emotional support

[ziggystardust]

When do you know when to let go. I have posted a couple of times with no responses. My beloved ginger who I found 9 years ago sitting on the steps of my hospital  and has been my faithful companion and also her other dog buddies has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure in May 09. I have tried everything to slow the progression of her disease from acupuncture to traditional medicine and have tried every food on earth including dog ice cream to colostrum to baby food to raw . you name it. The past week she was only taking small bites of treats and not even this now despite being on appetite stimulants and anti nausea medication. She is skin and bones. She receives sub q intravenous fluids each night. Although she appears to enjoy lying outside she is no longer interacting with her other pals,Her bark is weak and she is lethargic.When do you know when to let them go.It is agonizing and heart breaking. They say the focus is quality of life and yes she still like to be pet and hugged by us and go outside but she is not eating for two days and she is irritable with the other dogs. Her head is also tremulous.I am open to any advise or emotional support. with my otehr dogs it was so clear when to let them go

[Margot49]

Oh, so sorry to read this.  Never an easy path to go down.  
I think we all question ourselves when we make these difficult decisions.  You need to go through the grieving process and realize your decision was the right one.  As hard as it is, I will say again, this often the last act of love and kindness we can do for our beloved companions.
Been down this path too many times and still mourn the losses but I have many happy memories and you will too.
Please look up The Rainbow Bridge poem.  It always gives me comfort.
Hugs to you and I know Abby is running free.

[TwoBitsMom]

Gary....
I am so very sorry to read about Abby. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
What you wrote about her is a beautiful tribute to her and a testimony of your love. I can tell you and Abby were very devoted to each other.
You must have given Abby a wonderful life, and taken such good care of her. 15 years is remarkable. What a lucky dog to live her life with someone who loves her so much.
I do understand your grief and guilt. And yes, it is normal. As difficult as it is for you now, it will get easier. In your heart, you must have known you were doing the right thing, or you never would have done it.
You only always wanted to do what was best for her.
God Bless Abby's Beautiful Spirit and Soul...she is much loved.
Connie

[abbydawn]

Abby - AUG 17 1997 to SEP 28 2012

A friend of mine told me it will be the hardest thing you'll ever have to do, on Sep 28 I had to. Abby had reached the point of very poor mobility, incontinence and loss of weight even though she ate as voraciously as ever. A longer life span than the average Brittany she got to do what she was bred to do and did it well. As a hunting companion as well as a family pet she exceeded on both terms. I'll never forget her unending devotion and will miss her always.

The firrst few days I felt extreme grief from seeing her take that last breath and now I'm feeling guilty. Is this all normal?

[MinPinLover1125]

My baby Dutchess, who will 15 this Thanksgiving, has been with me since she took her first breath.  She is dying of kidney failure.  I can tell she is getting close, as she is refusing to eat, and just sleeping, and just two days ago started hiding under the bed.  I too look into her eyes every day to see if she is ready to go - she is not.  Having had many dogs (MinPins - like my baby Dutchess) it is clear when they are ready to go.  If you are as in-tuned to your dog - or cat - or horse - or whatever - as all of you obviously are - you will just know when it's time.  It's hard to say "I'm going to take you to the vet today and end your life."  But it's harder to say, "I'm going to keep you here with me because 'I' can't live without you, regardless of how much you are suffering."  Having gone through the 2-year process of my mother dying of cancer, I know without a doubt that the soul will reach out to you and tap you on your shoulder when your sitting quiet, and tell you that it's okay.  The pain stops, and they are at peace.  Just trust your heart.  Love to you all.  

[ginger899]

This site looks good. It gives you a lot of info. about homeopathic care for dogs. There is an option to ask the Holistic vet questions, and this did sound like a good service offered (but it is based on paid subscription) However, it didn't sound too expensive at 2 options I could make out: one option was $7.75 and the other $9.95

http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/homeopathy-for-dog.html

[ziggystardust]

Thank you fpr all your feedback and support and I am sending my love and prayers out there to all of you. Does anyone know of a specific on line group which is for chronic renal failure in dogs that is more medically based. I know there is a few doctors on this blog. I have specific questions to ask such as my dog was just started on remeron as a last attempt since prednisone and megace failed to stimulate her appetite and what time should this medication be administered. My vet states another one of the vets uses it in cats but there has been some research that it has been very helpful with dogs. she is also on compazine and cernenia. At one point I had found a great site for homeopathic and holistic information for animal owners with the name earth in it but stupidly did not write it down and can not find it. Today she would not even eat her flounder she loves but was outside barking at people and sniffing the air with a contented look on her face.