my darling is on her last lap - I need a bit of support

[Wordsaremything]

my beloved girl dog is now 17.
We've been together 16 years.
Her back end is going, so incontinence and collapsing happening
I know she's on her last lap
I have a kind and wonderful vet
I do the nursing and clearing up, but I can't get my head around losing her
She has good days and bad days
Today has been not good and reality is hitting
I get up every day and put on my suit , drive to work, and do a responsible professional job and even laugh but am dying inside.
Love you so much Meg darling.

So sorry words. Maybe the time has come to ask the vet for advice? I know its not your usual vet, but to be honest all vets should be trained to handle difficult situations like yours. I do understand completely how difficult it is to actually make that decision and in the end, with my old cat, the vet gently told me it was the best path for her. Be guided by Meg but also by professional advice. I am thinking of you.

And I did not mean any of that to sound harsh Your Meg is so lucky to have such a loving owner by her side. Try and look after yourself.

Sorry too Words . I so understand the flu like feeling and knotty stomach.
Try gentle food like soup or scrambled egg on buttered toast if you can.
You are doing everything you can for Meg in giving her little treats and the comfort of your lap or feet while she sleeps .
As Posie says try not to focus on your own vet being back in time ? Take it day by day if you can . Oh so easy to write but difficult in real life I know.
Meanwhile Meg has lovely treats in her tummy and is snoozing beside her adored owner in her home . So not distressed . Comfy .
You will cope when the time comes my lovely . You will . Keep talking to us if it helps to write ( thinking of your user name ) .

You are all so lovely!

She is slightly better! Still wobbly and her back end keeps going but she pulled on the lead coming home!! Wolfed down a little more steak this evening ( wanted to give her loads but don't want to upset her tum.)

Was nearly crying with relief after the despair of yesterday. Her spirit is so strong. I am working at home tomorrow so will get lots of special time with her.

Ah bless her, she obviously has a fighting spirit! Enjoy your day together tomorrow.

Thinking of you. We lost one of ours last year aged 17/18, having lived with us for 15 years. It is so difficult dealing with The End. We took our old girl to the vets regularly towards the end of her life, really just to check in and make sure we weren't keeping her going for our sakes. What a lovely lovely dog you have.

I've been following the thread and keep checking in to see how your lovely girl is doing.

She is so lucky to have you looking out for her.

Thinking of you both. Make the most of every precious moment

We had a lovely quiet day together today. She managed a short walk into town and enjoyed chicken and chicken stock with her kibble this evening.

Either she's stabilising or I am growing used to the tics and tremors and stumbling, or she is somehow accommodating to the balance issue. Don't know.

Main thing is she is still enjoying life. Feel so much more positive than I did three days ago.

So very pleased to hear that you've both enjoyed your day

Yes, she's still loving life and you must remember every day like today when the going gets tough.

Such a gorgeous girl deserves only the best of love and treats!

That's good news. I hope she remains stable for a good while yet!

Even better today. Growled at the Airedale from round the corner and trotted around quite confidently to ex's place. Polished off several shall meals and played fetch.

Confronted tonight with this from ex : me: what's wrong? Him: I'm angry and upset. you should put her down sooner rather than later.

These photos are a mix of very recent and two or three years old, by the way.

I think that's my favourite

She's so lovely xx

She is gorgeous. Said goodbye to my boy on the 18th April. Shed a little tear most days. Enjoy every second.

She's lovely and I know how hard this is but I do agree with your ex. It's better earlier than later

I don't mean to cause upset but if she's got no bladder control and is suffering tremors and fits then I really wouldn't put this off

My dad said that once our family dog lost her bodily function control and her legs went then it was time as it wasnt fair on her. Im sending big hugs and to you and meg. You have had so many happy years together that you will never forget 💜

That photo is beautiful. Sounds like she's still got her fighting spirit! I understand the difficulty about your final decision. With my cat she could hardly move and couldn't get comfortable, breathing very laboured, swollen abdomen and joints, not eating, toilet accidents - it was time. Your Meg is still getting about and eating so its not clear cut which makes it very hard. I am still thinking of you and your lovely old girl.

Thank you all. Over the last few days the tremors are lessening, the balance is improving and the weeing indoors only happens at night time if she doesn't have access to outside. The other night she used a puppy pad.

It's so hard. I am on my guard against self-delusion, I really am. Had she continued as bad as she was on Sunday, the decision would have been clear cut. It isn't. She has a spark in her still.

You see her all the time, something your ex and randoms on the internet (myself included) don't.

You will make the right decision when the time comes because it is obvious from your posts that you love her and won't want to see her suffer. From what you say though, at the moment she still has a quality of life that outweighs her symptoms.

Just enjoy every moment with her for now

I know mutts and I wasn't being at all critical of anyone . You are all being lovely and it's inevitable there will be different opinions on here depending on our own feelings and experiences.

Today's news is that in contrast to his dire diagnosis last night, ex decided she was so much better today he'd take her on a longer walk than she's had in several weeks - then left her in the house to go shopping and came back to find her distressed. She calmed down anyway and spent the afternoon snoozing.

Her balance seems much improved and tremors have gone. I guess it's finding the right balance of gentle stimulation and interest versus completely overdoing it or not doing enough.

Here she is this evening in a reflective mood and about to have an after dinner snooze (before her light mid evening snack of chicken thigh meat. )

That is good. A spark is a sign of doggie will to continue a while longer I feel. I will keep checking your thread for updates. Take care.

Oh bless her, what a lovely photo, she really is adorable

Today much the same. Her back end is much more flexible again and her tail is wagging side to side like it used to do. One of the saddest things last weekend was how she held it down between her legs. Tremors almost gone, balance much better.

Oh Meg you are such a trooper. Mummy loves you so very much.

Well, last two days have been less good - balance issues are back as are intermittent tremors. Nevertheless, my friend who looks after her for me this pm whilst I went to visit aged mother, said she thought she was much better than last weekend. She's still very alert and will play her favourite game, and go for gentle walks.