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.

Have just been reading your updates. Sorry to hear some of the problems are back. I guess you will have good and bad days, its great that you can still enjoy games and walks, and Meg has a nice quality of life still.

I am wondering if she's also hypo glycaemic. - poss as a result of other undiagnosed issues. I have looked back over my posts and realised her sudden improvement co incided with me giving her lots of little 'treat ' meals . This weekend I haven't been able to do that so much ( practicalities intruding).

Got home from aged mother and she was very dithery. Fed usual meal, toilett d etc but still she wouldn't settle. I think she was still hungry so she had a little grated cheese. Then a few hours later I gave a small portion of tuna mixed with a tiny ( eighth of a teaspoon tiny) portion of manuka honey and kibble and she wolfed down the lot and has settled again.

Maybe small more frequent meals will help her.

I also meant to say thank you all , especially posie and mutts for your kindness, in keeping up with my updates. I am trying to look after myself too, but finding it very hard. Am so overwhelmingly tired.

I made the most difficult heart breaking decision two weeks ago to ease the pain, distress and suffering for not only my dog....but my best friend.....

He had been my life for nine years...constantly at my side.....we tried all that was available for Oscar regarding treatment, operation, medication....undivided attention to the point of exhaustion which I would do over again in a heart beat....I would give anything to see my lil man.......both myself and my husband are bereft.....so many memories of him all over the house....

I have to collect his ashes from the vet tomorrow.....the vet has been caring and supportive throughout....not sure if I am able to drive there.....where do I put what is now left of my lil man when I bring him home....

I did what I thought was best for Oscar.....he had no quality of life, probably scared at times, struggled to breathe and totally exhausted......it was certainly not the best choice for me.....

You are not being fair to the dog.......it's unbearable to leave the dog at the vet, the house is quiet, lonely and a big part of your life will be gone.....you have to be strong and do the best thing for the dog and put her to rest....please.....don't mean to sound harsh but what you are doing is cruel.....

Words, I have nothing to offer other than my sympathies. I'm squeezing my own dog here (7years) whose mortality I'm becoming increasingly aware of. The fact she's still enjoying nice food and the occasional walk/play - plus time with you- shows she still has things she lives for. Well done and bring so strong and continuing on with work, although I'm sure you have to. X

Words you are most welcome, you are going through a very difficult time, and you are taking great care of Meg during her final days. Foreverandalways with the greatest of respect, you have talked a lot about your own experience and then criticised OP for her choices - you know nothing of her individual situation. OP posted for support at this difficult time and if you cannot offer that then please do not post on the thread.
As you were words

forever I am so sorry for the pain and agony you are going through. I can only imagine.
But please , for the he love of doG don't call me cruel.
My dog is declining but her condition seems to wax and wane. I am doing all I can to make her comfortable and prepare myself for the inevitable.
I am a lot of things. But I am not cruel to my darling dog.

Words, I've been lurking.
You will know when the time is right, of course you will.
That is all anyone who loves their pet can do.

Words pay no attention. You only have to read through the thread to see how much love and care you are giving Meg, forevers post has made me upset and angry on your behalf. Just ignore, and carry on doing what you know is best.

Words I have just popped back to say, please keep posting updates, don't let a stupid insensitive poster put you off, I will keep coming back to check your thread. And any more nonsense from other posters I shall report!
Hope Meg is doing OK today. Mine is right, you know your dog best of all.

Been thinking of you and Meg Words . Yes she is slowing down but enjoying small tasty bites when she is up for it bless her . Interested in short outings . Her quality of life is still there OP .
Got me thinking of my Meg and smiling . Her nose went into overdrive when chicken was cooking . She loved to lick out the empty yoghurt pots . I always promised her ( while not tripping over her nose to oven) that one day she would have a whole chicken to herself and a yoghurt . In small portions obviously .
The day came when getting any food down and enjoyed was a victory . So she got her tiny cubes of chicken breast eventually ..plus yoghurt on my fingers when she was ailing .
Lots of us understand how you feel . Hope you are managing to eat little and often too OP .

Hello! we had a lovely day yesterday. Took Meg to one of her favourite spots and she had that big grin on you can see from the photos! Bumbled around , sniffing and having a whale of a time. Then we popped into town and lots of people admired her and asked about her. I also saw a puppy who looked as I imagine she did as a tiny puppy. She was about 12 months old when I adopted her.

Today I took as hol as well and we've had a lovely day together. The 'favourite things little and often ' diet seems to be doing her good. She chased off the cat earlier when she showed too much interest in tonight's gourmet dinner (of roast chicken thigh meat, a little of her usual dog meat, grated cheese a chantenay carrot and kibble soaked in chicken juices. )

I feel a bit less anxious than I did and am trying to eat sensibly again. Thanks for all your supportive words and encouragement.

basset I know what you mean about nose going into overdrive! Roasting chicken is like a siren call to her!

Ah chicken the siren call . I could read my Megs mind . " chicken skin ,chicken skin pleeeese you need to lose weight ....DONT put it in the bin "
Lovely pic Words and very pleased you have had a lovely day with her .
Fabulous meaty treats too.

I ate the skin .Ever since I gave boy dog lots of skin following his entreaties I've been wary of giving it as a treat. He was so extravagantly sick afterwards and it smelled so rank I've never forgotten it. Dog sick and cat sick is normally fairly odourless I m e - but not that time. Have never given it since despite the Googly eyes and deliberately getting under your feet routine

Ah words just seen your updates! She looks so happy in that picture. And obviously still has a fighting spirit to chase off the cat, you go for it Meg

She's so cute. Still looks full of life in that pic. What s lucky girl she is to have you as her human!

So pleased to hear that your lovely girl is doing well. She couldn't, and wouldn't want to, do any of the stuff you are describing if she wasn't still enjoying life so pay no attention to anyone on here who doubts that.

You love her to bits but it is very clear from your posts that, however devastatingly difficult it will be for you, you will absolutely do the right thing for her when the time comes.

Thankfully that time is not yet here and long may it continue

Just wondering how things are with Meg, hope she's still fighting and you are still enjoying time together.

Hello you kind people. Sorry for the long delay. All pretty much the same, good days and less good days, but the good continue to outweigh the bad, and she is eating healthily. I am taking her for a check up on Saturday, to see what my vet thinks, and I am keeping in touch by email too. She agrees with what I'm doing so far. I will let you all know what she says.

Here's a slightly older pic of the Megster among the bluebells.

That's good news words and also good that you are able to keep in touch with the vets. I love that picture among the bluebells. I am going on holiday on Sat and may not have good wifi, but will pop back in when I can to see if any updates. Take care.

Thanks posie . Woofs to you and have a lovely holiday. X

Thank you

Hope Meg is doing ok. Let us know how your visit to the vet goes.