MandiesMom | 11-24-2013 08:30 PM | Quote:
Originally Posted by divaxyzz
(Post 4352630)
Thx, everyone. Julio has a congenital heart condition called reverse PDA. His heart doesn't pump correctly and backs up causing sludge. There is a medication that can control it but the disease shortens his life span to 2 to 5 yrs. limited activity. Oh, how he loves to play. I don't know what to do. I have fallen so deeply in love in just three months, but will it be unbearably stressful having a dog you know doesn't have much time - knowing I'm going to lose him? What should I do? I'm devastated. | Only you can make this decision, but I want to share one of my stories with you if I may...
My very first dog (I always had cats) was adopted from the Humane Society. Her name was Prissy and she was a true "mutt". And she was the smartest and most loyal dog around. At about the same age as your little guy, she was diagnosed as having a hole in her heart. This caused one side to work extra hard and gradually enlarged it until it failed.
Prissy was given 2 years to live and I was warned that the more active she was, the more work her heart had to do so...well, you know. This is what you are dealing with.
I made the decision that Prissy would live life fully...no matter what effect that had on longevity. My job was to make her happy while she was here. We lived in the country and she loved chasing animals. It was her favorite thing to do.
She had a pet door to come in and out when she wanted. One night, we heard her bark, then yelp, then nothing. My husband went out and found her. She lived 3 years and she died doing what she loved..she had jumped from the porch to chase something in the night.
I was devastated but I wouldn't trade those years and memories I had with her for anything in this world. Her life was short but it was full of love and joy and I know she was happy. Thinking of her makes me smile everytime.
Hope that story helps in some way... |