I've not posted in a while, so I'm pretty sure most of you won't remember me or my furbabies. I'm writing about our senior girl, Sasha; whom we adopted about 1.5 years ago. Sorry this is rather long, but I just hope maybe someone will read this and realize that spaying, nutrition, and dental care are absolutely necessary in providing our babies with long and happy lives...
Sasha was about 12.5-13 years old, in very poor health, and had been abused. Her previous owner couldn't remember when she last had seen a vet, and murmured something about Sasha's having mammary tumors in the past. I wanted to give her a good home for her last few years on earth. It seemed like she would never come around, but about 10 months after living with us, she finally perked up. She began to wag her tail, to attempt to play, and even sometimes to cuddle.
Then, the descend began...
About 3-4 months ago, we noticed Sasha's odd behaviors increasing. She began to pick fights with Xavier & Holly; to cry for no reason; snipping at anyone other than my husband or me; constantly licking; shaking randomly; and her joints began to bother her more...
Last month, we found a great vet who tried to help us discover the cause of all the odd behaviors. The random crying? Most likely caused from the fact that she has mammary tumors because she was never spayed and her arthritis has spread more rapidly than expected. The constant licking? Due to her rotted teeth, that her previous owners never once brushed or had cleaned. Her previous diet had consisted of whatever dog food was least expensive at the grocery store. I believe the lifetime of carelessness for her nutrition also plays into her poor dental condition. The shaking? Maybe from a combination of the health problems mixed with the neglect and abuse she experienced in all her previous years.
I've had several sleepless nights this past month, and on those nights, I've listened to Sasha cry in her sleep. I feel like a horrible Yorkie mom because there is really nothing I can do for her. The vet is afraid to do any surgery because at 14, there really is no way of knowing how she will respond.
My husband and I feel that it is most likely time to send her to a better place. A place where she will be happy and free. Where she will feel love and understand what it means when someone tries to show her love. I feel so terrible about the thought of putting her to sleep, but she is so miserable. I've never had to do this with any of my pets, and it weighs so heavy on my heart.
I hope that she will at least have happy memories when she does cross the Rainbow Bridge. I don't really know what to say. Just was kind of hoping to hear from others who have been in similar positions.
Thank you for reading all that!