I need help with decisions, PLEASE
 

Hello, I am Ta2rose59. I have two beautiful yorkies. One is 14 yrs old (male-Rudy), little female(Gracie) is 7. They love each other so very much. My little male, Rudy is sick. He had been coughing for the past 2 months, it progressively got worse. We went to the vet to find out if it was a collapsed trachea. As it turned out, when we had xrays and blood work done, we found he had two masses. One on his heart that is pushing on his trachea, causing his cough and the second is in his stomach. I love my little Rudy, but I don't think he could withstand the surgery, which might not work anyway. We are keeping him comfortable, as much as we can. He is just wearing himself out. He still eats, potties, and walks, a little bit, maybe 15 steps before he has to stop. Someone please help me understand when it is time to stop putting bandaids on his illnesses. He has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart, he has pancreatitis, the chronic cough, the two masses, and fatigue. He takes a cough suppressant, he takes the diazepam to help him stay calm, and although his blood work shows no infection, we're doing an antibiotic just to fight any infection that may occur. I am so heartbroken. He has been my best friend for 14 years, I don't want him to not have any quality in his life, I do not want him to be in pain or suffer. Please help, Please.

Oh honey, I'm so sorry for your baby. =( I've never had to make "that" decision and I am very scared for the day that I do. I have no words of wisdom or help but I send virtual (((HUGS))) your way. It sounds as though you have already made your decision, you really do have to do what is best for your baby. You know him better than anyone.

i am sorry you have to face this decision and for his diagnonsis. if you take your pain and heart out of the equation and think of only what is best for your rudy then to me that is the best decision. albiet not easy for you. my thoughts and prayers are with you and rudy. hugs.

I have had to make that decision twice in the last 5 years. It is very hard but you will know what is best for Rudy even though it will break your heart. Hugs to you .

Having had many dogs in my lifetime, I have had to make that decision at least 5 times. 3 in the past 7 years. It is never easy to decide the right time. The hardest was Gracie who ha a severely collapsed trachea diagnosed at 5 1/2 years of age. After trying all different medicines and treatments for a year, she was struggling to breathe. I took her to my vet knowing that it would probably be the last time. I asked her what she thought and she said she is struggling for every breath and is not enjoying life. I knew what I had to do. I think in our head we know when the time is right but our hearts take a little longer to know. I will keep you and Rudy in my prayers.

I am sorry you are facing this very difficult decision for your precious Rudy. Let your heart and love for him guide you in deciding when to let go and let him be at peace.

I have been in your shoes and it is very, very hard. When I read your post, I get the feeling you already know the answer. You are just not ready to say goodbye. When my golden was very ill, our vet came to the house. Is that an option for you? It made it much easier for him and for us to say goodbye in our own home, where he felt comfortable and safe. It also made our memory of his last moments much easier to handle. I can tell you love him very much.

I dont envy you for your decision I know someday I will most likely be making it too. If a dog lives in pain, struggles to breathe, struggles to survive it is the kindest thing you can do for them to let them go

No one but you can give you that answer, even though I think you know the answer. I have been there, last year twice within 3 months. I listen to my heart. How I feel if I was them what my loving companion would do for me. With my babies it is what is best for them not what I would want. All I could give you is the support of friendship and be there for you in whatever choice you make. (( big hugs ))

So sorry you are going through this. When Lolita got so bad I went through the same thing. She took it out of my hands on the very day we finally made the decision and passed quietly in my arms. It is so very hard. Praying for comfort for you in your decision.

I have only had one dog besides my current one and we had him (a lab humane society mutt) for 13 wonderful years. We made the decision and the appointment and on the scheduled day, he was having a "good day". It was the hardest thing we have ever, ever done. My husband wanted to turn around and go back home since Homer was having a good day, but we knew if we did, Homer would be the one to suffer. He was in severe pain all the time from his arthritis and had gone off his food. He was covered in tumors, which we never had biopsied because of his age and condition, we knew he wouldnt have been a surgical candidate and if it was cancer, we didnt want to spread it any faster. Anyway, he trotted into the vet all happy and started towards the kennel. We were afraid we were making a terrible mistake, but this 100lb dog was down to 65lbs and we knew we had to do it. This was almost 10 years ago and I am crying again, but I know it was the right decision. Did I want to keep him around longer? Hell yeah, I wish he was still here. Is he is a better place? You better believe it. You will know when it is right. You may second guess yourself and continue to miss him for the rest of your life, but you do recover. 5 years later, we got our little Huey and cant imagine how we went 5 years without a dog due to the fear of losing another one. :cry:

How heartbreaking... I'm so sorry for you and for little Rudy. You can only make him comfortable and love him lots & lots. From what I understand you'll know when the time is right if you have to make a choice. ((HUGS)) to you!

I never have to do it, but just read your post my tears just start to come down. They are such a great companion. Its will never be easy. Hugs to you.

I am so very sorry you have reached this time in the relationship with your precious little man. In the back of your mind, you klnow what the outcome is going to be, but your heart is not ready for that path. I tried to make that decision for my Aija, when she seemed she was no longer happy to be alive....I called my vet and they planned to spend the time after the office closes....we go into a special room...all veryloving....I took her and was bawling my heart out, and she looked up at me, like "what are we doing here, lets go home....I am ready for my snack and bed." I was looking in her eyes and she was telling me, she was NOT ready. She was not struggling to breathe and she was in no pain, so that was not an issue for me to get around....she was 16 and just could not get around much, and wanted to sleep most ofthe day...she had congestive heart failure but was managed well with her medicine....I just felt like she was not enjoying life anymore....SHE looked into my face and told me otherwise. So, I did not go thru it and we went home. Aija was with me another 8 months....and one night, she looked into my eyes and the look in those precious eyes told me, "momma, I am tired and I need to go now..."and I held my darling girl continously, on my chest, so my heartbeat would be the last thing she heard, for the next 14 hours, rocking and singing to her, petting her, kissing on her and crying, and she died peacefully in my arms...no struggle, no pain, just tired..... I honestly believe they tell you when they are ready to go....when it is easier for them to let go of this life and cross over, than it is for them to fight to stay, they will look into your eyes and you will know..... I pray for strength and courage and peace for you and your baby boy for the time you have left together....

Hi Ta2rose59 and welcome to YT! I understand exactly what you are feeling. We had to let go of our dear Gretel just after Christmas this past year. It was one of the most difficult thing we have ever had to do. Think is, we had to do this with with our first dog as well.

It never is easy. They give so much of themselves and we are blessed to be part of their lives.

Our Gretel had a cancer found in the blood stream. Our hearts sank. We put her on prednisone and knew we had as few as 5 days to possibly 5 months. When she had more bad days than good, we knew it was time to say goodbye. That was exactly how we decided. Like you we didn't want her to suffer either. What we have always said is that we are only their caretakers and it is a blessing to be part of their lives and there's no way they should ever suffer.

You will know when the time comes. Remember she has taken care of you for a long time. It's your turn to help her through the next phase. Good luck and God bless!! I will pray for you and your Rudy!!

:cry8:I am sitting here crying for you. I'm glad you listened to your baby and knew what to do for her. My heart aches for you.

I pray for comfort for you when you make the decision. These animals become such a part of us. I don't even want to imagine how you must feel. My prayers are with you and your sweet one.

Little Man Rudy
 

Hi, this is Ta2rose59. I recently posted on my little 14 year old man, Rudy. This is a little update. This past week his cough has progressed to the point where it is almost constant. He still walks around a little. But he just does not seem to be happy. Wednesday was a bad day for us. I couldn't get his to eat until about 1 p.m. He threw up all morning and his little belly was so bloated and hard. He felt like he gained 2 pounds overnight. We that finally subsided and he pretty much has just sort of been laying around. I have reached the decision that it's time for mommy to help him cross that rainbow bridge. As I write this I am crying my eyes out. I can't bear the thought of loosing my little man but at the same time, I look at him as a living being. He needs that peace and comfort for himself now. I can't stand the thought of him suffering. Please pray for strength and courage for me this weekend as it will be our last one. Please pray for peace and comfort for him as he begins his journey.

Thank you so much for your support.
Sherri - mommy to Rudy and Gracie

My heart is breaking for you. I am so sorry! I will be praying for you and thinking of you. I have had to make that decision and it is so hard. Hugs to you.

I am so very sorry that you have come to this point in your beloved Rudy's life. You, Rudy and Gracie are in my thoughts and prayers.

I know from experience how painful it is to make the decision you are facing. Your YorkieTalk family is here for you to share in your grief and to relish those happy memories of your beloved Rudy.

My heart goes out to you, it is never an easy decision but it is one we all face at one time or another . We are thinking of you at this difficult time.

Praying for you.

I am crying here reading these posts. I am so sorry for the pain you are feeling. Our little girl, Ashley passed away snuggled in my arms a month shy of her seventeenth birthday. Although she had dementia and other health issues and needed to have 24 hour care, she still had a good quality of life. I still asked my vet to let me know when the time came that I was keeping Ashley alive more because I couldn't bear to give her up than for her needs. I knew it would be heart wrenching for me, but it was something I needed to do. I didn't have to make that decision, but if I had, it would have been because I loved her so much. I am so grateful that she was in my arms when she passed away. She had spent the day before cradled in my husbands arms, as well. You will always love Rudy, and he will remain in your heart forever. After almost two years without a pup in our lives, we welcomed Katie into our heart in May. She has completely stolen our hearts. Ashley and her sisters hold a very special part of our hearts, but Katie has her own special place, too. She takes our breath away and has helped to heal our broken hearts. My heart and prayers are with you and Rudy. I understand how great this loss will be and am here if you need some support.

Follow your heart, sweetie, and know that there are lots of people (many who have not posted because they are crying tears of sympathy for you) who are sending lots of hugs and prayers your way. Your baby knows you love him!

I am so sorry you are having to go through this. My mom just had to go through this. It is never easy, but know that we are all here for you.

Prayers
 

I am sorry you have to make this decision, I had to make it about 7 years ago. I can say that it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I actually made it several times I would set the appointment and then out of no where she would have a really good day she was in allot of pain most of the time from hip dysplasia we had her on pain medication and steroids and at times my husband would have to carry her in and out of the house so that she could go potty. She weighed 80 pounds all muscle

On the day i took her she seemed to be having a fairly good day however the several days before that she had been crying with pain. I had to keep the appointment, as much as I wanted to keep her I didnt want her to cry anymore from the pain. I went in with her and stayed with her til she took her last breath. I could not drive home for some time. I kept thinking on the way there, was I wrong, she was having a good day but when they took us in and the Dr had to pick her up to get on the table she cried and her eyes were so sad I knew that it was the right thing to do for her. Im crying now telling you this but you need to understand that you will know when its time, when that time comes you will be able to make that call to the vet,

We will all be here for you when that time comes. you are in my prayers

Little Man Rudy
 

This hurts so bad. On Sunday, February 17, 2013 little Rudy succumbed to his illness. He had a rough day on Saturday, and it continued into the night and by morning, he just couldn't go any more. He could not breathe without coughing, his little belly was so hard and bloated. He was so miserable. I think he knew what we were doing when we went to the vet. As they gave him his first shot, he became heavily sedated, but before completely going to sleep, he raised his little head, kissed me on the face and looked at me as if to say "thank you mommy". I will never forget that little face, those tear filled eyes, and I was sobbing so hard that I know he knew I was beginning my grieving. My little female yorkie, Gracie seems so lost. She paces the floor, looks up on the bed where he spent his last week and I know she wonders where her best friend went. We are so lost right now, both of us. I can't tell you the number of times I have woken up in the middle of the night to find him, and remember he's waiting on us. I want to thank each and every one of you for your kind words, you helped me to realize it wasn't about me, and my hurt, it was what was the most compassionate and humane thing to do for little Rudy. I will continue to use this site because I have many little stories to share with you about my little girl Gracie. She's so loving and compassionate, especially right now. I know she knows, she just can't tell me. Once again, Thank You to each and every one of you.

Sincerely,
Ta2rose59
Sherri, mommy to little Gracie:aimeeyork

Sherri....my heart breaks for you and I am at a loss for words that would be of comfort. {{Hugs}}

Sherri bless you and sweet Gracie. My prayers are with you. RIP Rudy