[NAGDU] Update On My Girl

[Cindy Ray]

Quality of life: Is she in a lot of pain with the limp? That's probably not
an issue. Kidney failure produces poison. She'll get sicker and suffer--not
eating, maybe dehydration, vomiting. This is not what you really want for
her.

I am not Tracy, and my dog, Sonja, was not a guide, but when she was too
weak to keep herself clean--that was when I made the decision. My
ex-husband's dog had cancer. When he reached the point he had blood in his
urine and nothing was really making him better we, knowing that he wouldn't
get well, put him down though he was still sometimes lively when the meds
took their full and temporary effect. You are the only person who can decide
from what you are seeing in the dog if the time has come. If it has, sit
with her as much as you can, cuddle her, say loving words to her, including
how much you care for her, and then take her. It will not be easier for you
to do whether it is tomorrow or next month. It is one of the hardest
decisions we make, partly because of the power in our hands. But consider
all the things you see in her and decide if she has a quality of life and
if, in spite of your love for her, you can let her go if she doesn't. You
are in my prayers, Dani, and anyone else who is facing this issue right now
is as well.
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, May 8, 2017 9:13 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Update On My Girl

Hi Dani.
I'm very sorry to hear your girl is so ill.
If she was doing well on Previcox, is it possible to try that again?

I've had to put 3 dogs to sleep.  It's very hard.  I do my best to figure
out if my dog is still enjoying life.  If I think Yes, I wait.  If I think
No, I let him or her go.  It's an awful decision to have to make.  I try
hard to put my dog's needs first, when I have to think about the end.
Sending good thoughts your way.
Tracy

> Hi, Everyone.
> Peg was on Deremaxx and her limp seemed more pronounced, she seemed 
> more anxious, and wasn't right digestively. I asked the doctor what 
> the other alternative was, and she said I could either go back to 
> Previcox or try Rimadyl. I opted for the Rimadyl, though she did well 
> on the Previcox.
>
> She's been on the new meds for a week, but her appetite's been sketchy 
> at best. She threw up Sunday night and Monday morning, and doc put her 
> on a bland diet. She ate willingly, but I had to make homemade broth 
> and rice--she wouldn't touch the canned stuff.
>
> Her loss of appetite started Thursday, though she drank water and 
> wanted to go out. She didn't seem dehydrated, but by Saturday I was 
> worked something was up. David took her to the vet and we found out 
> that her kidneys are functioning at 25 percent. She's being given 
> fluids at home, is drinking, and hardly eats.
>
> We take her back to the vet tomorrow, but David and I talked about 
> needing to let her go. She's herself mentally, but not physically.
> It's been hard to watch her not eat, and I can't see having to watch 
> her starve herself just so selfish Dani can keep her girl around.
>
> I'm trying to write this without crying, but it hits hard at 
> unexpected moments. What did I not see? She's been on kidney diet food 
> since December, and doc says kidney failure comes in older dogs.
>
> She's lived a good long life, has been, and still is faithful, and 
> will always be my girl. Tight-fisted Dani wants to squeeze every last 
> moment she can get with Peg. Am I being mean to keep her around? Will 
> I be a bad Mom to put her to sleep just because she won't be able to 
> eat and things will get harder for her, bah the no-pain-for-CRF-thing.
>
> All of this to ask you guys to hold your babies close, love them long, 
> and love them hard.
>
> More Later,
> Dani, rambling, struggling with herself, grateful for your support
>
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