Time to let her go.
Discussion
CAPP0 said:
Really sorry to hear, OP. I know that in the very near future I will need to write EXACTLY the same as your post with only the name changed 
My old girl is currently happy, calm and comfortable but she has a veritable shopping list of underlying conditions, all of which are currently manageable but won't be for ever. Each time she's ill (this last weekend a case in point) I think that it may be time but then she gets through it and perks up again. I know that won't last forever, and I know that I'll be in bits come the day. Good luck, think back on all the lovely times you've had together and the great life you have given her.
I wonder if I am CAPPO - I have almost exactly the same problem! My 13yo Spring Collie was mugged by a GSD on Monday - and mine won! The GSD isn't malicious and actually loves my dog (both b My old girl is currently happy, calm and comfortable but she has a veritable shopping list of underlying conditions, all of which are currently manageable but won't be for ever. Each time she's ill (this last weekend a case in point) I think that it may be time but then she gets through it and perks up again. I know that won't last forever, and I know that I'll be in bits come the day. Good luck, think back on all the lovely times you've had together and the great life you have given her.
hes), but we were walking past HER gate! However, the "attack" hasn't helped my dog's arthritic joints.I share OP's grief and was just saying to the neighbour that I shed a lot of tears when a pet dies, but never shed a tear when Father died and only an odd "frog in the throat" when Mother died. The neighbour said much the same - he is hopeless when pets die (and that will include my dog!).
Be thankful that you have had the company of a good friend and remember that she has had a good and loving home with you - she will thank you for helping her when she needs it most.
Well I have to say I feel a bit of a fraud. Within an hour of taking her to the vet Petra rallied and her breathing settled. No idea why.
She has eaten something and is interested in treats and a ball so our trip to the vets meant we cam home with a dog and more antibiotics.
Even the Vet cannot believe how much more life she has.
So for now
She has eaten something and is interested in treats and a ball so our trip to the vets meant we cam home with a dog and more antibiotics.
Even the Vet cannot believe how much more life she has.
So for now
This update 
tdm34 said:
Really feel for you mate, last year we had to take Chica because of a brain tumour, and it took months to get over it, she was such a characterful little moggie....
But a few months back we ventured out to the local rehoming center where we happened upon this mini-panther
This is Treacle
She'll never replace Chica, but she's charmed her way into our affections, it'll be raw for a while but after a while you'll know when you can start again and give a home to a new GSD....
Delighted that you chose to get another cat. It's a hard decision after losing one (though often, one simply turns up anyway....I think an agency sends them).
But a few months back we ventured out to the local rehoming center where we happened upon this mini-panther
This is Treacle
She'll never replace Chica, but she's charmed her way into our affections, it'll be raw for a while but after a while you'll know when you can start again and give a home to a new GSD....
She looks fantastic as well.
Tyre Tread said:
Well I have to say I feel a bit of a fraud. Within an hour of taking her to the vet Petra rallied and her breathing settled. No idea why.
She has eaten something and is interested in treats and a ball so our trip to the vets meant we cam home with a dog and more antibiotics.
Even the Vet cannot believe how much more life she has.
So for now
I am delighted to hear that. It doesn't often happen this way.She has eaten something and is interested in treats and a ball so our trip to the vets meant we cam home with a dog and more antibiotics.
Even the Vet cannot believe how much more life she has.
So for now
On reading the first post I did not expect a happy ending....
Excellent news. It's an emotional roller coaster for you though! I would imagine that the dog would have sensed your anxiety and been worried that she was coming to her end - so she will be much happier too.
My dear old Sasha is up and down, but certainly not ready to go yet. I suspect the problem for both OP and me is that we both know the end is near and, as we think about that, we fear every "minor" problem is the "big one".
We just have to enjoy the love and trust while we can - and long may it last!
My dear old Sasha is up and down, but certainly not ready to go yet. I suspect the problem for both OP and me is that we both know the end is near and, as we think about that, we fear every "minor" problem is the "big one".
We just have to enjoy the love and trust while we can - and long may it last!
Glad to hear Petra is doing fine.
Don't worry we were in that position last week. Milly our 14yr old Corgi X was not eating, staring into space and really not with it. She has liver cancer and gone senile.
We took her to the vet and he said those dreaded words... THEN he suggested a blood test to see what was really going on.
She is now on 500mg a day penicillin amongst other things and is now running around like a puppy!
All that snotting and howling for nothing.
Dogs, who would have em eh?
BTW: This thread is useless without pics!!
Don't worry we were in that position last week. Milly our 14yr old Corgi X was not eating, staring into space and really not with it. She has liver cancer and gone senile.
We took her to the vet and he said those dreaded words... THEN he suggested a blood test to see what was really going on.
She is now on 500mg a day penicillin amongst other things and is now running around like a puppy!
All that snotting and howling for nothing.
Dogs, who would have em eh?
BTW: This thread is useless without pics!!
Edited by Morningside on Thursday 17th April 19:49
That's great news TT! I really do know exactly how you feel - about 6 weeks ago I had to ask the vet to come to the house because I was certain it was "that time". MrsC came home from work to say goodbye, and I spent the morning with v runny eyes. Due to surgery hours, the vet couldn't come for a few hours; literally, genuinely, 5 minutes before the vet arrived, Duffy got up, mooched around and wanted something to eat. I think the vet was just as pleased as we were! I was sure that it was DM but it turned out it was the start of "old dog" vestibular syndrome; she's had three attacks in total now but seems to cope with them and we understand what's going on now. She has other issues too but all under control at present.
Duff was also a rescue with zero history or background, but we do know that we've made sure that the second half of her life has been as good as we could make it. In the past we have left her with someone while we've had a summer holiday but this year have decided to stay in the UK and she'll be coming with us. Can't be thinking about anything happening and us being away.
When they get to old age AND they have health issues, it can feel like a bit of a time-bomb, but (and I didn't want to say this earlier!) we had a lovely walk in the sun today, Duff was cantering around as best as her stiff hind legs will allow, with a silly grin on her chops, and we both came home happy. Hope you get many more great days with Petra!
Duff was also a rescue with zero history or background, but we do know that we've made sure that the second half of her life has been as good as we could make it. In the past we have left her with someone while we've had a summer holiday but this year have decided to stay in the UK and she'll be coming with us. Can't be thinking about anything happening and us being away.
When they get to old age AND they have health issues, it can feel like a bit of a time-bomb, but (and I didn't want to say this earlier!) we had a lovely walk in the sun today, Duff was cantering around as best as her stiff hind legs will allow, with a silly grin on her chops, and we both came home happy. Hope you get many more great days with Petra!
Thanks for all the good wishes.
Rest assured that this was not a panicky owner false alarm as Petra has been on borrowed time for some time as she has lung issues (Bullae on one lung and a tumour in the other compounded by a persistent infection and a cyst) The vet reckons she has about 20-30% normal lung capacity.
Even the vet was amazed at the difference compared to our visit yesterday.
Tonight she has taken lots of treats but turned her nose up at her dinner - mind you a tin of pilchards resolved that problem and she is now a well fed 12 year old pup
Rest assured that this was not a panicky owner false alarm as Petra has been on borrowed time for some time as she has lung issues (Bullae on one lung and a tumour in the other compounded by a persistent infection and a cyst) The vet reckons she has about 20-30% normal lung capacity.
Even the vet was amazed at the difference compared to our visit yesterday.
Tonight she has taken lots of treats but turned her nose up at her dinner - mind you a tin of pilchards resolved that problem and she is now a well fed 12 year old pup
One feels like such a fraud taking them to the vet for 'that' time, only for them to perk up again. 
However, as I'm sure you know, you've had a respite.
'That' day will come, and when it does, it's the kindest thing you could do for a faithful friend.
Enjoy the time you have left, make a fuss, and spoil her rotten.
However, as I'm sure you know, you've had a respite.
'That' day will come, and when it does, it's the kindest thing you could do for a faithful friend.
Enjoy the time you have left, make a fuss, and spoil her rotten.
We had to do this last year with Humphrey; 11 yo Pug, however it wasn't planned, we just knew that morning that it was his time, we knew for a year or so leading up to that day he was on borrowed time and every day was a bonus.
He had had a good life and considering that the vet said he wouldn't see 10 he did very well, it is hard however it is the right thing and you know it is time, not a day goes by when I don't think of him.
Thinking of you as I type this.
He had had a good life and considering that the vet said he wouldn't see 10 he did very well, it is hard however it is the right thing and you know it is time, not a day goes by when I don't think of him.
Thinking of you as I type this.
Jasandjules said:
Also, and I know this is a bit horrible to say at this point in the circumstances, but you can get a vet to come to you when it is time.
The animal is far more relaxed and I think it is far less stressful for them.
Totally agree.The animal is far more relaxed and I think it is far less stressful for them.
When I lost my cat a couple of years back, I did not want his last moments to be fear, being in some place he didn't know.
The vet came out to my house and he died on the table where he used to sleep.
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