What an horrific encounter you had. I will pray and keep positive thoughts for you both.

Lynzy I only know what my working breed trainer coached me in; and that is a stout walking stick. It is not used to beat two fighting dogs, but to break jaw holds. Or to flip the dogs leg from under them.

And I do walk with one.

Sending prayers for you and Gina.

Sadly - me to! It's not looking good. I'm going to head over there soon and just sit with her for a bit. If the bowel is beyond repair, if the damage is to severe to repair, if the recovery is going to be to agonizing, I can't put her through it, I can do alot - but alot is up to Gina, I hope and pray when I go see her this afternoon I'll know what's right. I don't want her to suffer if there's no real chance, but I don't want to give up on her if there is!

Im just now seeing this. I am so very sorry! I will pray for your little Gina and hope that all will be well.

Im so very sorry ...i will be praying that all is well with Gina and for you as well. (Huggs)

I understand where you are coming from with the assessment of her condition and the quality of life she will have....It is sometimes almost easy to be cavalier and say all the right things, ie...."Dont let her suffer", "Put her down", "she has lived a good long life", etc etc etc....but OMG....how hard it is to actually sit there with them, looking up at you, with eyes that plead for an explanation of what happened to them, or a look begging for help, or that soulful look of resignation to their fate, a battle they clearly do not have the strength to wage....I feel so awful for you and poor little Gina....I pray soooooooo hard for the news to be good and for the look in her eyes to say, "OK momma, lets get this show on the road! I'm ready, momma! Bring it on!!!!

Very true. I'm not good at being cavalier. But sadly, when I went to spend time with Gina, the right decision was very clear.

Despite heavy pain meds, Gina was in pain. Her eyes pleading for help. We decided to go ahead and sedate her before I made my final decision. The damage was so much worse then I imagined. Intestines weren't affected, and there was no hole to the abdomen - But there was a MASSIVE amount of muscle that was just gone. It was much deeper then even I realized. Before sedating her we had her comfortable enough that we attempted a quick neuro exam. There was no pain response in the leg below where most of the damage was, and as extensive as it was - Little chance that it would have come back. We would have had to have taken the leg off. She was old, she had a bad heart murmur and early stage heart failure, she had mammary cancer and we had even been hesitating to spay her because of all her other health problems. And with the amount of pain she was in despite some very heavy pain medications, I had to follow my heart and listen to Gina. She let me know she couldn't take anymore pain. Her eyes where pleading for me to help her, and there was nothing more we could do. The chances where pretty poor that she would have even made it through the surgery that would have been required to remove the leg and try to save her. There where just to many other things to factor in, especially her age and health. So I told them not to even reverse the sedation and wake her up. I let her go on the table, holding her and kissing her and telling her how very much I loved her. I didn't want to make the decision, I called my friend that runs the rescue I've been fostering her for. She left the choice in my hands because she knew I wouldn't make the decision lightly. Really there was no choice. It wouldn't have been fair to her to put her through the long, lengthy, painful recovery it would have taken, if she even survived it. Oh my sweet Gina, my heart breaks for you, I feel as though I failed you!

NO!!!!! You CERTAINLY have NOT failed her.....She has trusted and depended on you to make the best decisions for her....you have made the most difficult decision any of us EVER have to make for our babies......I know I dont have to tell YOU this....just hold her close and talk sweetly to her and let her go peacefully on to Rainbow Bridge.....you know these babies do not know what is ahead of them....she does not know you are going to release her from this pain...all she knows is RIGHT now.....the immediate present......when you hold her close as she goes, she is feeling so very safe and loved, laying in the arms of the person she loves most in the world, and when she drifts off to sleep, pain free, warm, comfortable, pain free, and snuggled in your arms, THAT is what she knows....THAT is what she takes with her....OMG....I AM DYING HERE...POOR LITLE GINA....GOD SPEED, LITTLE GINA GIRL....ssoooooooo sad for you............I am saying what I believe with my heart to be true.....but I dont know if I would have YOUR unselfish love....which is what you need to let her go...you are really better than me.........

You gave your little girl love at a very special time in her life as a senior, and you tried to protect her the best way that you could. Sometimes, no matter what we do, we are unable to protect our babies from harm. I am so sorry for what you and Gina had to endure. When you had to let her go, it was because you love her so, and you made the only decision you could to prevent her suffering. Gina has left an imprint on your heart, and the love you shared will last forever. I'm so sorry for your tragic loss.

I am so sorry. Gina counted on you to do the best for her and you did not let her down. She left this world knowing how loved she was.

I am so very sorry. My heart hurts for you. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. There is no failure here,you are a wonderful mommy to the babies that you care for. I pray that you will find peace in the coming days.

RIP Sweet Gina

I'm so sorry for Gina, Bless her heart.:( I\'m praying she\'ll get stronger today and will be able to have the surgery she needs.:tinyheart

RIP Sweet Gina.