[KimInMD]

I work with a local rescue. We recently had a Yorkie I was going to adopt, but a lady with much recent loss in her life applied for him, and they were a good match. I was sad, but let him go, knowing that I really wanted to add a Yorkie fur baby to my family. The group even said they would be on the lookout for me at the shelters and mills.
Two weeks ago I found a little female Yorkie running down a four lane road 10pm on a snowy night. She had a crust of bread in her mouth, and she thought we were trying to take her food. She was dirty, and I cut 1 1/2 lbs. of mats off her. Her toenails were embedded in her footpads. The groomer said her nails had not been cut in over a year. Her ears were infected, she's deaf, she has dermatitis, she's missing teeth, and the ones that are left are rotten & need removal. They are embedded in her sinus cavity causing weeping eyes and runny nose. She was used as a breeder. She is not spayed, and has at least 3 mammary tumors which need removal. Her knees are bad (luxating patellas sp?) Worst of all, she has Canine Cognitive Disorder (doggie dementia). She is up pacing all night long. We started her on Anipryl yesterday (it's $60 per mo.) The vet's best guess is that she is 10+. He really doesn't know how long she has left. I tried hard to find her family, but no one has stepped forward to claim her. I really think she was dumped because she is no longer a money maker. It's so sad what she's been through. I am already so attached to her. She is such a love bug, She follows me everywhere, and sleeps in my bed (during the short time she does sleep). I love this little girl more every day. She is so special and perfect to me. I am willing to put out big money to get her the medical care she needs, even though she is not yet legally mine (30 days / 2 wks. left). Even with all the treatment, the dementia is not going to go away, though the meds can possibly slow the degeneration down for awhile. Am I just foolishly wishing I can "fix" her? Does she have a shot, or am I just prolonging her time on earth because I am being selfish? She has so much going against her, and I know it's going to crush me to lose her. Humans haven't done right by her, and I want her to know what it feels like to be special, and loved and the pampered princess she is to me. I am so torn. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? I want to hear the truth, whether encouraging or painful. What would you do if you were in this situation? I'm sorry this post is so long, but I can't ask for your opinion without giving you all the facts. Thanks so much for listening. I feel blessed to have found this site. I've spent hours reading and becoming informed. You guys "get it", and understand how I feel about this little fur baby. I trust your advice. Thank you for being there. BTW- I named her Lucy.