OK friends- I need advice please
 

Lucy is old. The mammary cancer returned and is growing rapidly. She also has dementia, and is deaf. She can't have more surgery because of the kidney disease. We've done such a good job keeping it under control, but this last week she has really gone downhill quickly. We see the vet today, and I'm sure she will want us to begin giving her the IV bags daily which is a form of canine dialysis. I will do anything for my sweet girl, but isn't poking and probing her just making her last days more miserable? If kidney disease were the only issue, I wouldn't hesitate, but she is so sick from so many terminal things. I'm in anguish. I love this little angel so much. So, here's the question. If she were yours, would you do the daily dialysis treatments, or would you just love her, spoil her, and cherish the shortened time you have left with her. I'm so confused. Please give me your opinions.

Letting them go
 

We had to send our little girl, Avery to doggie heaven 2 weeks ago. Hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I wanted her to get better, and fight more, but her body just would not let her. My wife had to convince me her suffering is not a good thing for any of us. If you think she will suffer another day then it is time to let her go into the spirit world with all our friends and family and other loved pets. We miss her dearly but it was time to say goodbye. I would not have done it any other way, we were with her until the last second and she was comforted all the way. I hope this helps. The hurt of missing her will never go away.....

I'd love her and spoil her, I'm sorry you are going through this, may God grant you strength. I think you know in your heart of hearts what you should do.

I am so sorry....I don't think there is anything worse than having to make a decision like this. All I can say is that whatever you decide will be right...there is no wrong.

As for the fluids, it is really not that bad...usually about 200cc subcutaneously and the needle has never bothered any that I have had to do that with. But...would I do it with a pup like Lucy...I don't think so...but I don't know. It really is an individual decision and I am sure you will come to a decision that is right for Lucy.

I will keep her and you in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for the strength you will need to make this decision.

One of the hardest decisons i ever made was to have a little poodle put down
years ago, she had cancer and we loved her so much...Hugs to you

I am so very sorry that you have to make this decision. When I was placed in a similar situation with my very first Yorkie, Laciebug, I asked my vet, "Is it time?". My wise vet told me, Laciebug will tell you when it's time, listen to her. So that would be my answer to your question, Lucy will tell you when she's ready to cross over. Listen to her and listen to your heart. Keeping you and Lucy in my thoughts and prayers.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
This is the hardest fork in the road any of us every face with our beloved pets....and the few times I have had to go here, I have found your vets words are sooooooooo very true.....when your baby is tired and does not want to fight any more, she will look at you and you will see it in her eyes...she will let you know she can not go any longer on this side. Like Ladyjane has said, there is no right or wtrong here...you have to make the decision that you can live with in your heart. I dont ever encourage anyone to go one way or the other at this juncture.....you make the decision that you know in your heart and soul is right for your baby and yourself. I do believe your baby will let you know when she is tired and wants to let go....and you will support her in that decision.

This is so true and such good advice. Your baby will tell you when shes had enough. Please trust that and in the meantime continue all the love you have given her all these years...and she will remain always in your heart. Sending lots of prayers your way.

I have had to make this decision more times in the last twenty years than I ever wanted. Each time is was heart wrenching, depressing and I questioned myself on making such a decision for another living being. In the end, each and every one went peacefully. I prayed that I would wake up and they would have passed during the night sparing me the decision but that never happened. You will make the right decision for you and your precious baby.
Hugs.

Kim , You know my thoughts on this. It is very close to what I am going through with Willow.It's a very hard decision to make. Some days she is her spunky old self and others she is just not wanting to deal with anything. So I wait . Call me .

I carry this in my wallet...have carried it for at least 35 years.....I think it is beautiful.....
It is 4 paragraphs long actually, but I will only print the last paragraph.... the last paragraph is so beautiful......

"And my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing, or sight, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me here....I have lived for the fun and happiness we have shared, and I am no longer able to share that with you. Look deeply into my eyes.... Please, see to it that my life is taken gently, kindly, humanely, close to you, in your arms. I will leave this Earth knowing, with the very last breath I take, that my fate was always safest in your hands."

...and again, I cry........

Beautifully said

Kim I am so sorry you are faced with this. I came here over the summer seeking advice and counsel for our sweet Boxer Coco who was almost 13. She had Cushings, reoccuring UTI and bacteria infection, blind, deaf and could hardly walk. A lot of people here told me you will know when it's time. Honestly I couldn't fathom really knowing, but the day Coco stopped wagging her tail and was nonresponsive to our touch we knew. It was the hardest decision my husband and I have had to make but we did it for her. She is forever in our hearts and memories.

Give Lucy a hug and kisses from Georgie and I. We will be praying for you all and I am here if you need me.

This is beautiful and I can't tell you how many times I read it when you posted on my thread about Coco.

Kim we are all here for you.

Oh how beautiful! That's the way both my husband and I feel about each other :D. Oh if only we could be as kind to our human loved ones who are suffering and at the edge.

I have suffered through "letting go" of doggie friends, a goat and a beloved horse. Losing a pet is never easy, but just knowing that their last breath was taken in my arms was the greatest last bit of assurance that I took care of them through the end.

Beautiful.

Kim, I am sorry you are facing this very difficult decision for Lucy. I am confident that you will do what is best for her.

very true words..I would say the exact same thing. Only you ..who love her so much..will look into her eyes and know what you have to do & when .. My precious girl passed in May this year. She had, had a heart murmur for yrs which eventually became CHF. She was treated for her heart condition for some yrs & was very happy & well.. She eventually became blind and lived like that for a further two yrs. I had friends who told me I as cruel in keeping her alive on pills and a dark world. I saw she was comfortable and coping well. But then her symptoms took a turn for the worse and she developed Renal failure (& that was sudden onset) as well as CFH. She was put on a renal diet which she hated, increased lasix for her congested heart as well as her heart medication. She was then hospitalized & on IV fluids. How can all this be 'love' I had to ask myself? ..I asked for her to come home where we could love her and she would be comfortable and not stressed by a hospital.. I then had to give her subcutaneous fluids under the skin in her neck.. but it was a vicious circle as her heart wasn't coping with the kidney flush..even with increased lasix. She coughed & was so tired. I had her at home one week when I saw it in her eyes lying in her bed which she didn't want to get out of. We stayed with her to the end at the vet that day when the angels came to collect one more tiny angel to join them..the saddest day of my life..R.I.P my darling Bo ..Ax :cry:

I have been there and done too many times. After I have done every thing medically possible, and I know for fact nothing more can be done. I do so cherish and love on them the best of my ability. All it takes for me is that look they have in their eye's and that is their way of telling me it is time. I have held on 1 time far longer than I shoud have, because I was selfish. After that I knew I would never do that again. I gave of my heart and let mine go peacefully now, when there is nothing more.
Now I'm crying. It's almost a year now I lost my heart girl Lizzie (15 yrs old).

Saying prayers for you and Lucy.

Oh Kim! I am so sorry that you are facing this difficult time. I had to make this decision for my 17 year old Dachshund this past year. Like others have said here, she let me know when it was time. Like your Lucy she was suffering from heart disease, dimentia, and cancer. Please know that I am praying for you and Lucy.

Thank you all for taking the time to answer. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved babies. Even though time has passed, I feel your pain is still so raw. I so appreciate your transparency even though it brings up the sad memories of your loss. I want to learn from your experiences and great wisdom. The doctor did a full bloodwork, and gave Lucy some sub-q fluids. The vet will call tomorrow with the results and her opinions after she sees what the bloodwork shows. I can pretty much already tell her what its going to show. Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart. I'll update.

I'm so sorry I lost my baby 11 days ago hardest decision to have them end his suffering I know I made the right choice but I know it's hard to decide what's best. Again I'm so sorry

Quoting avemike..."Only you ..who love her so much..will look into her eyes and know what you have to do & when .."

It's so heartbreaking to have to see that look in your babies eyes. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Hugs and prayers to both of you.

so many wonderful posts and such good advice, unfortunately this is a decision most of us pet owners are faced with at one time or another. As the vet said to us when making the decision to put our 18 year old cat down. She had mini strokes that left her back legs paralyzed but after lots of massaging by us she was able to get around a little, but still failing. He said if she was young you might look at this differently, but she is elderly and not going to get better, she should not have to suffer. I alway think that the most unselfish act we do for our pets is to let them go peacefully, quickly and secure in our arms.

Kim, my heart goes out to you. I'm sorry Lucy is so sick:unlove:

Checking in to see what the vet said. Praying for you and Lucy.

Kim, I'm just seeing this and so sorry that you are facing this with your sweet girl. I know your pain and anguish as do we all and only hope that when the time comes, you can find some peace knowing she is out of pain. I'm so sorry.

I'm just checking in to see what the vet said. I just want you to know that there is an after life and out babies are there too. I won't go into details here but I attended a John Edwards event ( the medium) and I was fortunate to be read. At the end of the reading he told me there was a little chirppy dog with my son. He motioned and up and down jumping with his hand and said it was a little dog like a yorkie. I was amazed. That was my little Gina. That has helped me so often when I think of her to know that she is happy.
Bless you with your decision.

I too have just seen this thread. You have entered on the path we all must travel with our pets.

I used to think, before I lost my first pet, that when folks very kindly said to me, "you will know it is time"; it was a well meaning but not a factual statement. But then I had to make a decision to put my first dog down.

It was very very true. This beloved dog is in your heart, and she in yours. Trust in that connection, that will lead you to the right decision, in the right time.

My deepest sympathies to you and yours at this time. (((hugs)))

I'm sorry to not be on often, but Internet at Mom's is just awful. It's out more than on. Anyway, the vet called and as I already knew, the cancer is spreading. Surprisingly, her kidneys are doing better. Dr. Stacey feels that Lucy is in pain. She wants to try a course of pain medication before making any decissions. She feels we may see a different Lucy if we can manage her pain. I'm not willing to let her suffer, but I'm willing to give it a try. I bought a stroller and I take her for walks everyday. She loves the sun and ocean breeze. It really makes her happy. Lets see what the next week brings. I still know decision day is coming, but I guess I need to know we did everything we could. Again, I thank each and every one of you, friends, for your wisdom, prayers and concern. I am a blessed woman to have such a wonderful support system. You all are just the best.