Kim, I am so sorry about Lucy, prayers for the sweet girl and thank God you found her and she has a good home now.

I am currently helping my neighbor treat her Min Pin with Sub- q fluids twice a week. Ray, the Min Pin is an older guy, 13 years old who is blind and may have some dementia. When I was watching him this summer he stopped eating so I took him to the vet, we found out from test that Ray's kidneys are only functioning at 25%.

His Mom decided to treat it with the fluids, it is not so bad treating Ray but it takes two people (one to hold him and the needle and one to squeeze the bag, we are not very good nurses).

I will keep Lucy and you in my prayers.

Kim, thank you for the update. I am so happy that you have this special time with Lucy - I am sure you will make the most of it so that you will have cherished memories of the time you have left with her. You both remain in my thoughts and prayers.

You and Lucy remain in my thoughts and prayers. She is so lucky to have you and to be so loved.

No, by far, I am the lucky one to have her. She has brought so much joy to our household. She is such a special little girl.

Somehow I had a feeling you would say that. :) Those of us who have pups for years and love them, know how much they give to us. I don't think it would be possible for any human to give the unconditional love and happiness to another human that a beloved pet can give to it's owner. They truly are a blessing. :)

Kim, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Lucy. She reminds me so much of my sweet Isabella. I hope the pain medication helps her and allows her to be comfortable and happy for as long as she is willing to keep fighting.

Kim,

I'm so sorry you and your little one are going through this.
I know this is such a difficult time.
I will keep her and you in my prayers.

I feel for you and Lucy and hope that the pain meds bring some comfort. I can't say anymore than has already been said, we have all endured these awful times and our thoughts are with you.

Louie is 17 1/2 yrs old has collapsing trachea which the vet gave him a cough suppressant. He lost his hearing a few years ago and his sight had become a little dimmer. Still loved to be loved and ran this house and everyone in it. A few weeks ago he was diagnosed with lymphoma and responded to CHOP (geriatric version of chemo)extremely well! I have notice since the chemo he wanders and paces constantly. I find him staring in the corner not knowing where he is. I had read on this site someone suggested anipryl for doggie dementia. I will ask vet on Monday but am gathering info now. Louie isn't doing well but I can't give up on him.

I am asking myself the same questions. Louie is old as well responded to chemo very well. Collapsing trachea is being treated with cough suppressant. Hasn't been able to hear or see well for along time. Now is totally blind and wanders and paces constantly.

I am asking myself those same questions. Louie is very old has responded to chemo well. Collapsing trachea is treated with cough suppressant. Hasn't been able to hear or see well for years. Now totally blind and wanders and paces constantly and am suspecting doggie dementia. The vet said you will know when it's time but I'm not sure I can ever make that call. I have always told my sons not to use any extreme measures to keep me around if I have dementia but now I can't do the same for my sweet boy.

How do you know?
 

My Louie is very old and has responded to chemo well. His collapsing trachea is being treated with cough suppressant. He hasn't been able to hear or see well for year but now is totally blind and wanders and paces all day. I suspect doggie dementia. The vet said you will know when it's time but I don't think I will. I have told my sons not to keep me hanging on by extreme measures if I get dementia but now I can't do the same for my sweet pup.

I'll say this as delicately as I can as I don't want to hurt or offend you ever - not ever, especially at a time like this. I'm so sorry for both of you. This is the hardest of times for a doglover - the worst. But we must always put dogs first as they cannot speak for themselves or fix what's wrong. They put their trust in us to always think of their well being first. Think of him - whether or not he's suffering living this way, constantly pacing as he can't and apparently knows nothing else to do. Only you know if your dog is miserable and not living a quality dog's life. If you are keeping him alive when his life is miserable and he's not enjoying his life, that's coming from your best interests and not really out of love or what's best for him. Ask yourself if your actions are prolonging his misery and let him go if you think they are.

I am so sorry you are going through this. My little girl, Ashley, suffered from Canine Cognitive Dysfunction the last year of her life. She was very close to seventeen when she passed away. We agonized over whether we were doing the right thing for Ashley by keeping her alive. We saw her doctor every two months, often more often, and I always asked him to tell me if he felt her quality of life was low. He really felt, with the help of Anipryl, that she was still a happy little girl. He told me that Ashley was still very responsive to me, and that was a good sign. The Anipryl was not a Miracle drug, but it helped my little girl, enough that her anxiety, confusion, and pacing were better controlled. If I can be of any help, please let me know.

This thread is very long, but it has a lot of useful information.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...er-yorkie.html

I think you have to decide if you're prolonging their life or prolonging their death.

I know it is one of the hardest thing in life to do . . I have this to remind me what is most important. I thought I would share it with you.

A Dogs Prayer
--Written By Unknown Author, 1982

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick for, though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn. Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear. Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing, and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger. And, my friend, when I am very old, and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath that I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.... I will always be your best friend.

Thank you for this...

Louie has passed what I thought may be doggie dementia was either an infection in his brain or the cancer. Either a dire outcome, he was so tired and wouldn't eat or drink. I called a service that comes to your home and my grown children were there to be with him. My sweet boy almost 18 yrs with us and forever in our hearts. He will be missed as long as I live.

I'm not sure how the messaging works but Louie has passed. What I thought to be doggie dementia was determined to be either a cerebral infection or the cancer either dire outcome. I had a service come to the house and my grown children came to say their good byes. I will miss him forever...a little dog that carried a big stick!

I am so sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Sweet Louie.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Louie.

so very sorry for the loss of your beloved lil Louie.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I understand how you are feeling. I hope the following passage helps comfort you.

A Living Love

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember . . .

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter -- simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room -- and when you feel it brush against you for the first time -- it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet -- and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives.

And on this day -- if your friend and whatever higher being you believe in have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own -- on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you -- you will feel as long as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul -- a bit smaller in size than your own -- seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.

And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg -- very very lightly.

And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lie -- you will remember those three significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--
-
As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when -- along with the memory of your pet -- and piercing through the heaviness in your heart -- there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love -- like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow -- and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets -- it is a Love we will always possess.

~~by Martin Scot Kosins

Beautiful words

I am so sorry for your loss. Your Louie was so lucky to have lived a long life with a loving family. I know that your pain is great....I hope in time your good memories of him will sustain you and ease your pain.

Rest in Peace, Louie

I am so very sorry for your loss.
It is always so hard when we have to say good bye to our little furbabies.
You are in my prayers.