I'm so sorry. I am sort of going through the same thing right now, I have a 14 year old mutt named Teddy. He has been with me for such a long time. We have had so many adventures, walked so many miles together. The world has changed so much since I got him.
When he was younger he was a force of nature. No back yard could hold him. We would go hiking for miles, and he was always ready to go for miles more. He would climb chain link fences like they were nothing.
A few nights ago I was woken up by Teddy howling in a strange way, I jump out of bed and find him in the kitchen, maybe 10 feet from my bedroom. He slipped on the tile and couldn't get his legs back under him. In his struggles he peed on the floor. It ripped my heart out to see him lying on the floor in his own urine. He was so strong and full of life when he was younger.
His eye sight is almost gone, we think he is deaf. He is in kidney failure. There are most certainly times when he is confused and not himself. He falls down, and is so slow on walks.
He won't be around for much longer. I love him as much as I can while he is here. I take him on nice walks. I help him onto the couch. I make his life as happy as I can. I take him to the vet as needed. That's all we can do.
Take comfort in the fact that Tina is one of the very lucky ones. She is warm and safe and loved. You have given her a happy home, and given her love and purpose. Celebrate her life well lived, and be warmed by the thought she will be out of pain, and will be young and happy, waiting for the day she sees you again. Best of luck. |