloved pet suffer. You have done all that is humanly possible for her, always remember that. I hope and pray she pulls through this, she is so young. My thoughts are with you. (and both your babies are very beautiful).

Jaspermom · 03-28-2006, 02:44 PM

But it does sound to me like you have done everything you can. You have to think of your girl now. Does she have the quality of life that she would choose?

I am sending you healing hugs and positive energy to help you make it through this very difficult time. I am so sorry you have to make this decision. All the best to you.

sashajade · 03-28-2006, 02:55 PM

thats so sad

i know what your going through my sasha had a heart attack and i gave her mouth to mouth and got her breathing again but the vet told me if it happened again i should have her pts as they couldnt do anything for her,and 2 weeks after her first heart attack she had another one and as i had made up my mind to let her go this time i had to just hold her and watch her stop breathing which broke my heart but it wasnt fair on her to keep her going till the next attack and then the next,what made it even worse was she started breathing again on her own so i had to make that horrible trip to the vets and have her pts. its the hardest thing i have ever had to do but i know it was the right thing to do for her.i knew in my heart when the time had come and when she had had enough and so will you hun. sending hugs to you and your furbaby.

Patti · 03-28-2006, 03:14 PM

I am so sorry about Chelsie. I had to make the difficult decision to put my Gracie down 9 years ago due to a severely collapsed trachea. I did everything could to keep her quality of life but after a year and a half ofher fighting I took her in and the vet said she is strugling for every breath she isn't enjoying life anymore. She was 6 1/2 years old and the sweetet dog I ever owned. I hope and pray that Chelsie can improve and you will know when it's time. Please keep us posted.

RMKC · 03-28-2006, 03:19 PM

This must be soo hard and my heart is breaking for youand your Baby, my prayers are with you !

Oscar's Mom · 03-28-2006, 03:52 PM

I am so sorry that your Chelsie is suffering with this and so sorry that you may be placed in a position to make a decision for her. But you will know when the time comes when her quality of life is such that she would not want. I have had to do this in the past and it is not easy. But you find comfort in knowing that the suffering for your beloved pet is over and they are released from the pain and can go on to a place of rest where there is no more pain. I had to put an 11 month old American Bulldog down due to a heart defect that had caused heart failure and severe fluid to build up where he could barely breathe. I held him as the vet put him to sleep and I promise you, he never suffered, he never felt any pain, it was sudden and very humane. Talking about it now brings back tremendous pain and sadness, but that is just for me...not him - he is at peace. I pray for strength for you in this time and if it comes to having to make the decision to let her go, I pray for peace for you to make the right decision for her. God Bless you.

Surfie and Tiki · 03-28-2006, 04:37 PM

I am so sorry Kara about your Chelsie. Losing a loved one is so hard, but you, as her caretaker will know when the time is best for her. My beautiful Taji kitty was diagnosed with liver cancer last year. He was absolutely my pride and joy. Every morning I got up and made him fresh halibut first to see if he would eat, then fresh salmon, and then chicken. Even if he ate a few morsels of each I was happy, as he so wanted to live and be with mommy. When he finally stopped sleeping with me, I knew it was time. I took pictures before he took his forever nap and made him my screensaver, that helped a lot as I was able to talk to him every day. A friend also gave me a Willow Tree angel, which had a kitty in her arms that I was able to kiss, and let him know how very much I loved him. The time span on his illness was two of the worst months of my life. He could have gone on but I wouldn’t let him lose his dignity, which I felt he was. I did everything humanly possible for him.
He was my best friend for thirteen years, the very reason I decided to get puppies, as I knew I couldn’t replace him. He now lives through Surfie and Tiki, and our precious new Kona kitty, who has so many of his traits it’s frightening. Here are pictures of the night before he passed. I was so devastated and asked to see a sign that he was in Heaven. Two days later a parakeet flew into our backyard to let us know he was ok, and loved us. He stayed just long enough for me to get the camera and take a picture. Our pets do live on, if it brings you any comfort.

Gingergirlsmom · 03-28-2006, 04:53 PM

My hearts breaking for you...and I am praying for her recovery.

That being said, trust your heart. You know your baby and you'll know if the time comes. It's never easy, just love your little one and go with what you feel is best for her.

Keep us posted, and I'll keep you both in my prayers.

MzG · 03-28-2006, 04:56 PM

I am very sorry to hear about this and will keep you and your baby in my thoughts!

JeanieK · 03-28-2006, 05:22 PM

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It's not easy to do. You have to think of it as taking their pain onto yourself. It's hard but it's the very kindest thing that you can do for them.

May God give you strength to do what you have to do and peace afterwards.

03-28-2006, 02:16 PM	#1
Yorkie 3 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 44	How to deal with letting go... As many of you know my sweet 3-year old Chelsie had a severely collapsed trachea and has now had three major surgeries. Breifly~ In July she had stent surgery, followed by a laraynx tieback due to it being paralyzed from the stent surgery. 7 weeks post op. the tieback failed and she required a bilateral tieback... Bad deal, left her airway completely open, and exposed. She unfortunately is not doing well at all, due to a constant battle with pneumonia. The last few days have been exceptionally hard on her, and she is getting so weak. I'm having such a hard time dealing with the reality of losing her. She still seems like such a baby, it's just not fair. I know I have done everything I can to save her, but it is obvious that the sparkle in her eyes is fading. The thought that I might have to put her down just absolutely breaks my heart... I pray it doesn't come to that... I know everything happens for a reason, not sure about this one~ The breeder gave me Lydia (3/4 Yorkie 1/4 Maltese) in October. She is the sweetest little blessing. So happy and playful. It helps to have her around, it's like she was sent to brighten up the day, and take away a little of the saddness...a little angel. Kara (Pic attached;(1) Chelsie and Lydia sleeping (2) Lydia) Attached Thumbnails

03-28-2006, 02:36 PM	#3
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 14,226 Blog Entries: 1	She's beautiful! It's never easy to let them go. It's a difficult decision for all involved. __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley

03-28-2006, 02:42 PM	#5
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 15,444 Blog Entries: 2	I am so sorry Kara. You're right it's not fair....not at all. I really think there comes a time when you must make the difficult decision. When I had to do it with one of my cats, it didn't hurt any less, but I could not bear to see her suffer any longer. And truth of the matter, she was suffering because I couldn't stand the idea of not having her here. Kinda selfish of me....she's in pain so I won't be.... finally I did what needed to be done. Shed many tears over it. I completely understand. It's one of the hardest things a pet lover has to do..... __________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com

03-28-2006, 02:43 PM	#6
Amanda7 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern New York Posts: 1,307	My heart breaks for you, because I know how painful it is to see a beloved pet suffer. You have done all that is humanly possible for her, always remember that. I hope and pray she pulls through this, she is so young. My thoughts are with you. (and both your babies are very beautiful). __________________ Snickers & Baxter Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.

03-28-2006, 02:44 PM	#7
Jaspermom Yorkies Rock My World! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,721	It's the hardest decision But it does sound to me like you have done everything you can. You have to think of your girl now. Does she have the quality of life that she would choose? I am sending you healing hugs and positive energy to help you make it through this very difficult time. I am so sorry you have to make this decision. All the best to you. __________________ Glad Mom to Jasper, Wosie & Dreama, RIP sweet babies.

03-28-2006, 02:19 PM	#2
Madvelazquez Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 520	Your babies are beautiful. I will have your baby in my prayers. My sister's yorkie has a collapse trachea also and she is thinking about the surgery. It is so hard for her also. Her baby is 5 years old.

03-28-2006, 02:41 PM	#4
Cheska's Bella YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 681	How sad!!! I seem to read so often about Yorkies developing this. What causes it???

03-28-2006, 02:55 PM	#8
sashajade YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: kent england Posts: 1,646	thats so sad i know what your going through my sasha had a heart attack and i gave her mouth to mouth and got her breathing again but the vet told me if it happened again i should have her pts as they couldnt do anything for her,and 2 weeks after her first heart attack she had another one and as i had made up my mind to let her go this time i had to just hold her and watch her stop breathing which broke my heart but it wasnt fair on her to keep her going till the next attack and then the next,what made it even worse was she started breathing again on her own so i had to make that horrible trip to the vets and have her pts. its the hardest thing i have ever had to do but i know it was the right thing to do for her.i knew in my heart when the time had come and when she had had enough and so will you hun. sending hugs to you and your furbaby. __________________ Facebook group yorkies & small terriers worlwide needing fur-ever homes & deathrow Zac Brandi Suki

03-28-2006, 03:14 PM	#9
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I am so sorry about Chelsie. I had to make the difficult decision to put my Gracie down 9 years ago due to a severely collapsed trachea. I did everything could to keep her quality of life but after a year and a half ofher fighting I took her in and the vet said she is strugling for every breath she isn't enjoying life anymore. She was 6 1/2 years old and the sweetet dog I ever owned. I hope and pray that Chelsie can improve and you will know when it's time. Please keep us posted. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

03-28-2006, 03:19 PM	#10
RMKC Rosi & Poli's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 5,428	This must be soo hard and my heart is breaking for youand your Baby, my prayers are with you ! __________________ ROSI & POLI Love my Babies

03-28-2006, 03:52 PM	#11
Oscar's Mom My Little Biker Dude Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,065	I am so sorry that your Chelsie is suffering with this and so sorry that you may be placed in a position to make a decision for her. But you will know when the time comes when her quality of life is such that she would not want. I have had to do this in the past and it is not easy. But you find comfort in knowing that the suffering for your beloved pet is over and they are released from the pain and can go on to a place of rest where there is no more pain. I had to put an 11 month old American Bulldog down due to a heart defect that had caused heart failure and severe fluid to build up where he could barely breathe. I held him as the vet put him to sleep and I promise you, he never suffered, he never felt any pain, it was sudden and very humane. Talking about it now brings back tremendous pain and sadness, but that is just for me...not him - he is at peace. I pray for strength for you in this time and if it comes to having to make the decision to let her go, I pray for peace for you to make the right decision for her. God Bless you. __________________ ****************** Debbie G. - Oscar's Mom ****** PRAYERS FOR ALL THOSE KICKING CANCER'S BUTT!!! **************** RIP SHARON 8-10-63 to 9-21-08

03-28-2006, 04:37 PM	#12
Surfie and Tiki My little Beach Bums Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,218	I am so sorry Kara about your Chelsie. Losing a loved one is so hard, but you, as her caretaker will know when the time is best for her. My beautiful Taji kitty was diagnosed with liver cancer last year. He was absolutely my pride and joy. Every morning I got up and made him fresh halibut first to see if he would eat, then fresh salmon, and then chicken. Even if he ate a few morsels of each I was happy, as he so wanted to live and be with mommy. When he finally stopped sleeping with me, I knew it was time. I took pictures before he took his forever nap and made him my screensaver, that helped a lot as I was able to talk to him every day. A friend also gave me a Willow Tree angel, which had a kitty in her arms that I was able to kiss, and let him know how very much I loved him. The time span on his illness was two of the worst months of my life. He could have gone on but I wouldn’t let him lose his dignity, which I felt he was. I did everything humanly possible for him. He was my best friend for thirteen years, the very reason I decided to get puppies, as I knew I couldn’t replace him. He now lives through Surfie and Tiki, and our precious new Kona kitty, who has so many of his traits it’s frightening. Here are pictures of the night before he passed. I was so devastated and asked to see a sign that he was in Heaven. Two days later a parakeet flew into our backyard to let us know he was ok, and loved us. He stayed just long enough for me to get the camera and take a picture. Our pets do live on, if it brings you any comfort. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Janell, Surfie, Tiki, and Kona

03-28-2006, 04:53 PM	#13
Gingergirlsmom and Bernie's mom too!" Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,283	My hearts breaking for you...and I am praying for her recovery. That being said, trust your heart. You know your baby and you'll know if the time comes. It's never easy, just love your little one and go with what you feel is best for her. Keep us posted, and I'll keep you both in my prayers.

03-28-2006, 04:56 PM	#14
MzG Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NOR CAL Posts: 51	I am very sorry to hear about this and will keep you and your baby in my thoughts! __________________ Casper and his Mama =)

03-28-2006, 05:22 PM	#15
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It's not easy to do. You have to think of it as taking their pain onto yourself. It's hard but it's the very kindest thing that you can do for them. May God give you strength to do what you have to do and peace afterwards.