Thank you.
When this first happened I was very back and forth but in the end I just couldn't let him go back knowing the fate he'd have or let go of someone (a dog but 'someone') we had bonded to already and he had finally started to bond to us-he had his first seizures only a month maybe two or three I'd have to check after being with us.
I'll be totally honest I did really consider sending him o rescue when I was told about the costs and when the bills started piling up...then I decided yes rescue is the answer, as he sat on my lap and I looked at rescues available, I looked down at him and had to imagine giving him away and him being gone-the realization was too much I just couldn't do it.
My major concern was not having my children see a dog go through this and not make it (I was super uneducated about it all back then too-epilepsy, and we weren't sure what it was but I was told he might not live much longer or may need to be put down if he didn't come out of a seizure-which unfortunately is still a reality we may face). In the end I had to think about our attachment to him, his to us, and what would I be teaching my kids--if an animal is sick you just get rid of it, it might cost too much or be too emotionally painful?
I want to teach my children about responsibility and treating pets as full family members so this is what we chose. However I imagine even if I had followed through with rescue...I'd have gotten there and not been able to let go of him..
I try not to judge those who consider these options, I've been there, I considered it, however when the realization hits you make a choice, I know mine and why and I can't understand why anyone would choose any differently than I did.
It was very hard to sit and video him being unable to reach him under the chair. I could have grabbed and pulled him out, but I didn't want to stress him more until the seizure was over.
Elvis' seizures are very different from what I though a seizure looked like I hope these videos can help anyone else to recognize that seizures aren't all grand mal or lesser in intensity-they can take many forms.
Elvis was initially deemed the $10,000 dog by my best friend in a loving mocking kind of way...however Elvis' care has surpassed that already-in 2 years- and
I hope people realize the financial impact of pet ownership when you have a serious illness. I may go broke, he might not live a long life, but we will treasure the quality of life he has and our time with him, for however long it may be.
Again I really appreciate everyone's kind words, I'm not sure how I could emotionally, mentally get through this without the Yorkie Talk community, thank you all for being here.
