Losing a dog friend.

[LeftyStrat]

I made some garam marsala roast chicken, and a strange made-up vindaloo curry risotto (with home made chicken broth). Apparently the smells in the house were irresistible, because Chuang Tzu actually showed interest in food. He ate three or four pieces of chicken (he actually begged for them). Now he's drinking water, and it's music to my ears.

This is the first time in a week and a half he's shown any interest in food, and his water intake has been so small he has to have daily IV's to rehydrate him.

So don't count him out yet.

I'm a happy camper right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTv1Dmu5CYc&feature=kp

Guess my daughters set up a Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chuang-Tzu/117048527972

[eniam rognab]

great news lefty! hope it continues to progress, even though they cant talk, i feel like i can understand them, at least my own girly.

eating is a great sign! he could have just been sick or something and is coming around

(~~positive dawggie vibes~~)
neal

[Phil_S]

Well, my dog snapped back several times from not eating. I'm sure you're happy to see this and I hope he'll be with you for a while longer.

[deeder]

That sounds good Come on Chuang Tzu !!

[LeftyStrat]

Well, my dog snapped back several times from not eating. I'm sure you're happy to see this and I hope he'll be with you for a while longer.

Yeah, we're still not out of the woods. I get another blood test report today, to see if the meds are working. I'm just happy he's eating. I'd rather him pass away from the kidney damage, than starve to death.

Just want his last moments to be as pleasurable as possible.

[vibratoking]

I am sorry and I empathize with your predicament. It's a shitty place to be. I have been in similar situations with a few of my dogs. It's always hard to make the decision to put them down. I can say that in each case, I probably let my love for my friend cloud that decision. Also, in each case, I have looked back and had some regret that I didn't make that decision sooner. My instincts are to hold on just a little to tightly. Just presenting my experience. All the best to you and your puppy.

[Structo]

Hi Lefty,

I just wanted to let you know how much I feel your sorrow about Chuang Tzu.

We went through the same thing with our Tanner.

The mistake we made was waiting long to let him go.

When we finally did go to the vet (who is an awesome dude) his veins were so collapsed that he could hardly find a vein to put the medicine in.

It was horrible when Tanner started whimpering.
It was the longest 30 seconds of my life.

Renal failure is fatal so I just thought I would share my experience.
Like you, we though he was improving but it was a false hope.

In the end, I thought we should have spared him the suffering which was apparent.

God Bless you and Chuang Tzu.

I do believe you will see him again in afterlife.

Sincerely, Tom

[cbass]

7 is way to young .im pretty drumk now so it dontnhurt to much but I haven't commented cause I can't even stand to think about taking that final walk with my bubba he's about ten and still gets around good but his arthritis acts up some times.
The last dog I had to put down had a brain tumor that was causing seizures. The pressure started causing her eye to bulge . the vet said it would have eventually pushed her eye out of its socket
Why is it that we won't let a dog suffer a painful indignant death but its OK for people?

[Phil_S]

Why is it that we won't let a dog suffer a painful indignant death but its OK for people?

We all ought to move to the Netherlands where it's legal for people, too. How is it that the Dutch managed to get this one right?

[kkregsg]

Thoughts and prayers to you, your family, and your furry (wrinkly.
?) friend. A good dog adds so much joy to life.

[LeftyStrat]

Thanks everyone. Apparently the blood tests may take a couple more days.

Tom, I know what you're talking about. I had to put down my wife's dog Foster. He had gotten so old, I think he had dementia. He had been a protector and friend to our kids, but he began to snap at them, and you could tell he was in pain.

It's a hard balancing act. A couple of days ago when I walked him, I almost had to drag him around the block. Today my son walked him and said he was back to his old self, smelling every flower on his walk. Yes, this crazy dog likes to smell flowers.

[Phil_S]

Dogs will smell anything. I'd take this as a good sign. Keep a close eye. You'll know when things aren't right.

I could never understand what attracted Frankie's interest. How I miss those walks and now I feel sad I was impatient at times.

[Scumback Speakers]

My dog Bear went thru the exact same thing as LeftyStrat's pooch. He was diagnosed with slowly degenerating kidneys/renal failure symptoms, and he had occasional seizures from it.

He made it another two years and four months after the blood tests. He started to get a little worse 19 months later and the vet gave us our choice...A) put him on meds that cost $6-700 per month and he'd make it another 8-9 months, but it would instantly change his personality, etc.

Or B) let him live naturally and he'd make it another 4-5 months and be his usual self until his organs started to shut down and he couldn't poop anymore.

We chose B. The last two days were pretty bad, and when he couldn't poop anymore one morning, he gave me "the look". I knew he didn't want to be here anymore, so we scheduled the vet visit, took him to his three favorite beach spots to walk, pee and poop, then took him the vet to have him put down.

I'm tearing up as I type this, so I'm going to sign off, but basically I think your pooch is in the same situation as my dog was, Lefty. Good luck with whatever you decide, and hug your dog as often as you can!

[Structo]

My dog Tanner also had seizures a few times before the end.

[LeftyStrat]

I got the blood tests back, his kidney function is worse even after a week on meds. Doctor said there wasn't anything more he could do. He's alert right now and likes getting petted. But as soon as I see him suffering in the bit, I'll have him put down.

In the mean time everyone in the family knows he doesn't have long, and the kids are showering him with attention.

I want thank all of you for your support, and I have deep gratitude to those who've shared your own stories. It helps to hear from others who have gone through similar experiences.