We had to let Alfie go.......

[luckylady]

We had to let Alfie go today. He had just turned 14 yrs old. He lived with a slight heart murmur all of his life...whether that had anything to do with his passing or whether it was just old age, I'm not sure. Within just this last week is when this hit him. I may have noticed that he wasn't eating quite as much, then looked at him just a day or two ago and noticed how skinny he was looking. And his breathing looked so deep and labored. We took him to the vet this morning, fearing/knowing the worse scenario and our fears were confirmed. He had lost 5 lbs (since his weight was taken last June).As we waited for the results of the xrays they took, I held this 29 lb dog in my lap and in actually feeling his stressed breathing next to me, I just cried. The xrays showed that his heart was enlarged and fluid was building up, not in his lungs, but in his chest, crowding the lungs, which was what was making it difficult for him to breathe. The vet used a term (starting with a P) which I didn't quite catch while I was there, but upon returning home I looked up those symptoms in a book I have and Pleural Effusion describes it almost to a tee. The vet said that she also suspected that there was probably a mass there somewhere too and that the prognosis was not good. We could have given him meds or such to try and get rid of some of the fluids, but even with that he would at best last just a few days to a week longer. We knew it was time to let him go, but even knowing that, actually giving the go ahead was the hardest thing to do. We stayed with him til the end, I held him, told him we loved him and what a good dog he was We've had him since he was 8 weeks old and he was one of the nicest dogs I've owned. He is being sorely missed today and will be remembered with love always. Rest in Peace, Alfie - we love and miss you!

[Yorkiekids]

So very sorry for your loss.

[JennS]

What a wonderful life you gave your Alfie... I know you will miss him!

[scrappysmom]

I"m so sorry .sending prayers for your family.

[abbie's mom]

Rose,

Deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved friend...

RIP, Alfie

ada, abigail, and mozart

[Patti]

So sorry for your loss. You did the right thing for him.

[YorkieShadow]

So sorry for your loss, RIP sweet baby.

[Rudys Mom]

I am so sorry for your loss. I too, think actually being the one to tell the vet to put our precious furbabies to sleep is one of the hardest things we will ever do. Rest in Peace, dear Alfie. He knew he was dearly loved.

[YorkieMom55]

Rose, I'm so sorry. Alfie was blessed to have you & your family love and care for him for his his 14 years. What a gift to have been with you at the end, loving him, holding him like you have done his entire life. My prayers are for your grief and comfort.

[daisy mae06]

Rose (((HUGS)))) I am so sorry for your loss. Alfie was a wonderful Guy. I know from meeting him he had the sweetest puppy face and was wonderful loving friend.
I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[kalina82]

I'm so sorry you had to let Alfie go today you gave him such a long and happy life full of love. He will be greatly missed.

RIP Alfie

[Judy in Waco]

I am so sorry. I cried when I read about how you were with him and holding him at the end. I know he was important to you and loved by you. It sounds like you always did what was best for him right up to the end. RIP sweet Alphie.

[Keno]

so very sorry to hear of your loss, but you gave him a fantastic life for 14 years ... and I know that is not enough time, but at least he knew love from you .... and he was able to look back and see happiness ... those pictures are heartwarming ... RIP, little guy!!!!

[littlewhip]

Iam so ver sorry for your loss. prayers are with you.

[akcyorkies4u]

I am very sorry to hear of your loss.